A Journey of Healing through Shadow Work
Just a few weeks ago, I had the honor of celebrating my 34th birthday. I use these moments as a time to embrace full gratitude for my entire existence as well as the things and people in my life. Each year, I spend a period of time in deep reflection examining my previous year and shifting my thoughts to future goals and endeavors. In this moment this year, I realized that I wasn’t fulfilled in certain areas of my life and although I have made drastic changes and navigated tremendously in my healing journey, something was still missing from my life. As always, I ventured out to figure out what I needed to do to really feel completion and comfortable as I stepped into a new version of myself.
I ordered a new journal that I had seen floating around my FYP on TikTok titled “Shadow Work” journal. Yes, I got caught up in the hype, but I honestly wanted to see what it was all about and if the writing prompts would be beneficial to me in any kind of way. I posted a video on YouTube titled “Embracing my Shadows” after working in the book for about a little over 2 weeks. I honestly was shocked to see how beneficial the writing prompts and activities have challenged my thinking, but also have allowed me to work through wounds that I have avoided.
Shadow Work invites us to embark on a transformative journey of healing by confronting and embracing the hidden aspects of ourselves. By embracing the journey and doing the work, it can lead to profound growth, self-acceptance and the possibility of a more authentic and fulfilling life. The “shadows” that we are unveiling represent a variety of characteristics, emotions and past experiences that in many cases we have repressed away. By storing up all these emotions and in some cases trauma, we have built up anger, fears, insecurities, and even negative emotions.
In this journey thus far, I have realized some unsettling things, but it is allowing me to finally release the unsettling emotions, fears and other unwanted traits that I no longer need to carry as well as give me clarity on why these things even existed in the first place. I have been taking this a day at a time and learning to embrace my wounds with love and grace; the love and grace that I have always deserved. My hope is that with completing this journal, I will continue to blossom into my true, authentic self with full understanding of my purpose and past experiences. Although navigating past wounds isn’t an easy experience, it is a journey worth taking for we find the light of our true selves.
I look forward to sharing more of my journey with everyone as I hope my story can be used as a catalyst for someone else’s healing. It’s essential to remember that everyone’s healing journey is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Seeking professional guidance is also highly recommended as I have shared this with my own therapist. Your mental and emotional health should always be a top priority along with finding safe and responsible ways to embark on the path of self-discovery and healing. Happy healing and I love you!
