Have you ever wondered… about your shadow? I have. I used to avoid my shadow at all costs; that foolish approach only proved to be to my own detriment and deterioration. We should not hide from ourselves, else we may devolve even further. You can wear masks for everyone else, but your body will not fool itself. Your true, inner authenticity will break free in some way, shape, or form eventually. I sugjest allowing your breakout to happen in a healthy and controlled way. Else, you may not enjoy the uncontrolled alternative.
Those parts of yourself that you desperately want to hide and destroy will gain power over you. The best thing to do is face and own them, because they are forever a part of you.
-Janet Mock
I will be fully honest and transparent here. I thought I could move through life, being my best self, with only the light side of me. It took many conversations with multiple close friends to make me finally realize that I should not fear my shadow. Instead, I should embrace it and use it for my best next steps whenever it serves the best purpose. Otherwise, at best, only half of my entire best is trying to move me forward in life.
Now, as I slowly but surely integrate myself more fully, I can bring more of my entire being into each best next step. The difference is noticeable and significant. My personal output and productivity have improved alongside an increased sense of wholeness and well-being that are wonderfully worthwhile. Why wait while wilting and withering?
To only live with half of yourself is to be like a fish out of water or a flame with no access to fresh air and oxygen to use as fuel. You are slowly suffocating yourself. Is that what you want to be doing? I certainly hope not. I hate square breathing because of the breath holds; I deeply cherish my inhales and exhales evenly; I am equally learning to evenly cherish my light and shadow sides. Synergistically, the two make me a better person than only one of them. I burn better and brighter, integrating my being more authentically.
Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire.
-St. Catherine of Siena
Are you ready to start your shadow work? I hope so. Good luck. It is not easy, but it is worth it. A future, more authentic version of you will thank the current you for trying :) Show up with your light and your shadow. Use them both accordingly in the best way.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.