#SHADOW WORK JOURNAL FREE PDF HOW TO#

We are either acting on suppressed feelings and beliefs without realizing it, or trying to avoid them with other feelings (like covering sadness with anger) or behaviors (eating instead of dealing with feelings). That is your shadow self expressing itself. Have you ever been stuck in a negative cycle, knowing it was bad but feeling helpless to stop it? Are you constantly self-sabotaging your relationships or career? Do you react to certain things in a negative way and not understand why? Do you try to hide certain feelings by eating, shopping, or substance abuse? The goal is to acknowledge these hidden parts of ourselves so that they can be integrated or healed, allowing us to become our most whole and complete beings. Shadow work is about recognizing that there are parts of ourselves that we have denied, rejected, or buried so deeply within us that they are hidden even to our own consciousness. It is not meant as a reference to the dark, shadowy figure looming in our psyches, but instead alludes to the fact that we process and hold these feelings and thoughts in the shadows of ourselves because there is pain, guilt, or fear associated with them. The shadow self is a term used to describe the unconscious and unprocessed emotions, beliefs, and memories that we carry. What is Shadow Work?Įveryone holds both light and dark aspects of our personalities, and of course we tend to want to present only our best sides to the world so we suppress the darker parts of us that we fear would be rejected. These journal prompts will set you on the path to finding your true self. Shadow work gives you the freedom to be who you are meant to be. It allows you to heal old wounds and release the baggage and toxic patterns that have held you back from success, happiness, and even love. Shadow work journal prompts allow you to reflect and look inwards at the parts of you which have been hidden out of fear or shame, but desperately want to be healed and integrated.ĭoing these shadow work prompts will give you so much insight into who you are and what has shaped you as a person to this point. Try to reach the deepest truths about yourself, even if it goes against what you’d normally expect.Healing the shadow self is essential to becoming a whole and happy person. Keep in mind that your unconscious shadow can only reach you indirectly, so you have to trust yourself that you can tap into it.įor an overview of shadow work and integration, you can read our guide here. Then after a moment, write a response you think your shadow would give.

Go deeper by speaking aloud for your unconscious mind to hear, then pay attention for a ‘response’. If you get emotional or have any sensations, be sure to feel them through. People who are new to shadow work can get emotional since they haven’t come to terms with their other half. However, it’s not all smiles and good feelings. These bodily sensations typically mean that you’ve appeased the unconscious. Sometimes I’ll even get a feeling of ‘centeredness’ in the pit of my stomach. The purpose of these journal prompts is to stir your unconscious mind until you feel sensations in your body.įor example, when I do shadow work I get a nice feeling in my arms and legs. Shadow work journaling is a safe and very personal way of doing this. You want to start cultivating these shadow qualities in a safe and ritualized way in your waking life. Integrating the shadow, without biting off too much, is the real challenge. The shadow is the embodiment of potential that you’ve cast away and now need to integrate.Īdmitting you have an unconscious shadow is the first step to be able to “see” it voluntarily. It’s the intentional process of admitting the parts of yourself you’ve ignored and repressed. Shadow Work is integrating the entire spectrum of your being. It’s the part of yourself that’s been rejected since childhood and you have no awareness of. The shadow is the side of yourself that’s disconnected and unfelt. Which gives you a place to start with your self-inquiry.īefore I get more into shadow work journaling, it’s important that we cover a few key concepts: What is shadow and what is shadow work? Most people do this with the help of shadow work prompts. Shadow work journaling is an introspective exercise where you uncover the deepest truths about yourself.

#SHADOW WORK JOURNAL FREE PDF HOW TO#

Are you wondering how to shadow work journal for beginners?

Shadow work journal free pdf