Shadow work is an uncomfortable process that brings a lot of freedom at the end
If you are willing to work through the discomfort, and sometimes pain, of Shadow work, then you will experience a peace and freedom that is incredible
Shadow work is learning about, healing, and embracing the darkest parts of you
You can do this by:
- Journaling
- Visualization
- Reflection of self
- Reflection of environment
- Emotional Release
- Meditation
- Doing something you want to do that you pushed away
- Looking at your aura
- Therapy
Each one has its place and purpose
You may not need all of them, but they are valuable
Whatever you decide to practice in your daily life, be ready to follow up with self-care
I will not sugarcoat this
Shadow work is hard and it is emotional
Some things are easier than others, so start with the easier parts of your shadow
But you need some light and care after shadow work
It doesn’t matter what kind of self-care
But please do something kind for yourself after shadow work every time
Journaling
Journaling is the most common form of Shadow work
It helps you dig into your subconscious mind and find the things that are hidden there
Some people can do thing freestyle, but I find using journal prompts are more effective for me so I know what to write about
You can find journal prompts everywhere
They are in Facebook groups, TikTok, Pinterest, and more
Look for journaling prompts that feel right
Maybe you’ll feel a small ache in your heart when you read them
Write them down or save them for when you are ready for your Shadow work
When you are ready, take your journal and write the prompt you want to use in it
Then just sit with that question for a while
Once the thoughts are flowing, write everything down
Doesn’t matter if it repeats
Write it all down
Keep going until your mind goes clear
Some prompts will go faster than others
It is important not to restrict or judge any thoughts
Don’t gatekeep them before writing them down
Write EVERYTHING down
Once you have done this for a while, you can look back and find negative patterns
Those patterns are things you need to address because they are affecting your life without you knowing it
Visualization
Visualization is powerful
With this, you are giving a past self whatever they needed to heal
Sit down comfortably with an empty seat in front of you
Think of the past self that was hurt or neglected that you want to help
Imagine them sitting on that seat in front of you
Imagine every detail that you can
Listen to them
Talk to them
Give them love and compassion
And give them something they need to start healing
That could be telling them that they are forgiven, or that it wasn’t their fault
What did you need back then?
Give it to them now
Your subconscious cannot tell the difference between reality and visualization
So your brain will think that you actually got that thing you needed and it will begin to heal
Reflection of self
Reflection is really important in Shadow work
Think about your reactions
What makes you angry?
Why?
Reflect and think about what is taking your peace from you
Hint: no one can take your peace. You have to give it up
Find what triggers you in your daily life and start working on letting those go
Reflection of environment
Reflection of the environment is similar to the reflection of self
I had a family member that was very cruel
He actively made it hard to deal with him and hurt my peace and energy levels
I had to reflect if having him in my life was worth it
And it wasn’t
Look at the people around you and the things you are involved in
Does it add to your light and peace?
Or does it add to your shadow?
Emotional Release
Sometimes we spend so long bottling up our emotions that we feel like we are going to explode
Instead of exploding at random, do emotional releases
This could be screaming into a pillow or it could be sitting on the bathroom floor and crying for a while
Whatever you need to release those emotions that are eating away at you
Give yourself permission to dump the bottle out before it explodes
Meditation
Meditation is a great way to sit with yourself for a while
Meditate on how you feel and what is going on
You can release emotions here too
This is your chance to sit and reclaim your peace
You can use meditation alongside any other method, and it will only make it better
Doing something you want to do that you pushed away
We all have things that we have wanted to do but it felt silly or bad
Do those things!
Unless it hurts yourself or others
Don’t worry about what others have to say or if you feel silly
When you exile desires, they become part of your shadow
That part hurts your confidence and makes you want to play everything safe
Let the fear go and go do the thing!
Looking at your aura
Auras are a great way to see what energy you are giving off
But it takes practice!
There are some great YouTube videos on seeing auras and how to see your own aura in the mirror
If this is something that interests you, check out some of those videos!
Therapy
Therapy is always an option if you are scared to do this alone
A good therapist can guide you and help you as you heal
Just make sure you choose one that aligns with your goals
If you don’t want medication, make sure your therapist isn’t someone that will push that unnecessarily
They need to be on the same page as you and there to help you
Not to make more money off you
So be picky and trust your instinct
If someone makes you uncomfortable, find someone else
I highly discourage you from using a family or friend
You want to be careful who you show this dark and vulnerable side to
As someone who has been blindsided by trusting a friend and a family member that betrayed me, please be careful