What if we all could pause for a moment when we feel triggered? Instead of immediately reacting—whether it’s to someone yelling at us or another upsetting situation—what if we took a breath, stepped back, and asked ourselves: “What am I really feeling here? Why does this situation provoke such a strong emotion in me?” That is the essence of Shadow Work.
Shadow work is about peeling back the layers of our emotional reactions to understand what’s really driving them. It’s an invitation to pause and dig deeper when we’re confronted with anger, frustration, or disappointment. Instead of letting these emotions run the show, shadow work encourages us to slow down and reflect.
For example, let’s say someone’s anger triggers you. Shadow work asks you to consider:
Is this anger actually about the other person, or is it tied to something deeper within me?
Is this emotion I am feeling even mine, or am I picking up on someone else’s energy?
How is this situation affecting my body? Where am I feeling this anger physically? Is this reaction serving me, or is it just amplifying the situation?
It’s like moving in slow motion to assess whether your emotional response is truly yours—or perhaps a pattern from your past, something learned or inherited. When we face these “shadows”—our triggers, past traumas, and buried emotions—we open the door to deep healing and transformation.
Why Do Shadow Work?
Remove Triggers for Good: Instead of reacting out of anger, fear, or guilt, you can transmute these emotions into love, joy, and acceptance. Ask yourself, “What is this situation really asking me to see?”
Reclaim Your Power: By recognizing and understanding your shadows, you can prevent them from controlling you.
Cultivate Self-Love: Embrace every part of yourself, the good and the not-so-good. This is where true self-love begins, and it helps you navigate through life’s “catalyst moments” with grace.
When you start understanding the emotional ups and downs you’re experiencing, even those that seem to come from nowhere, you take the first step toward healing and growth. What if all this emotional turbulence is preparing you for the most incredible chapter of your life? What if everything happening right now is actually working for you, guiding you toward your highest potential?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or ready to take charge of your growth, know this: You are not alone, and you are certainly not going crazy. You’re awakening to the best version of yourself.
How to Begin Shadow Work
Be the Observer: Pay attention to what stirs up strong emotions within you. What comes up most often—anger, guilt, fear, anxiety, or unworthiness? These are our “core human wounds.”
Pause and Ask: When you notice a trigger, ask yourself, Why is this showing up for me now?
Let It Go: Breathe out those tough emotions, and visualize yourself filling up with something lighter, like peace or compassion.
Write It Down: Journaling is a powerful tool for shadow work. Reflect on your triggers and why they affect you. Write down your thoughts and release the emotions tied to them.
Heal Your Inner Child: Often, our deepest wounds stem from childhood. Spend time nurturing your inner child and asking, What do they need right now?
Meditate with Intention: Meditation allows you to sit with the tough parts of yourself with kindness. It also helps calm your nervous system, especially if you’ve been in a cycle of fight-or-flight reactions.
Regular Chakra Opening: Keeping your energy body open and flowing helps release stuck emotions more easily. Try incorporating a Chakra Opening Meditation into your routine to keep your energy balanced.
Forgive and Move On: Offer forgiveness to yourself and others, releasing old baggage with gratitude for the lessons it taught you. We are all doing the best we can.
Cut Energetic Cords: If you feel drained by others’ energy, it’s time to cut those cords. Regular cord-cutting can help you release what isn’t yours and restore your personal energy.
✨ Try this Guided Meditation to help you practice identifying, releasing and healing your shadows. Before you begin, set a clear INTENTION for what you want to explore in your shadow work. Afterwards, take time to reflect on what came up for you.
Looking under the hood at the "WHY" isn’t easy, but it’s transformative. As you face your shadows with compassion, you will start to feel lighter, freer, and more connected to your true self.
Remember, you are never alone on this journey. The best version of you is waiting on the other side. 💫
Comments