Writing Journal Worksheet – The Shadow (PDF)
I’ve talked about what a huge revelation it was to me to try shadowworking for the first time. I thought this worksheet could help guide you to some insights about your own shadow, or perhaps your character’s shadow.
Some questions to explore:
- How are the shadow aspects all linked together?
- How do you (or your character) project the shadow onto other people?
- How aware are you (or your character) about this tendency to project?
- How were aspects of the shadow created in backstory?
- How is the shadow personified?
The aim isn’t to remember what a terrible person you are – quite the opposite! Shadowwork helps you recognise the Shadow at work, so you’re less likely to “Hulk out” (or “Hyde-out”) because you’ve been casting it as the “bad guy” and suppressing it. The Shadow isn’t bad. One of its primary functions is to protect the ego, which is a fragile thing; once you see the Shadow in this light you may well find yourself sympathising with a part of you that you’ve been treating like a naughty child (or worse) for all of your life.
Warning
This worksheet does come with a note of caution, however: please make sure you’re ready for this work. Trust your instincts if they tell you that now isn’t the time. Shadowwork can be emotionally rough. Take care!
