34 - Shadow Work

Today's challenge;

Seek professional advice and start journalling things from your past that may be impacting you negatively in the present.

What is it?

Shadow work is the process of exploring and integrating the unconscious parts of yourself—your “shadow.” These are aspects of your personality, emotions, desires, and memories that you may have repressed, denied, or ignored because they were deemed unacceptable, painful, or socially undesirable.

The term was popularized by Carl Jung, who believed that the shadow contains both dark and creative energies, and that facing it is essential for personal growth and wholeness

Why is it important?

On the way to becoming the best version of yourself, there may have been very difficult and even traumatic experiences that you had to live through. It is important not to suppress these or allow them to go unresolved. It takes time, proper supports and lots of self reflection to make sure these experiences are not continuing to make life difficult for you and keep you from reaching your full potential. It takes strong people with incredible resilience to seek the help they need and put the work into resolving past trauma and parts of themselves (shadow) they wish to address positively.

Shadow work and resolving past trauma improves;

• Self-Awareness: It helps you understand your triggers, patterns, and hidden motivations.

  
  

• Emotional Healing: By confronting suppressed emotions, you can release shame, guilt, and fear.

  
  

• Authenticity: You become more aligned with your true self, rather than a persona shaped by external expectations.

  
  

• Improved Relationships: Understanding your shadow reduces projection and conflict with others.

  
  

• Empowerment: Integrating your shadow can unlock creativity, confidence, and inner strength.

Here are some tips to work through past trauma and work on things about yourself you may wish to change.

• Journaling. Write about your emotional reactions, especially strong or uncomfortable ones. Ask yourself: “What part of me am I avoiding?” or “What am I afraid others will see?”

• Identify Triggers. Notice what irritates or upsets you in others—this often reflects your own shadow. Explore the deeper meaning behind your reactions.

• Seek Counselling. Find a therapist and/or other mental health professional to get support working through past trauma and/or current stressors in your life.

• Creative Expression. Art, music, or storytelling can help you access and express unconscious parts of yourself. Let your creativity flow without judgment.

• Develop a support/social group. Be open and communicate with people you trust. Allow them to help you and in return you are probably helping them as well.

Deep Dive

Invest in a nice journal that looks cool and feels good in your hands. It will encourage you to use it. Jot down all your thoughts, innovative new ideas, bucket lists, challenges and make it your own personal "doodle book".

There is power in writing down your ideas not only so you remember them but will act upon them.

"Writing is medicine. It is an appropriate antidote to injury. It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change.” - Julia Cameron

Checkpoint: Something to consider today...

Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) kept a journal never meant to be published. His

thoughts continue to influence systems of government and leadership to this

day! Who knows who your thoughts and ideas may influence?