Shadow Work

Each of us carries a shadow—the hidden aspects of ourselves that subtly influence every moment of our lives, often without our awareness. This shadow shapes our attachments, the way we see the world, and is a key part of our identity. It emerges in our inner conversations, the assumptions we make about others, our perspectives on life, and our automatic reactions to unexpected situations. Sometimes, it gently shifts how we perceive things, altering our understanding just a little. Other times, it disrupts our very being, sparking emotional and irrational responses to otherwise insignificant events.
In simpler terms, our shadow is made up of the parts of ourselves we’ve repressed, forgotten, or been taught to ignore. This process of repression is a natural part of growing up and fitting into society. To live within a community, we must conform to its expectations and norms. Stray too far from these expectations, and we risk being excluded.