Wellness
It’s all about self-acceptance.
Interested in kicking off your own shadow work healing journey?
Heres what it’s crucial that you know.
What Is Shadow Work?
Examples include crying for no reason and blowing up at a friend.
In theory, when youintegrate your shadow self, it no longer has the power to trigger you.
While this concept has been around for ages, its taking off inthe spiritual corner of TikTokand beyond.
Shadow work has become so popular because we’re realizingwhat a trap perfection is, Campbell says.
Its a constant performance that leaves us anxious and estranged from others and, most importantly, ourselves.
Shadow work healing also fits in with this generations interest in taking care oftheir mental health.
Were realizing that we cant just ignore the parts of ourselves that people have disliked, says Campbell.
When we do, we onlyre-traumatize ourselvesby doing to ourselves what other people have done to us.
Understanding what fuels your behaviors gives you the choice to thoughtfully replace knee-jerk reactions with something healthier.
If you tend toself-sabotage, you might also want to give shadow work a try.
Explore the parts of yourself that you have been avoiding or denying, Hartman tells Bustle.
Be open to learning from them without trying to change them.
Are There Downsides To Shadow Work?
Thats why it’s important to prioritize your own safety and well-being, says Hernandez.
As you work through uncomfortable feelings, she notes that itll start to get easier.
To start, consider setting aside at least 30 minutes a week for dedicated shadow work, she says.
As Hartman says, it all comes down to your individual experience and how much work you put in.
To do so is to step into your power and your whole self.
Studies referenced:
Casement, A.
(2003).Encountering the shadow in rites of passage: a study in activations.
