Some Shadow Work

Here are some selections from the book The Shadow Work Journal. For those of you who do not know shadow work is exploring parts of yourself that you might have repressed or minimized or did not heal from because you didn’t/ couldn’t face them (this happens more often than you think). Here’s some of my work. Feel free to do your own shadow work and don’t forget to provide aftercare to yourself after.

Fill in the Blank

I always feel like I’m the broken__ one.

Writing/music/eating_____ is how I manage to escape

___Lying in my bed with Justin or after Mom says goodnight_____ brings me peace

I am so tired of _____getting depressed for no reason____ and ____losing poetry slams____ but am excited about _____hosting more slams_____ and _____Cape Cod.

I want to try to be more _____independent_____ so I can finally ______get a job, move in with Justin and adopt a couple of cats and dogs________

For some reason, I always end up _____dreaming of the past_____.

I deserve________respect, kindness, love and _____tenderness, validation and appreciation.

Reflection Questions

Why am I sometimes seduced into a lack mentality?

I think I’m used to things being taken from me but in some ways I’m also lucky. I was the only one in the hospital who received regular visitors that were not from a lawyer.

What self improvement techniques can I use to replace my negative thoughts with a more empowering belief about myself?

• Self care 

• Taking care of myself (you would think this would be the same as self care but it’s not. Self-care is above and beyond- using face masks and bubble baths and giving yourself the afternoon off. Taking care of yourself is doing the minimum so you don’t burn out. This includes taking showers, eating well and getting to bed on time. For some weird reason, self care is easier for me. At least its more fun)- “this too shall pass”

• Building mastery in different areas like knitting and ASL

What kind of thinking do I need to adopt in order to step outside my limiting beliefs and focus on what excites me? 

1. One day at a time. Although I do have a problem with alcohol, this mantra is not only for alcoholics and addicts. Its for people suffering, people grieving, people not sure they can make it. I used it every time I was in the hospital because if I thought about being there for days on end I knew I’d cry or require medication. I took it day by day and when that wasn’t enough hour by hour. “Okay this hour is all about poetry” I’d tell myself.

2. Things look better in the morning. 

3. I have a beautiful soul, that’s what matters. 

4. I am loved.

5. Reach for the stars.