Human beings are inherently imperfect. That’s why we lean on one another and live as what’s often called “social animals.” Ironically, though, we are constantly pressured to become perfect. We push ourselves, discipline ourselves, and strive to get closer to an ideal version of who we think we should be. But is this really the right direction? In the chapter “Spheres, Seasons, Choices, and Seeing with Soft Eyes” from A Portrait of Someone, college students are portrayed struggling to become “perfect spheres.” One piece that stands out is Jang Seo-yi’s essay, The State of Being Less Than a Person, which invites us into a deep reflection on this very issue. Jang describes herself as being in a “less-than-a-person” state—falling short of the vague standard of what it means to be “fully human.” She candidly shares the anxiety, confusion, and self-loathing she experienced in that state. But eventually, she comes to a realization: even the incomplete version of herself is still her—and that alone is enough. Because we are imperfect, we seek growth. And in the process of filling in what’s missing, we find joy and a sense of achievement. She likens this process to building a snow globe: “Right now, my snow globe is just a few objects short of the one I want. So I’m happily adding new ones.” In other words, the joy lies not in having a perfectly complete snow globe, but in the act of adding to it—bit by bit. Too often, we believe that only once we become a perfect “sphere” do we have value. But even the rough, unfinished version of ourselves—the “incomplete me”—deserves just as much respect. Growth isn’t always smooth or complete. Sometimes, it's through our gaps and our moments of shakiness that we discover the most authentic direction for ourselves. Right now, in this very moment, all of us are still works in progress. So rather than obsessing over perfection, perhaps we should start learning how to love ourselves—just as we are.