Shadow Work

I started this blog to try to be more confident in my true self, which also means discovering my true self. I want to be seen now, instead of the years I spent dimming my light. So, you know what? Let’s dive in. Let’s be vulnerable.

I read that shadow work is about illuminating the parts of yourself that you have rejected on some level. One trick into finding these parts is to make a list of things you don’t like in other people. If you look at the list and reflect, those are probably the parts of yourself that you have rejected. Similarly, the things you admire in other people are the things you accept about yourself. So, let’s get in it.

My list of things I don’t like about other people:

•projecting anxiety onto other people

•being mean, cutting other people down, being judgmental, hurting others in any sort of way

•not being good at your job

•beating around the bush, not being upfront, not being direct, not just saying what you want

•being TOO forward, brutal

•loudness, aggressiveness, belligerence

•being obnoxious

•being oblivious to others

•shaming others

•”Negative Nancies”

•leaving messes for other people to clean up

•being insincere

•not being able to just let go and be free

•keyboard warriors

•emotionally manipulating others

•people who don’t seem to have their own identity and just follow others. You know, those who have to ask the “leader” what their opinion should be

I asked my husband for help making this list. I was (am) fully afraid I wouldn’t be completely truthful because I knew I would have to actually think about these traits. Some of these I can already see in myself. Some of these I recognize from past situations and I have reflected on them before. I think this list is something I need to continue to add to and reflect on. And hopefully I will learn to be more compassionate towards others and myself. ❤️