Shadow work, if you’re not familiar, can sound scary at first. Some of us are still scared of the dark, in one way or another. Shadow Work is not 'witchy' like it may sound to some—unless you’re into that kind of thing. I mention this only because the wording can cause skepticism in those with particular religious beliefs or trauma where spiritual warfare and witchcraft are heavily taught/frowned upon. Speaking from personal experience, that is.
Shadow work prompts are there to dig deeper into your psyche, which can unlock memories or increase a difference in perspective, and lessen emotional triggers and outbursts. Do you know how they say hindsight is 20/20?
Shadow work is a way to get to know ourselves more deeply and intimately. That in itself can be terrifying to think about for some. However, in the process of growing up, you might have found you don’t necessarily remember everything—or might not remember it correctly. Repressed emotional memories can cause emotional triggers and even outbursts and how we perceive and act in our relationships with others. If there are parts of you that are just plain uncomfy, sometimes you just have to unfold them, readjust around them and work with them.
Looking back you can use the prompts and eventually let your writing flow, even if you get off track your subconscious will take you where you need to go. No one said you can’t revisit the same prompt twice, and there are no wrong answers, ever.
Doing shadow work lightens the load on your heart and shoulders. Once you get to know your shadow self, you can begin to integrate those parts of yourself you are uncomfortable with instead of being mad at them and/or hiding them away. This can create shame and anger in certain places and keeps you from being your most authentic, and knowing yourself truly.
This, in turn, works to heal your inner child's wounds and helps you grow a stronger connective bond with yourself that increases self-love, confidence, and overall peace and happiness.
Now, If you’re anything like me you can be a skeptic in the beginning or maybe you’ve reached the point of being ready to dive face first and trying to make healing happen fast. Either way, there are some things to keep in mind when doing shadow work.
Keep in mind that healing doesn’t always happen as fast as we wish. Shadow work can drain your energy because you’re literally changing your mind, opening and healing things you've held onto for years. It’s always easier to run on autopilot and not feel things, trust me---I had the "ignore it and it'll go away" mindset for 24 years.
I had to learn the harder way to process and move onward---to stop reliving the same situations over and over again---you must face these things, and learn to integrate them into your everyday life so you can breathe easier and let light flow.
To change your life, you have to change your perspectives, you have to actually look at the situations in your life, and instead of asking "Why Me?" Just start asking---Why?
With every crumb of revelation I got just testing out prompts, I got hungry for more knowledge about myself. I was able to access my truer feelings, why I felt them, and how I got to some of the conclusions in life that held me hostage.
When confronting your brain and soul... be sure to rest so that your body and mind can process these new and awakened emotions and revelations. Always listen and honor your body when it calls for rest and hydration. It is all needed to process properly, moving you onwards and upwards to your inner peace and highest self.
With love, always
Kenzie
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