January 21, 2021

A few months ago, I was searching on the Internet for new and different ways we can repair ourselves.  And I came across a word I had never heard before: Kintsugi.  I was curious and began researching and learned that Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, we can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art.

We know that every break in something tangible is unique. But instead of repairing an item, such as a treasured bowl, to make it like new, this 400-year-old Japanese technique actually highlights the scars, the broken lines, as a part of the design.

And then I learned that we can use Kintsugi as a metaphor for embracing our own personal flaws and imperfections to heal ourselves — teaching us an important lesson.  Sometimes in the process of repairing things that have broken, we actually create something more unique, more beautiful, more resilient.

As a people, we surely do need metaphors and objects to understand the art of healing. Kintsugi reveals how we can heal and shows us that we are better with and because of each one of our golden cracks.

Whether we are experiencing the loss of a loved one or a job, or are recovering from a divorce or an injury or other personal tragedy, Kintsugi can be a way to reframe hardships, reminding us that we are not victims of our circumstances. Kintsugi can help us come out the other side stronger, more resilient.

Here’s the notecard I recently created using Kintsugi as the subject.  You can find these on my website.

A counselor once told me that we won’t realize our full potential until we plow through the tough times. She believes that Kintsugi wellness, the Japanese art of nourishing our mind, body, and spirit, takes work and awareness in order for it to truly be healing.

So, if needed, begin your work.