A few years ago, I found myself standing amidst the shards of my own expectations. Being laid off from my job felt like a sudden fracture, a crack running through not only my career but also my sense of stability. As the primary earner in my household, I worried deeply about how we would make it through. And just as I was grappling with this uncertainty, my husband was also laid off. We were both out of work, both unsure of what would come next.

It was in this brokenness that I found my opportunity to rebuild—not just to patch things up but to reconstruct with intention. I began asking myself the hard questions: What did I truly want? What were my non-negotiables? How could this experience become a catalyst for launching my coaching business?

Through this exploration, I flipped my “don’t wants” into “wants.” I practiced daily gratitude, not just as a ritual but as a tool to shift my perspective. I focused on forgiveness, allowing me to release the anger and find peace. And through it all, I began to support others—coworkers, clients, and friends—guiding them through their own transitions.

Just like Kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with gold, my journey taught me that my cracks were not weaknesses. They were the spaces where wisdom and strength could shine through. Now, I carry this understanding into my work, helping others pick up the pieces of their lives and transform them into something beautiful, resilient, and whole.

I encourage you to reflect: What pieces of your life feel broken, and how might you reconstruct them with intention? Embrace your cracks—they are part of your masterpiece.