Shadow Work, Triggers & Your Journal

What do you do when you're triggered? Do you call your BFF? Have a drink? How about we try this...Instead of always wanting to talk to people about how you feel when you’re triggered. It may be a better habit to write! I started doing this when I was young, but my mother read my journal and then proceeded to tell me my business back to me, like the shit was funny. She was laughing at my feelings. And that crushed me. I haven’t consistently journaled since then. I haven’t felt safe. I don't remember exactly how old I was; somewhere less than 12. Nevertheless, It created some type of trauma.

Shadow work. You've heard the words before; always used in conjunction with self-transformation and empowerment. But wtf is it really? For me, shadow work means going within and looking at the parts of yourself. The parts that no one sees. The parts that make you feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, exposed, angry to the point that you see red and all the colors. And working to heal those parts;  having a different response and reaction. And by embracing all your parts &  complexities and using them towards and for your highest good. 

It's the process by which we inspect ourselves. All the parts that make us up. The me, the I, and the Self. It's not an easy process and for some it takes a lot of self-accountability, self-responsibility, and introspection.  At some point, you will no longer feel like the victim in situations, but feel empowered! 

When writing or journaling. You release, but you also gain clarity. You can share experiences with your journal you may not feel comfortable sharing with others. And process the experience, whether good or bad without outside judgment. 

With so much going on in the world, talking to people about your genuine, innermost, feelings can be risky. But your journal will never lash out or judge you. 

An idea for those who don't feel safe to leave their personal thoughts and feelings on paper where someone might see, you can always burn the paper you wrote on after you've finished journaling.