Resilient, Not Broken: A Reflection for Educators Feeling the Weight

There’s a quote I keep coming back to when teaching feels especially heavy:

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places." – Ernest Hemingway

It sounds poetic—until you live it.

This week on the Why Edify Podcast, I shared a reflection that speaks to the soul of every educator who’s felt worn down by the relentless rhythm of school life. From flopped lessons to unanswered emails, unreachable students to invisible emotional labor—teaching asks a lot. And sometimes, even when you’re doing everything right, it still feels like you’re falling short.

This episode is for those moments.

It’s about resilience, not as a buzzword, but as a quiet, personal strength that grows in the aftermath of hard days. I explore what it means to be a teacher who reflects, recovers, and rebuilds—not perfectly, but intentionally.

I also introduce the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold—making it more beautiful because of the cracks, not in spite of them. What if we looked at ourselves the same way?

Here’s a small excerpt to reflect on:

"Just showing up is often a success. Choosing reflection over self-criticism. Each time we repair the crack with compassion, we become a little wiser, a little more human."

If you’re navigating a tough season or know someone who is, I invite you to pause, breathe, and listen to this short episode. There’s also a powerful affirmation you can carry with you into the week.

🟡 🎧 Listen Now:

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Let’s stop pretending strength means never breaking. It means learning how to rebuild beautifully.

You are resilient. You are not alone. And you are growing.