Shadow work concerns the revelation of the unknown. The shadow is an unconscious side of your personality with which the ego does not identify. You may experience your shadow when social interactions, relationships, episodes of anxiety, or sadness are triggered. The unconscious mind contains repressed feelings from painful events that cause impulsive behaviors and unwanted patterns that shape your "dark side." In short, the shadow consists of parts of yourself that you have forgotten, abandoned, and repressed in order to evolve and adapt to society's mold. Reflect on your childhood and remember the ways you expressed yourself, only to be rejected. Perhaps you cried and were told to stop. Perhaps you laughed uncontrollably in class and were looked down upon by your teacher or classmates.
There are countless ways you may have been reprimanded for something deemed "bad" and praised for something considered "good" – teaching you to adjust your behavior accordingly. These repressed parts of yourself are not lost forever. They are stored and locked in your unconscious mind. Shadow Work is the process of revealing, accepting, and including these parts of yourself that you have repressed and rejected. The techniques in the Shadow Work Journal will allow you to dive into unconscious pockets of repressed emotions and overcome the negative effects they currently have on your mental health.
