Your shadow self is just another aspect of who you are. And when you learn to embrace it instead of run from it, you can learn to accept all of who you are which helps you also have more compassion for yourself, and in turn, others. Most often, the shadow manifests as our triggers or emotional reactions that we haven’t fully dealt with, but bubble up to the surface under the right (wrong) circumstances. Even though the shadow still exists within, it gets repressed and forgotten. Many people tend to subdue those hidden parts of themselves to avoid having to confront that 'darker side.' It takes courage, guidance, self-awareness, and training to help you confront your shadow self in a healthy way. This is what shadow work is all about. Shadow work is designed to encourage you to harmonize and welcome every part of yourself so that you can live and flourish with more clarity and authenticity. Anything that threatens the way you present yourself to the world (that is, brings your shadow self into the light) will be seen as a threat to your identity, and ultimately, your safety. Often, these rejected parts of ourselves are the result of childhood experiences. That is because it was overlooked and possibly shamed throughout your life. When you dismiss or ignore your shadow side, it can have a negative impact on your well being. We usually hear this come up as negative self talk. This part of yourself craves to be understood and explored. What makes up your shadow, depends on what you subconsciously deny within yourself. We won’t feel emotionally and mentally our best when our shadow is not integrated into ourselves, which is to say, when the shadow and self are far apart. 

There are so many benefits to doing shadow work that can change your life for the better. When you embrace your shadow you build better relationships with others, discover your hidden talents, gain more confidence and self-esteem, enhance your overall wellness, have better clarity, improve your creativity, increase your compassion toward others, and ultimately practice self acceptance. When you ignore your shadow, it will find ways to make you aware that it does, in fact, exist. It can lead to issues like anxiety and depression, self absorption, self deceit and deceiving others, offensive behavior toward others, poor self esteem, struggling to have healthy relationships with others, self loathing, self sabotage, or an inflated ego. When you avoid your shadow, you may also start projecting onto others. Projection happens when you see things in others that you subconsciously recognize within yourself. Those parts can make you feel really uncomfortable. As a result, you can seek to judge or punish others who reflect those traits. That may sting a little, but it is the truth. And the truth will set you free.

If you need help making peace with your shadow, please consider scheduling a session with me...

https://www.ladykendra.com

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