You cannot do shadow work while scrolling your phone. Set aside 20 minutes, turn off notifications, light a candle, or brew tea. Your nervous system needs to know it is safe to descend into uncomfortable memory.
Coined by psychiatrist Carl Jung, the “shadow” represents the traits, desires, and emotions we reject or hide (e.g., anger, jealousy, shame, trauma). Shadow work is the practice of bringing these unconscious aspects into awareness—not to eliminate them, but to understand and integrate them. This process can lead to greater self-acceptance, emotional resilience, and authenticity. The Shadow Work Journal Pdf