Kintsugi: Embracing Imperfection

Kintsugi, the gold repair method from the East, involves rejoining broken porcelain pieces with lacquer and adorning the cracks with gold powder. I've always been fascinated by this technique and have even used it to restore damaged porcelain objects in my home. . While repairing them, I started thinking about overcoming personal difficulties and learning how to mend myself in an imperfect world.

As I watched the golden lines trace new patterns across the once-shattered porcelain, it dawned on me that these very fractures, now illuminated, could serve as a metaphor for our own emotional wounds. The process of patiently reassembling what was broken—accepting each fragment, honouring its place, and transforming scars into something unique—mirrored the kind of compassion and acceptance I yearned to offer myself. In embracing the visible reminders of our pain, we might begin to see that healing does not mean erasing the past, but rather allowing it to become an integral part of a stronger, more beautiful whole.

The process of self-healing is often lengthy and challenging, requiring individuals to confront internal pain and reflect on past difficulties. It involves acknowledging and accepting personal wounds and experiences without allowing them to define one’s identity. Rather than concealing pain or adversity, individuals may draw strength from these challenges, much like porcelain adorned with gold repairs—where scars become a feature of resilience and growth.

In this way, self-compassion becomes the gold that binds our fractured selves, encouraging us to approach our own vulnerabilities with gentleness and curiosity rather than judgement. Over time, we come to realize that these visible reminders of our healing are not flaws to be hidden, but evidence of our capacity to adapt and persevere. Each experience, whether joyful or painful, contributes to our evolving story—reminding us that what once seemed irreparable can ultimately give rise to a life marked by authenticity and quiet strength.

Jing Liu, R. Psych