Shadow Work · Coming Out Cosmic Community

Shadow Work

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to share a little of my shadow work journey and then open it up for anyone who felt like sharing what they're working on 💜💙

Let's be here for each other and show we're never alone! I have a feeling that there will be very similar shadows among us... 😅

I'm sure you all have an understanding of what shadow work is, but anything that triggers kind of an initial negative knee-jerk reaction... that should probably be explored. Ask yourself "Why am I feeling bothered, annoyed, upset about this?"

When I got my most recent tattoo, the tattoo artist kindly said "I do free touch ups within the first year. So just reach out if you feel you deserve that!" I CRINGED internally and thought "Deserve???!! Why would someone just deserve this?"

After some very insightful prompts from ChatGPT, I have been able to really dig into what the word "Deserve" represented to me at the beginning of this work. There was no question thinking "Every single being deserves kindness" because of course I believe that. But when you frame it "I deserve X service or compensation" that's what gives me the ick. More digging and it really boils down to limiting beliefs that have been taught to me. From being asked many times as a kid by trusted adults what makes me so entitled to being asked if I just mooch off my parents, these all very much shaped what someone should or shouldn't DESERVE in the world around me. And even deeper than that, am I important enough to deserve anything? For a loooong time, the answer would be "No, I don't deserve anything. And, in fact, I only bring pain and frustration to others"

I had some realizations today and I'm just soooo proud of myself for sticking with the shadow work! It can be so hard to face these things, but they're so important (in my opinion) for growth.

Thanks for reading even if you don't want to share your own journey! 😄💜

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