Beauty in the Broken

We all encounter moments when life leaves us feeling shattered…broken beyond repair. And so many of us try to hide our cracks. But what if we learned to just embrace them as a part of our story? Kintsugi, which literally means “golden joinery,” is the traditional Japanese technique of repairing ceramics with lacquer and a metal powder that is usually made from gold, silver, or platinum. Instead of disguising the cracks, this process highlights them, transforming what was once broken into something even more beautiful and valuable. This serves as a visual record of the object’s history. There are so many valuable lessons that can be learned from this centuries-old art form.

Embracing Imperfection

One of the key principles of kintsugi is wabi-sabi—the appreciation of imperfection and impermanence. Kintsugi reminds us that our scars are not something to be ashamed of. They are proof of our growth, resilience, and the journey we have traveled. We cannot erase our past. And healing does not require that we do so. Healing means integrating all of our experiences (painful and joyful alike) into the fabric of who we are. And through our healing process, we become stronger, more unique, and more deeply connected to ourselves.

Healing Takes Time

The process of kintsugi is very time-consuming; a single repair can take months. It’s a very intentional process that takes a great deal of patience. The same goes for emotional healing. There are no quick fixes or short cuts. It requires time, self-compassion, and support. Each step taken, no matter how small, is a part of your transformation. And you can emerge from your struggles with a newfound sense of beauty and strength.

Your Scars Tell a Story

Every hardship, heartache, disappointment, and failure leaves a mark. But these are marks of perseverance, not signs of weakness. Honor your struggles. Kintsugi teaches us that we are not defined by what has broken us but how we choose to rebuild. The fractures in your life aren’t flaws; they are places where healing has taken place. So the next time you feel broken, remember that healing is not necessarily about returning to who you were before. It’s about becoming someone even more whole—someone whose story shines through the cracks.

“Expansion” by Paige Bradley