18/07/2026
There is a beautiful Japanese art form called kintsugi—the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold.
Rather than hiding the cracks, they are illuminated.
The object isn’t valued despite having been broken. It is valued because its story has become part of its beauty.
Kintsugi is rooted in the philosophy of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and the authenticity of a life fully lived.
I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately and relating to it as a metaphor for my own life.
If you’ve wondered why I’ve been so quiet here on social media, it’s because this Year of the Fire Horse has certainly lived up to its reputation for bringing profound transformation.
Alongside several unexpected and deeply painful plot twists, I’ve found myself starting a new chapter of life in a new home while transitioning into the challenges and joys of single motherhood once again.
In one of life’s little ironies, since moving into this house at the beginning of May, an astonishing amount of crockery and pottery has been accidentally broken—including the plant pot pictured here. It almost feels as though life has been placing little kintsugi lessons in my path, reminding me that broken things are not necessarily ruined, and that even the pieces can become part of something stronger, more meaningful, and more beautiful.
The past several months have stretched me in ways I never anticipated. They have invited me to let go of what was, embrace what is, and begin trusting what is still unfolding.
I’m not "through it" yet.
I’m still riding alternating waves of grief and relief. Some days feel incredibly heavy, and I retreat into my shell. Others are filled with hope and possibility, so I venture back into the world. I’m being reminded that healing is a circuitous journey, not a static destination.
But little by little, the pieces are finding their way back together.
One of the greatest gifts during this season has been community. Friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, and even strangers have shown up with extraordinary kindness. Their love has reminded me that we were never meant to carry life’s burdens alone, even when our pain tricks us into believing that we are. That love and kindness have become the gold filling the cracks.
In one of life’s most beautiful ironies, I’ve found myself becoming quite literally Grounded here in Rye—through coffee and conversation, building community, supporting coaching clients, and teaching meditation, mindfulness, and movement. As I help others reconnect with themselves through nervous system regulation and gentle somatic healing, I find that I, too, am healing a little more each day.
The truth is, this has always been my life’s work.
Whether through health and life coaching, teaching, mentoring, or simply holding space for another human being, I’ve devoted my career to helping people navigate life’s inevitable imbalances and piece their lives back together with greater strength, purpose, and compassion.
Looking back, I realise that the thread woven throughout my life’s work has always been Japanese wisdom. It has been an invitation to embrace kintsugi—honouring our scars as part of our story; wabi-sabi—finding beauty in life’s imperfections, impermanence, and transitions; and ikigai—discovering the reason we get up each morning, where our gifts, passions, purpose, and service to others come together.
Perhaps this season has simply invited me to practise more deeply what I’ve spent years teaching.
As I return gradually to this space, I’ll be sharing more of that journey, along with the wisdom, practices, and conversations that continue to help me—and that I hope will encourage others—to live healthier, more connected, and more wholehearted lives.
I’m also delighted to be opening my calendar once again for 1:1 coaching clients. This is an opportunity to have me as a guide at your side as we explore, create, and implement your own vision of health, balance, and wellbeing.
At the beginning of August, I’ll be launching a series of small group programmes, both online and in person here in Rye, focused on nervous system regulation, meditation and mindfulness, body weight calibration, and holistic wellbeing.
And in September, I’ll be bringing this work to the sunshine of Ibiza, Spain, where I’ll be co-hosting a restorative wellness retreat dedicated to rest, reconnection, and renewal.
To everyone who has reached out with a kind word, shared a meal or a hug, listened without trying to fix me, welcomed me, encouraged me, or simply been there—thank you. You have become part of the gold that is helping to piece my life back together.
Here’s to healing. ❤️🩹
Here’s to community. 👨🏾🤝👨🏽👫👩🏿🤝👩🏽
Here’s to finding beauty in imperfection. 💖
And here’s to discovering that our broken places don’t diminish us—they often become the places where the light, and the gold, shine through.
✨ Dena
(AI Disclaimer - I used AI to create an image of my pot repaired with kintsugi as I do not have the supplies to do it myself yet but I hope to have a "real" photo of the repairs soon. The cracks are definitely real!! Fake it till we make it?!)
