The Journaling Muse â Issue #38 The Shadows We Carry
A soft space to reflect, reconnect, and create with feeling.
Personal Reflection
Lately, Iâve been trying to live from my dream-life selfâthe version of me that Dr. Joe Dispenza describes, already whole, peaceful, and free.
But sometimes I slip back into old patterns. A headline, a twinge of pain, or a wave of fear from the world around me pulls me off course. Suddenly Iâm doubting, reacting, or losing patience with my bodyâs slow healing.
Each time I return to my journal, though, I find a quiet path home.
It reminds me that the parts of me that ache, resist, or fear are not my enemiesâ
theyâre unseen pieces asking to be met.
This, Iâve realized, is the shadow: not something to banish, but something to understand.
Last time, we stood at the Equinox, balancing light and dark.
Now, we turn inwardâto the landscapes within.
We all have them: the stories we hide, the wounds that shaped us, the traits weâve labeled âtoo muchâ or ânot enough.â
But what if the shadow isnât a monster lurking in the basement,
but a forgotten friend waiting patiently in the hallway of the heart?
What if it isnât here to harm us, but to protect us?
And what if, by inviting it out for a cup of tea and a conversation on the page, we donât give it powerâ
we reclaim the power weâve spent hiding it?
Letâs explore the shadows we carry, not with a blinding flashlight, but with a gentle lightâenough to see what theyâve been waiting to show us.
Where Our Shadows Come From
Understanding the shadow helps us meet it with compassion instead of fear.
The Inherited Shadow â Beliefs or burdens passed down through family or culture.
ââDonât show off.â âWe donât talk about money.â âYou have to be the strong one.â
The Wounded Shadow â Parts formed by past hurt or rejection.
The child who learned they were too loud, too sensitive, or never enough.
The Golden Shadow â Our hidden lightâtalents, creativity, or confidence we suppress for fear of shining too brightly.
The Silenced Shadow â Dreams and desires we mute because they seem inconvenient to our current life.
Journaling Prompts · A Conversation with Your Shadow
Phase 1 â Identification & Curiosityâ
đ§ł The Unpacking Suitcase â Imagine unpacking a suitcase youâve carried for years. Whatâs inside? An old fear? A hidden dream? A stubborn regret? List them without judgment.
đȘ The Doorway â Picture a closed door in your mind. Behind it is something you rarely let out. Describe the doorâits color, weight, sound, or energy.
Phase 2 â The Conversationâ
Letter to My Shadow
âDear Shadow of my [perfectionism/insecurity/anger], I see you.
Iâve been trying to ignore you, but today I want to understand.
Why are you here? What are you trying to protect me from?â
The Shadowâs Reply â Switch hands or simply switch perspective and let the shadow respond freely. It might whisper:
âIâm here to keep you safe from failure.â or âIâm angry because you stopped painting.â
Phase 3 â Integration & Thankingâ
The Gift in the Dark â Every shadow hides a gift: high standards, empathy, intuition, resilience. What is yours?
Thanking the Protector
âThank you, shadow, for trying to protect me by __________.
I am safe enough now to carry this lesson forward without the pain.â
Creative Spark · Giving Your Shadow a Form
With your non-dominant hand, draw the shape or feeling of one of your shadowsâwithout looking at the page.
Then write:
âThis is the shadow of my ______.
It looks like this because ______.â
When youâre done, take a moment to look at what appeared on the page.
Even without words, your shadow may already be telling you something new.
With warmth,
âBeĂĄta
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No matter what you choose, Iâm thankful our paths have touched. đż