The Kintsugi Moms: Transformative Insights from a Healer’s Diary by Dr Haseena Chokkiyil – Book Review

Literature on women’s issues, actual concerns of women, and true accounts of atrocities on women, in general, have become a common scenario these days. However, finding out well-written works that deal with these themes with creative accuracy and thematic realism may be difficult (for many reasons). Luckily, I stumbled upon a book by Dr Haseena Chokkiyil, The Kintsugi Moms: Transformative Insights from a Healer’s Diary. The book is a package offering two sets of narratives – in the first part, the author has shared transformation stories of 8 women who were alone in their struggles, survived and also thrived. The second part offers Dr Haseena’s expert opinions and secrets of physical and mental health that together create an amazing impact on our overall being – a guide to holistic healing that the author has presented as the roadmap to Kintsugi! 

The book opens with a nicely written foreword by former Miss Universe and accomplished actress Sushmita Sen, who identifies herself as a proud single mother as well. This extract from Sushmita’s foreword may set the tempo of the book for many readers. 

“We are all warriors, often battling with ourselves, others, or with life’s circumstances. But let me tell you that with courage, positivity, love, and compassion, we can win those battles and heal ourselves provided we have the right guidance and mentoring. That’s what Dr Haseena’s stories reflect.”

Sushmita’s words reflect what many wise people have observed, and the world, in general, acknowledges. Women can do anything, win any battle, and come out victorious in any situation that otherwise may seem troublesome to many. Dr Haseena’s stories are taken from the real-life events of the 8 women who are featured as protagonists. Women who suffered because of situations and their counterparts, family and society did very little to help, decided to stand and stare back, fight and win. In all these events, Dr Haseena’s counselling and motivation helped these warriors a lot. In the stories, readers may find a glimpse of Dr Haseena’s input. 

In the second part of the book, the author discusses many things that may make one’s life better. Psychological, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – Dr Haseena discusses every concept that constructs our being. However, she does not only discuss but also offers solutions to keep every aspect of one’s personality healthy, positive, and ready to thrive further. For example, let’s discuss this line from the chapter The Roadmap to Kintsugi: 

“When you learn to love yourself, you start to take responsibility for your life. You realise that there is no point in blaming yourself or your past, including your ex-partners who you think did not do justice to you.” 

In the same chapter, the author focuses on understanding oneself and the need to love oneself for whatever reasons – loving the original without ifs and buts. The realisation of oneself is important, and Dr Haseena writes it beautifully: 

“Learning to undo all your negative beliefs and to love yourself as you are, every crazy bit of it, are integral to healing yourself at all levels.” 

The key takeaways from the second part of this book are a few, in short. Nonetheless, to understand these things, one must go through the book carefully. 

The author calls this list of things the tools of self-repair: 

1. Nutrition and Fasting
2. Exercise and Breathwork
3. Relaxation and Recreation 
4. Sex and Relationships 
5. Spirituality and Mediation 
6. Taming the Subconscious (has further sub-levels) 
7. Therapeutic Interventions 

She has detailed many aspects of these important ingredients of a better life in the second part of the book. And I believe these are some important, lesser-known, and valuable pieces of information many would really appreciate knowing. 

Overall, The Kintsugi Moms by Dr Haseena is a celebration of motherhood sans dependency. The book also celebrates the process of healing that engenders from within and culminates in the external world around oneself. The style of writing, choice of stories from many available ones, treatment and handling of these monotonous subjects in a way that keeps readers excited and engaged, and eventually everything about this book is wonderful, and I believe readers are going to love this book for many reasons (a few I have discussed and many others many will find). 

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon India by clicking the link below: 

Get a copy – click here to buy an Ebook or Paperback from Amazon India

Review by Nidhi for Literature News