Shadow Work
Shadow Work.
“There is no light without shadow and no psychic wholeness without imperfection.” Carl Jung
We all have pieces of our personalities that we despise so much that we do everything we can to keep them hidden away…
Bitchy
Jealous
Controlling
Prejudice
Bitter
Lazy
Egotistical
Selfish
This is your Shadow Self.
Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology, is responsible for identifying the ‘shadow’ in our personality. The shadow represents any traits in our personality that we don’t like, so we repress them in our unconscious mind. However, because they are repressed, we can’t acknowledge that these thoughts or feelings exist.
So what is shadow work and how can it help us heal from these repressed perceptions?
Shadow work is the process of acknowledging and accepting the hidden parts of your personality. In order to live a balanced life, we have to acknowledge the shadow. This is why Carl Jung’s shadow work is so essential.
“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 Jung
Shadow Work identifies the areas that we are hiding from ourselves. It shines a light of perspective where before there was darkness. It is hard for us to be fully objective when it comes to self-analysis. Particularly when we are talking about our good and dark side. No one wants to admit to having bad traits. It is much easier to concentrate on our strengths than our weaknesses. Who wants to admit feeling jealous about a friend’s success? Or having racist thoughts? Or being selfish or bitter?
This is not about blaming or shaming. It is about understanding, processing, learning, and moving on to become a better person. We LEARN by addressing our flaws!
What Can You Achieve with Shadow Work?
Understand yourself better
Work on ending destructive behaviors
Be able to understand other people
Have a clearer perception of who you really are
Have better communication with others
Feel happier about your life
Enhanced integrity
Have better relationships
Heal Generational Traume
How to Do Shadow Work
>>> Before you take on the task of shadow work, please note that the process will bring up many emotions. It can be difficult for many people. So you need to be mentally and physically able to accept whatever will be revealed. Seek the help of a licensed therapist or professional coach to assist you with this journey if you feel it would be helpful for you.
Some things to Remember As You Begin Your Shadow Work
Appreciate that you are an individual with strengths and weaknesses.
You are a product of your environment and your family. Remind yourself that no one is expected to be perfect. That you have chosen to confront your shadow and do the work to better understand yourself.
Be compassionate and gentle with yourself. Accept that you are a vulnerable human being, prone to influences beyond our control.
You are taking the first step to enlightenment.
Be brutally honest with yourself. There is no hiding or making excuses. You have to confront your worst fears about your own personality and character.
5 Actions Steps You Can Take…
Recurring themes
What are your emotional triggers? Ask yourself the following shadow work questions:
Is there are a recurring theme to your reactions?
Do you have a tendency to get into arguments over the same topic? In other words, what pushes your buttons?
What do you react to?
“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Carl Jung
2. Emotional reactions
Pay attention to the specific ways you react to people and situations. See if there is a recurrent theme or pattern. Once you’ve identified a pattern, you can then address it.
Is there a tone of voice or accent that grates on your nerves?
Do you have an inexplicable, instant distrust upon meeting the new person at work?
Do you find that you have certain preconceived opinions that come up when you encounter a particular race?
3. Identify Patterns
Identifying patterns enables you to analyze and understand them within the context of your life. Once you’ve understood them, you can discard them and move on. You are now processing these thoughts and feelings.
Remember, in the past, you found these thoughts so unacceptable that you’ve had to bury them. It is only once you have identified the specific patterns in your shadow that you can begin to work out how to deal with them.
4. Keep a Shadow Work Journal
The goal of shadow work journaling is to learn about and forgive yourself for the parts of yourself you find unsavory. This can help you achieve a happier, healthier, and more accepting mindset. When the shadow remains untouched, we operate by its rules. Freeing ourselves from its hold can open up a whole new world to us. You don’t have to worry about any kind of structure to your thoughts. Just let them spill out onto the page.
5. Write Yourself A Letter
Write a letter to yourself which expresses sorrow or regret for your thoughts and feelings. You can say in the letter how you are attempting to clear yourself with shadow work. You can give yourself permission to be forgiving in the letter. It’s helpful to write the letter as if you are writing it to someone else - Someone who might need to hear your apologies.
It’s Entirely Worth It!
It takes a lot of courage and a lack of ego to carry out shadow work. But Carl Jung believed it was necessary to live a fulfilling life. Acknowledging the darker parts of ourselves can help us become the best version of ourselves. Your weaknesses become your strengths because you know and understand what works for you and what doesn’t. Begin untangling your shadow self. Great things could come from it!