For example, you may find that your perfectionism is getting in the way of your enjoyment, so you can focus on that as a theme, continues Dr. Mullen. may be the theme of Are you so well-liked that you think it’s a strength, but you’re failing to build healthy relationships with yourself and others?
characterize your shadow
Dr. Mullan also suggests starting by naming your shadow self. Now let’s see what it looks like. “What does it smell like? What does it taste like? What does it work for?” she adds. “Just close your eyes and think about what this shadow looks like.”
Pleasing and Meposter syndrome is an example of a common shadow, says Dr. Malan. “It’s an orange, furry monster with big googly eyes that makes it look cute and harmless, but it makes you lose your confidence,” she explains.
When you’re ready, you can change your shadow’s name to something more powerful, says Dr. Mullan. adds.
select age
In another Shadow Work journaling session, you can examine your personal history using the prompt below. How old were you when your shadow became a problem? When was the first time you felt insecure or hated certain parts of yourself? deep focus specific memories Meanwhile related to it. “For example, let’s say you’re thinking, ‘My life was great until I was 16,'” says Dr. Malan, as an example, telling you to write it down and move on from there.
Face what you project onto others
You can ask yourself the following questions: What are you most concerned about about other people? What you will write down is usually reflection Dr. Yusim says you need to get rid of what you don’t like and reintegrate into your own being.
live your truth
in her book FulfilledDr. Yusim provides several prompts, including: What is stopping me from living my truth? Alternatively, you can think about the following questions. How would my life change if I allowed myself to live my truth fully? These questions can help reveal what you are truly afraid of and what may be causing you to fall into toxic patterns instead of healing and living your life with integrity. .
As well as these, Dr. Yusim also lists these prompts to help you identify your truth and what is holding you back:
- What are you most afraid of someone finding out about?
- What’s the biggest lie I’ve ever told myself?
- What’s the biggest lie I’ve told other people?
- What part of yourself do you own and fully express?
- What part of yourself are you hiding and why?
describe your joy
Again, not every prompt needs to be emotionally exhausting or potentially triggering. Confronting the parts of yourself you don’t like is definitely scary at times. Shadow work journaling is a way to help you reflect on specific memories that made you feel complete and worthy throughout your life, and to record moments of joy and celebration. Notty suggests using her two questions as prompts: “Where is my joy?” When “Who am I?”
These optimistic questions resonate with Notty these days, she says. “People get caught up on the bad side of shadow work and healing, but sometimes it’s fun,” she shares. “Shadow work isn’t just for grief, loss, and pain. It’s also meant to express feelings of , peace, and romance.You don’t have to constantly focus on healing from something, you can also focus on finding yourself.”
This story was originally Allure.
