Why “Broken” Is Never the Whole Story

At one point or another, most of us have whispered the word broken about ourselves. Maybe after a heartbreak, maybe while sitting in a counselor’s office, or maybe in the quiet moments when the mask of “holding it all together” slips. I know that feeling well—and for years, I thought it defined me.

But here’s the truth: feeling broken doesn’t mean you are beyond repair. More often, it’s a signal—a red flag waving—that something in your life is out of alignment. Dana S. Diaz explores this idea beautifully in her Substack article Broken No More, where she shares the one question that shifted her mindset forever: What do I want?

It sounds simple, but if you’ve spent years prioritizing everyone else’s needs, that question can feel almost impossible to answer. Yet it holds the key to moving from surviving to thriving.

Here are three takeaways from Dana’s reflection that can help you start your own journey:

• Self-deprecation is not self-definition. Feeling unworthy doesn’t mean you are unworthy.
  
  

• Misalignment creates unease. When your life doesn’t reflect your values or desires, it will eventually show up as stress, anxiety—or even illness.
  
  

• Choice is powerful. Asking “What do I want?” opens the door to reclaiming agency, joy, and self-respect.
  
  

You don’t have to accept the label of “broken.” You are human, resilient, and worthy of a life that feels like your own.

❤️For the full story, I encourage you to read Dana’s article on Substack and, if you haven’t already, download the first two chapters of Gasping for Air for free at danasdiaz.com.

Because the journey to wholeness starts with one brave question—and your answer matters.