What If You Are Not Broken?

Mar 2

Editor’s Note (February 2026): I refreshed this post because the message is timeless.

How many of us have wondered—at least at some point—if we were broken?

Wondered if we were more broken than others?

Perhaps we are all broken… and therefore not broken at all.

Just human.

My yoga class last weekend was dedicated to exploring this idea—and growing a little more self-compassion.

Self-compassion starts with how you speak to yourself

Self-compassion begins by choosing to no longer be mean to yourself.

Choosing to stop putting yourself down.

Choosing to stop asking, “What is wrong with me?”

Letting go of these old habits creates space.

And in that space… transformation begins.

I often call it expanding the “stuck space” behind your heart.

When that space opens, you feel a little lighter.
A little more buoyant.

It’s the beginning of kindness and self-acceptance.

And—physiologically—more full diastole.

More capacity to nourish and grow your heart… and you… and your relationships.

When you stop fighting your humanity, you begin to see it differently.

Your cracks are what let the light in.

The light leads to seeing—
and no longer bumping around in the dark.

And the sunshine brings warmth.

When you can see things, you can choose what to do next.

Sometimes the change is your thoughts.

Sometimes it’s something else.

And perhaps what you initially perceived as “brokenness” is actually strength.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken bowls with gold.

The bowl becomes more valuable and more beautiful because of the cracks—because of what it has survived and how it has been repaired.

Coaching can be like that.

Human struggle, fear, and self-doubt are part of being human.

Showing up for them with compassion, intention, and choice is the gold.

And there will always be more cracks… and more gold ahead.

As long as you are human.

If this lands in your relationship life, my Mindful Love Program starts March 5:

If you want personal support and deeper coaching, learn more about 1:1 coaching .

You can also practice with the yoga class that inspired this reflection here.

Jessie Mahoney