We all carry a shadow: the parts of ourselves we’ve disowned because they felt unsafe, unacceptable, or shameful.
What Is the Shadow?
Jung described the shadow as the unconscious storehouse of everything we reject about ourselves. This isn’t just “darkness” — it can include strengths we’re afraid to own, like ambition or vulnerability.
Why It Matters
What we repress doesn’t disappear; it leaks. Unacknowledged anger becomes passive aggression. Hidden needs show up as resentment.
Beginning Shadow Work
- Notice projections: What irritates you most in others often lives inside you.
- Practice non-judgment: Approach these traits with curiosity, not shame.
- Integrate slowly: The goal isn’t to eliminate the shadow, but to bring it into dialogue.
Key Takeaway
Shadow work isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about becoming whole. Integration gives you more freedom to choose, rather than being ruled by what’s hidden.
