Shadow Work: What Happens When You Finally Face What You’ve Been Avoiding?

October often brings up themes of darkness—longer nights, shadowed trees, Halloween imagery. But what about the shadows inside us?

In psychology, shadow work is the process of facing the parts of ourselves we usually avoid: the guilt, the anger, the shame, the fear.

It’s not easy work. But it is healing work.

What Is the “Shadow”?

Coined by Carl Jung, the “shadow” represents the unconscious aspects of our personality that we reject or deny. For example:

• Saying “yes” when you mean “no” because you fear rejection

• Downplaying your success because you were taught not to brag

• Holding grudges because you don’t know how to process hurt

We all have a shadow. But ignoring it doesn’t make it disappear—it makes it louder in other ways.

3 Ways to Start Shadow Work

1. Notice your emotional triggers. They point to unhealed places.

2. Write about what you judge in others. These often reflect denied parts of self.

3. Practice radical honesty. Start with yourself.

Shadow work isn’t about perfection—it’s about integration.

The goal isn’t to get rid of the dark. It’s to understand it, so it no longer controls you.

This October, go deeper. Your healing is not in avoiding the shadow—but walking with it.