Shadow Work & How To Do It
Alchemizing Your Shadow: Learning How to Embrace Your Power, Heal, and Transform.
When we start to get deep with ourselves, we begin asking essential questions like, Why do I feel this way? Why am I triggered? Why do I feel anxious or stuck? These are powerful questions that allow us to explore the deeper layers of who we are, unraveling beliefs and behaviors that might have been ingrained in us for years. Just by asking "why," we start uncovering insights about ourselves that lead to profound transformation.
This leads us directly into shadow work, and here's the formula I use to guide my practice:
Acknowledge the Trigger: The first step is simply noticing when something triggers you. Whether it's an emotion, a reaction, or a pattern—this is the entry point. Pay attention to what sparks discomfort or resistance.
Ask the "Why": Get curious about what is beneath that trigger. Ask yourself, Why am I reacting this way? What belief or fear is this triggering in me? Digging into the "why" is crucial for uncovering what’s beneath the surface.
Explore the Belief: The next step is to identify the belief or wound attached to that trigger. What part of you feels insecure, inadequate, or fearful? Shadow work is about recognizing these deep-seated beliefs without judgment.
Release the Judgment: After identifying the belief, the goal is not to criticize or condemn it, but to release judgment. We’ve all internalized societal or familial beliefs that may no longer serve us. Recognize that the belief was formed to protect you at one point, but it no longer holds the same power today.
Shift Your Perspective: With awareness comes the power to shift. Instead of reacting from a place of fear or insecurity, consciously choose a new, empowering belief that aligns with who you are now. This could involve affirmations, writing, or simply choosing to think differently about the situation.
Integrate and Heal: Finally, the most important part is integration. Shadow work isn’t about fixing or eradicating parts of yourself; it’s about acknowledging, accepting, and learning to love the parts of you that need healing. You can now hold space for both the light and the dark aspects of yourself.
The Power of Shadow Work and Why It’s Essential for Growth
You may have heard the term shadow work before, but let’s break it down. Shadow work is the process of uncovering the parts of ourselves that we’ve buried, repressed, or neglected; whether consciously or unconsciously. These parts of ourselves often carry the beliefs and emotions that we’d rather not deal with. But when we don’t face them, they keep influencing our decisions, our relationships, and even our sense of self-worth.
And shadow work isn't about fixing yourself. It’s not about being broken… it’s about bringing these hidden parts to the surface, acknowledging them, and integrating them into who you are. These shadows often hold the keys to unlocking our fullest potential. They are our wounds, yes, but they are also our wisdom, our raw power, and our deepest truths.
Facing our shadow isn’t easy -It takes courage. It requires being vulnerable with yourself and allowing yourself to feel everything that comes up. You might experience pain, discomfort, or fear, but the power of shadow work is in allowing yourself to feel those emotions without judgment. And when you do this work, you heal. And you transform.
Grounding and Meditation: Tools for Inner Transformation
One of the most powerful tools I've personally used in my journey of alchemizing my shadow is meditation. Even just 5 to 15 minutes a day of meditation can completely shift your frequency. In these moments of stillness, we tune into the higher consciousness, the divine energy that is always available to us.
Meditation brings us back to our natural state of peace. It connects us to the universe and, more importantly, connects us to ourselves. And if you’ve ever felt disconnected from your power, meditation is the most effective way to realign with it.
Nature has a similar healing effect. When you step outside and sit with the earth—whether it’s in a park or on the grass—it’s as if the earth itself is grounding you. In those moments, I find that my thoughts slow down, my worries dissipate, and I start to feel the calm that’s always been within me. Nature reminds me that I’m never really disconnected from God, the earth, or the universe. I’ve just been too distracted by the noise of modern life.
EFT Tapping: A Practice for Clearing Blocks and Reprogramming
Another tool I swear by in my own practice is EFT tapping, or Emotional Freedom Technique. If you’re unfamiliar, EFT involves tapping on specific points on your body while focusing on certain thoughts, emotions, or beliefs you want to clear. It’s a simple technique that has profound effects on shifting emotional and mental blocks.
For example, when I feel anxiety or doubt creeping in, I tap on my hand while saying an affirmation like, “Even though I’m feeling anxious, I choose to relax and trust in myself.” It might sound simple, but the impact is so powerful. I’ve used EFT to clear old beliefs, reprogram my mind, and move stuck energy.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or blocked, I highly recommend trying EFT tapping. It’s a quick, easy, and incredibly effective way to reset your mindset and shift your energy.
The Power of Believing in Others—and Yourself
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes we don’t have enough belief in ourselves to take the next step. But the beauty of human connection is that others can sometimes see the potential in us that we can’t see in ourselves. They believe in us when we can’t believe in ourselves.
I had a client—a woman in her 30s—who came to me, feeling uncertain about her abilities to become a relationship coach. She had just come out of an abusive relationship and didn’t feel worthy or capable of helping others. She had doubts about her qualifications, fears of judgment, and a deep sense of imposter syndrome.
But here’s the truth: Your past doesn’t disqualify you from being a teacher; it actually qualifies you. Your wounds, your challenges, and your story are exactly what make you the perfect guide for others. I reminded her that no one is more qualified to teach about healing and overcoming adversity than someone who has lived it.
Who would you trust to guide you through a storm? Someone who has never been in one, or someone who’s weathered the storm themselves? Her healing process was her strength, not her weakness. And when she embraced this, everything started to shift.
The Golden Shadow: What You Admire Is What You Can Embody
There’s a powerful concept called the "golden shadow" that I want to touch on. The things you admire in others are often reflections of what you can embody in your own life. If you admire someone’s confidence, it’s because deep down, you know you have that confidence within you, too. If you admire someone’s creativity, their brilliance -it’s not just them that you admire, it’s a part of you that you can step into.
Admiration is often a clue to what you can become. It’s not about feeling jealous or wanting to be them -it’s about recognizing the qualities that resonate with you and allowing yourself to fully embody them.
That admiration is not something to suppress. It’s an invitation to step into your own power. So, if you admire someone’s boldness, their authenticity, their sense of freedom—let that inspire you to live that in your own life. The golden shadow is about seeing the potential within others and recognizing that same potential within yourself.
Shadow Work Is Not About Fixing, It’s About Embracing Your Wholeness
I want to make one thing clear… shadow work is not about fixing you. You are not broken. You are whole, complete, and perfect in your essence. Shadow work is about accepting all of who you are—your light and your dark. It’s about honoring the parts of you that have been neglected or rejected and integrating them into your consciousness.
When you start this process, it may feel uncomfortable. You might resist certain parts of yourself. But trust me, the more you embrace those parts, the more you’ll begin to experience peace, clarity, and empowerment. The goal is not to get rid of the "bad" parts of yourself, but to love them, understand them, and transform them into your greatest strengths.
Embodying Your Power and Owning Who You Are
The final piece of the puzzle is about embodying your power and owning all of who you are. You are the creator of your reality. You’ve always had the power within you to transform and alchemize your life. No one can take that from you.
You are an alchemist. You are a healer. You are a creator. And you don’t need anyone’s permission to step into your fullest power. The world is waiting for you to show up as your authentic self.
So, if you’re ready to step into your power, to heal and alchemize your shadow, I’m here to support you.
Let’s dive deep, uncover the hidden wisdom within you, and watch how your life transforms as you align with your true, authentic self. <3
