What is shadow work and how can my art facilitate it?
Hey MAH!
mother.artist.healer
👋 Kya here.
Your healing-nerd mom friend.
Today, I wanna chat about shadow work art and how your art can facilitate your healing.
Let’s dive in…
What is shadow work?
As children, we reject aspects of ourselves to gain approval from parents and caregivers. Unknowingly, this creates a split within us; our conscious and our subconscious.
Psychoanalyst, Carl Jung coined this rejected side of ourselves as The Shadow.
I know the term sounds scary...but it’s totally not. Everyone has a shadow side...and it’s not some Emperor Palpatine vs. Darth Sidious type situation.
It’s not The Dark Side or some evil force trying to take over so that it can obtain unlimited powerrrrrr!
In a way, The Shadow was created to protect you. Fitting in and being a part of a tribe has been essential for human survival since forever.
Shadow work helps us to realize the parts of ourselves that we have suppressed - including fears, desires, feelings and interests.
One of the easiest ways to identify your shadow side is to take note of the things you judge.
Still feeling your artwork isn’t up to par?
Been secretly bent outta shape for the last 5 years because you haven’t lost the baby weight?
Fear being assertive because you don’t wanna come off as a self-righteous bitch?
You know that pesky inner critic you have?? That nagging voice is technically your shadow side rejecting you.
Why is shadow work important?
As mothers, it’s vital to do this work so that we don’t pass these patterns on to our kids. (👋 Hello generational trauma!)
Shadow work allows you to show up fully in your life.
Three things that I see commonly being subconsciously suppressed are creativity, sexuality and anger.
No surprise there right? Lesbihonest.
You know what these three things all have in common? PASSION.
We need ALL aspects of ourselves to be present in order for us to be whole, passionate beings...even the “dark sides”.
By identifying our shadow self we integrate these areas into our lives...and we begin to finally love and accept these parts of us.
How do you do shadow work?
How much time do you have? J/k...but this is definitely not an “easy button” healing situation. Afterall you’ll be uncovering decades of hidden trauma. (sounds fun right?)
Prepare to be triggered.
Like I mentioned earlier, one of the easiest ways to identify your shadow self is to be aware of what AND WHO you are judging.
“How dare that hussy wear that dress to the PTA meeting!”
Projecting much?
Sit with yourself and become aware of your consciousness.
The key is not judging whatever thoughts and feelings come up.
Shadow work for artists.
Lucky you, momma! You already know that you are creative and in being so have a healthy outlet!
Like I mentioned earlier, creativity is a common thing that is hidden in our shadow side.
“I can’t do that. I didn’t go to school for that. I’m not a reaaaaal artist.”
So I believe that you still have so much inside of you to be uncovered!
Lean in with your craft.
Heck, I double dog dare you to start a passion project which uses your current area of interest and combines it with whatever you uncover during self-reflection.
Art gives you the space to unleash your thoughts...with color, with words, pattern, and sound.
Collaborate with your shadow self as a way to listen to your inner child.
Be aware of what you are feeling and what thoughts surface.
Push your limits.
Explore.
Play.
Encourage your suppressed feelings to rise within you and to exit through your paintbrush, poetry or art medium of choice.
“Our art may show up as flamboyant, aggressive, morbid, corny, disgusting, primal, spiritual, provocative and totally outrageous.” - Tona Pearce Myers, The Soul of Creativity: Insights into the Creativity Process
Dangers of shadow work
Honestly, there are no dangers to doing shadow work that are more dangerous than NOT doing the work.
Iit may bring up some feelings of resentment from the caregivers that you feel conditioned you. What I do in this situation is tell myself that they were doing the best they could.
It doesn’t mean it was right...but it helps.
You are not perfect, but aren’t you doing the best you can for your kids? Give your caregivers the same grace.
AND in many instances we learn our behaviors from observing the world around us. Your dad may not have outwardly voiced that he didn’t want you hanging with skaters. You can recall his remarks about how unkempt they looked with their long hair and how they were all such time-wasters.
Because of this, you internalized that there was a right and wrong “type” of person to associate with.
Anyway...I think that’s enough for you to chew on. Hope the information was helpful.
**Awkward fist bump.** I’m out.