Self Care Monday

The Antidote - Your Weekly Remedy

Get in losers, we’re working on our mental health.

Ever heard of shadow work? It's this super cool method where we look into the corners of our minds and deal with those unresolved feels, old hurts, and parts of us we kinda try to ignore. Shout out to Carl Jung – that genius Swiss dude – who said we all have this shadowy part that needs some love and understanding to truly grow and shine.

Now you’re probably wondering where this came from.

A couple of years ago, I hit this point in my life where I felt stuck. You know that feeling? Like you're just going through the motions, and life's become this predictable loop. It wasn't depression, but it was like living in this gray zone. Then, during a girls' weekend trip to a yoga retreat in Sedona (totally recommend, by the way!), I attended a workshop titled, "Unearthing the Unseen: A Journey to Wholeness". Sounds deep, right?

That's where I was introduced to the magic of shadow work. And by magic, I mean this eye-opening, transformative, sometimes tear-jerking method of diving deep into the self. I learned about Carl Jung and how he believed we all have parts of ourselves we don't always acknowledge.

At first, I was skeptical. Why would I want to dredge up old feelings? But then, during a guided meditation, something clicked. Memories surfaced, emotions swelled, and I realized there were aspects of myself that I'd been sidelining or even suppressing.

And you know what? Taking that journey with my shadows didn't just help me confront past traumas. It also made me more aware of patterns I'd unknowingly repeated in relationships, career choices, and even in how I treated myself.

Now, why should you care? Well, if you've ever felt like something's holding you back, or if you've ever wondered why you react a certain way in specific situations, shadow work might just be your key. It's a personal journey, for sure, but it's one that can lead to profound understanding, self-acceptance, and ultimately, growth.

So, how do we do this shadow work? We light up those inner dark corners with things like meditation, journaling, maybe even therapy, and just some good ol' self-reflection. Especially with all the crazy stuff happening in the world now, ain't it about time we gave our minds some TLC? Life might throw us curveballs, but that doesn't mean we let our minds go all haywire.

By doing shadow work, we get this awesome chance to really get ourselves. We face and embrace those parts we might usually avoid, and that's super empowering. Yeah, it can be tough – like looking at old embarrassing photos – but the growth? Girl, it's so worth it! Loving this journey for us!

And the best part? Shadow work helps us break out of those annoying habits where we might be our own worst enemy. By understanding our shadows, we see how they play into our everyday life – influencing our choices and feelings.

I'm not saying it's a one-size-fits-all answer. But for me, and maybe for you, it's a path worth exploring. So, why not dive in and see what's lurking in your shadows? You might just discover a brighter, more authentic you waiting to shine.

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Monday Mantra

Your Monday Mantra to start this week is: 

Embrace the journey, for within change lies endless potential.

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Song of the Week: About You - The 1975