Finding Gold In Broken Places
There's something profoundly liberating about the act of deliberate surrender.
Three weeks ago, I shut down what felt like a major part of my business. But as my nervous system regulates, I realize that, in reality, I eliminated a distraction and gained some insightful lessons into who I am, what I'm capable of, and how to ease into what comes next.
There's something profoundly liberating about the act of deliberate surrender. The Japanese practice of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold—reminds us that our breaks and healing become part of our story, not something to disguise. The recent closure of my studio wasn't just an ending but a golden seam forming in the larger vessel of my journey.
It has taken me a long time (and practice) to appreciate that contraction in life is as valuable as expansion. Ancient Stoics understood that loss creates space—space for new growth, deeper understanding, and realignment with our truest path. So here I go...
The first step down a new path (and a giant leap out of my comfort zone) is the video below. I'm sharing some reflections on the experience of opening Canada's first Black-owned pilates studio and ultimately shutting it down just three years later at its peak. I haven't yet found the words to share more about the experience, but this felt like a good place to start.
Exploring this kind of offering is feeling equal parts terrifying and liberating. It's hard to capture all my thoughts and feelings in a 30-to-60-second sound bite on Instagram or TikTok, so the idea of having more room to share is intriguing. (not to mention now feels like the perfect time to spend less time on the aforementioned platforms for various reasons).
I'm in a season of depth over breadth.
Quality over quantity.
Meaning over metrics.
In the video below, I share the five key lessons this "failure" taught me. But perhaps the most profound lesson was one I couldn't articulate until now: sometimes what looks like stepping back is actually stepping into alignment with your deeper purpose.
I'd love to hear which of these lessons resonates most with you, or what valuable insights you've gained from your own setbacks. SWC members can comment below of share your thoughts over on YouTube.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the YT channel! Consider it a gentle nudge of encouragement to help me on this new journey :)
xx Melissa