artwork by kali hera
There was a time in my life when I felt utterly shattered. It was as though the world had taken everything I thought I knew about myself and broken it into pieces too small to put back together. I carried those fragments with me for years, convinced they were all I had left. But somewhere along the way, I discovered something powerful that changed everything.
I found my light.
The Darkest Nights
I won’t sugarcoat it: there were moments when the darkness felt endless. Nights when I lay awake, wondering if I’d ever feel whole again. Days when the weight of my brokenness made even the simplest tasks seem impossible. It’s easy to lose yourself in that kind of darkness and believe it will last forever.
But here’s the thing about darkness—it’s not permanent. No matter how heavy it feels, there’s always a flicker of light waiting to break through. For me, that flicker came unexpectedly: a kind word from a friend, a sunrise after a sleepless night, or even just the realization that I had survived another day.
Letting Go of Broken Pieces
For the longest time, I thought those broken pieces defined me. I clung to them as if they were proof of who I was—proof that I’d been hurt, proof that I’d failed, proof that I wasn’t enough. But as time went on, I started to see them differently.
Those pieces weren’t my identity, they were my past. They were reminders of what I’d been through, but they didn’t have to dictate who I was or where I was going. Letting go wasn’t easy; it meant facing the pain head-on and choosing to release it instead of holding onto it. But with every piece I let go of, I felt lighter. Freer. More like myself again.
Discovering My Strength
What surprised me most about this journey was how strong I am. For so long, I thought strength meant never breaking, but now I know it’s about what you do after you’ve broken. It’s about picking up the pieces (or leaving them behind) and moving forward anyway.
There’s a force inside each of us that’s more powerful than we realize, a force capable of bending the moon and shifting tides. It’s not always loud or obvious; sometimes it’s just a quiet determination to keep going when everything feels impossible. But it’s there, and it’s enough.
I found my strength in moments of vulnerability, admitting that I needed help, asking for support, and allowing myself to feel everything instead of burying it deep inside. Strength isn’t about pretending you’re okay but trusting you will be OK, even if you’re not right now.
The Light Always Finds Its Way
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that light always finds its way, even in the darkest night. It might take time and come in ways you don’t expect, but it’s always there, waiting for you to let it in.
Finding the light meant embracing hope again—hope for healing, happiness, and a future where the darkness no longer defined me. It meant believing in my ability to create something beautiful from life’s mess.
And here’s what I want you to know: you can find your light too.
You Were Never Meant to Stay Broken
Whatever you’re going through right now, whatever pieces feel shattered beyond repair, remember this: you were never meant to live with brokenness as your identity. You are so much more than your struggles, mistakes, or pain.
You have within you a spark strong enough to reignite your spirit and illuminate your path forward. You can heal, grow, and thrive—even when it feels impossible.
So keep going. Keep searching for that flicker of light in the darkness. Keep trusting that brighter days are ahead.
Because you are not broken beyond repair, you are evolving into someone extraordinary.
And trust me when I say: the light will find its way back to you, it always does.