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Getting to Know Your Shadow: Discovering the Hidden Parts of You

Have you ever wondered why you sometimes feel nervous or embarrassed, even when no one else seems to notice? That’s because we all have parts of ourselves that feel different things, and shadow work can help us learn about those hidden parts. Shadow work is like shining a gentle light on things inside of us so we can understand them better.


What is Your Shadow?

Your "shadow" is a part of you that holds feelings or memories you might not think about every day. It’s like a part of you that whispers thoughts or feelings in the background. Sometimes, shadows can feel big, like when you’re mad about something you didn’t know would upset you. Other times, they’re quiet, like when you feel shy for no reason. Shadow work is about learning to listen to these parts of ourselves so we can understand why we feel the way we do.


How Does Shadow Work Make You Stronger?

When you understand your shadow, you can feel braver and more confident. Shadow work helps you learn that all feelings are okay, even the ones that feel hard. For example, when you get frustrated or sad, it’s like your shadow is showing you something important. Maybe it’s telling you that you need a break or that you really care about something. By understanding these feelings, you become stronger and more in tune with yourself.


Fun Ways to Try Shadow Work:

  1. Draw Your Shadow Self – Draw a picture of yourself and add things that show how you feel. You could color parts of your drawing in dark or light colors to show feelings like happiness, sadness, or worry. This drawing doesn’t have to look like you; it can be as creative as you want! Use colors, shapes, or even words around your picture to describe the feelings you sometimes have. When you finish, look at your drawing and notice how it makes you feel.

  2. Ask Your Feelings Some Questions – When you feel a strong emotion, stop and ask it some questions. You could say, “Hello, feeling! Why are you here?” or “What are you trying to tell me?” Try writing down your answers. You might discover that you feel nervous because of something that happened before or that you’re excited about something coming up. Asking questions helps you become friends with your feelings.


A Little Magic Tip:

Sometimes, feelings just want to be noticed. When you feel something big or new, take a few deep breaths and notice where you feel it in your body, like a warm feeling in your stomach or a tightness in your chest. Give yourself a kind smile and say, “Thank you for sharing this feeling with me.” It’s like giving yourself a big hug for being brave enough to listen!


Celebrating All Parts of You!

Getting to know your shadow and all your feelings is something to be proud of. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at understanding yourself and growing in ways you might not have expected. So keep exploring, and remember: every feeling you have is part of what makes you uniquely you!


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