This is because it identifies the areas that we are hiding from ourselves. This is where Carl Jung’s shadow work is so essential. Sure, we might think we are whole and complete and as such, we have no need for introspection. In order to live a balanced life, we have to acknowledge the shadow. Shadow work is the process of acknowledging and accepting the hidden parts of your personality. So what is shadow work and how can it help us heal from these repressed perceptions? What Is Shadow Work? However, because they are repressed, we can’t acknowledge that these thoughts or feelings exist. The shadow represents any traits in our personality that we don’t like, so we repress them in our unconscious mind. “How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also if I am to be whole.” Carl JungĬarl Jung is responsible for identifying the ‘shadow’ in our personality. However, what if I told you there are parts of your personality that you despise so much so you hide them away? This is your shadow self.
I mean, if anyone knows who we are, it’s us, right? We also like to think that we have high morals, good values, and integrity. We all think that we know ourselves pretty well. I didn’t know at the time, but my shadow self had emerged and shadow work could have helped me understand my feelings. As soon as the thought arrived, it disappeared. Instantly, I thought, ‘ How pretentious’. Visit my Amazon Shop for the books that I highly recommend that assists me on my own journey.They said that they had combined their love to make a baby, so when it came to naming her, they felt they should combine their names too. If you need a deeper dive into shadow work or want assistance navigating current mental health issues, book a healing session with me. As Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate”. However, insight that can bring us close to our truest selves it always worth it. You are seeing parts of yourself that have previously been blind to you and a lot of emotions come with it. To be clear, loving your shadow doesn’t “excuse it” but it sure does create space for it. Learning to love those parts of ourselves can increase self-love, confidence, and self-belief. If we didn’t have “unacceptable” or “unattractive” parts of ourselves, we wouldn’t be human.
Yes, that’s right – why you don’t want it. Then journal about why you don’t want it. Here’s two journal prompts you can explore as you begin your journey: Journal Prompt 1: Now that you are conscious of these things, you can work through them and go through with a purchasing a new car. If you’re subconsciously worried about money, you may associate a new car with lack. Your shadow says you don’t want to buy a new car because deep down, you believe you don’t deserve to have nice things. Maybe consciously, you want to buy a new car because your current car no longer fits your needs. The logical part of the brain wants to buy a new car but your shadow will reveal why you don’t want to buy a new car. Our shadow is the annoying pest on our shoulder that says blue when our brain says red and leave when our brain says go.
It’s hard to accept what is unfamiliar to us even if it’s true. It’s kinda like a friend telling you something you weren’t ready to hear so you double down on your idea that they are wrong. Realizing that we have a trait we deem unfavorable can send us into an identity crisis or a cycle of resistance. We all have our own self concept based on what we believe is true about ourselves.
I look at our shadow as the part of ourselves that we can’t see until it smacks us in the face a couple of times.