….in Need of Care

“I am not broken, I am in need of care.”

Struggles are often misinterpreted as signs of weakness, failure, or being “broken.” The truth is, to hurt is human. Feeling deeply, stumbling, needing support – none of these make us defective. They make us alive.

The statement, “I am not broken, I am in need of care,” is a radical act of self-compassion in a society that often demands relentless productivity, emotional suppression, and silent endurance. It is a declaration to not shame about any pain. It is an insistence that hurt does not equal dysfunction. It’s a mantra I encourage all to feel with confidence.  “I am not broken, I am in need of care.”

When someone has an emotional experience or experiences anxiety, depression, burnout, or grief, they are often treated as though something is inherently wrong with them. The language of being “broken” implies irreparability. It suggests a flaw that must be fixed, hidden, or corrected. This narrative not only isolates people but adds unnecessary guilt to an already heavy burden.

What if we reframed our understanding? What if we viewed these moments not as evidence of damage, but as signals – indicators that something (or someone – even ourselves) needs attention, love, and care?

Imagine a plant with wilted leaves. We would typically not throw it away and label it broken. We’d water it. We’d move it to the sunlight. We’d nourish it. Human beings deserve the same tenderness.

Saying, “I need care” is not weakness. It’s clarity. It’s strength.

To acknowledge our needs is to reclaim our humanity. Just as we need food and rest, we also need connection, understanding, and safe spaces to heal. Whether that care comes in the form of therapy, rest, community support, or simply the grace to take a break, recognizing and expressing that need is a vital step toward healing.

The idea that needing help is shameful has been deeply ingrained in many cultures. Changing this mindset can happen and it starts with how we talk to ourselves and each other. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” we can ask, “What do you need right now?” Instead of assuming someone is broken, we can remind them (and ourselves) that pain is not a flaw; it’s a call for care.

We all carry unseen wounds. Some from childhood, others from life’s relentless storms. But no one is beyond care, and no one is “broken”, and certainly not beyond repair. We are complex, resilient, and deserving of gentleness.

If today you find yourself struggling, remember this:

“You are not broken. You are in need of care.”

And that is something to be honored and respected.  You are someone deserving, to also be honored and respected.

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