The Shadow Work Workbook Celebrates 6 Months in Stores
My first book, The Shadow Work Workbook, celebrates over 6 month since publication!
As I’m writing this post, my first book The Shadow Work Workbook celebrates over 6 month since publication!
Writing a book is an extremely vulnerable position to put yourself in whether you’re in the business of sharing personal stories via memoir or guiding people through the self-help and nonfiction genres. While these formats aren’t created equal in this respect (memoirs are among the most vulnerable, no doubt) sharing your thoughts via permanent, written word means getting a lot of feedback on your tone, style and message. It’s probably the single most terrifying part about the writing and publishing experience, at least to me. I’ve heard, and read, of many other authors who share this feeling.
To be more than 6 months out from publication is a gift. One of the things that I’ve been a bit surprised, and delighted, by is hearing from a few people that they’ve gifted a copy of my book to someone they know. I don’t think there’s any bigger praise for an author, irrespective of genre.
I was at a personal event recently and got to catch up with some folks I consider extended family who I haven’t seen in years. One of the things I heard was how they were experiencing the book and sharing it with other people in their lives. To have that kind of affirmation is moving, and I know that I’ll continue to absorb this feedback and support as times goes on. Right now, I’m swimming in tears of gratitude.
If you’re also in the process of writing then you know how vulnerable the process can make you feel. The good news is that if you work alongside that fear, and write from your heart, your work will touch people. They won’t forget how you’ve made them feel, whether that’s 25 people or 25,000.
I’m starting to appreciate this idea much more these days.
The Shadow Work Workbook on Book Riot
The Shadow Work Workbook was included on Book Riot’s list titled “The Shadow Knows: 8 Books About Shadow Work.” Click the link below for more information.
Shadow Work on the Black Moon Lilith Rising Podcast
Recently, I was able to join my friend Adama on her podcast, The Black Moon Lilith Rising Podcast. In our episode we were able to talk about shadow work and how Jung unifies the worlds of psychology, spirituality and astrology. I had a lot of fun in this episode and hope that you enjoy listening!Listen to the episode at the link below:
https://www.lilithastrology.com/podcasts/black-moon-lilith-rising/episodes/2147824170
You can also learn more about Lilith Astrology and Adama's work at LilithAstrology.com and on Instagram @lilithastrology.
What Shadow Work Means & What to Expect
Writing a book is hard work. Marketing a book that you wrote is a whole different beast! I was glad to work with the Simon & Schuster team to create this quick video that talks a bit more about shadow work and how it can help you embrace your inner self.
Check out the clip below!
Shadow Work: Demystifying the Helpful, but Arduous 3 Stage Process
*This post contains an affiliate link.
In an earlier post, I wrote about what every beginner should know about shadow work. Today, I want to take it a step further and detail what I think are three main stages of shadow work.
The goal of shadow work is to make the unconscious conscious. You are able to make that connection through consistent effort in reflecting more deeply through practices such as shadow work journal prompts, trauma-informed grounding, and affirmations for self-compassion. The last bit is particularly important as shadow work typically involves contact with less desirable parts of yourself - and, of course, that doesn't always bring out the most hopeful thoughts and feelings for us.
Ultimately, shadow work has a lot of personal value and the goal is to heal parts of yourself that you didn't realize needed healing. Shadow work also helps you work to accept all parts of you because they are, well, part of what makes you YOU.
I think of shadow work as occurring in three main parts: detachment, exploration or growth, and integration.
3 stages of shadow work graphic jorel caraballo
Detachment
Detachment is a stage, or a state, of being disconnected from one's self and experiences. With respect to shadow work, this doesn't just involve being disconnected from feelings in any particular moment in your day, but more so being detached generally from your deep-seated feelings and worries. In my experience, this means also being detached (or often minimizing) the hurt you've experienced throughout different parts of your life.
If you ignore your pain you also miss an opportunity for relief and healing. You can’t heal what doesn’t hurt.
Detachment usually offers you the ability to not feel all the things you don't want to feel. It also affords you the ability of not disrupting the ways in which you like to see yourself, as is often necessary in shadow work.
This is the stage before any actual shadow work begins. It is usually the space we occupy most often and it often feels like discomfort and confusion about your own motivations and reactions. You may realize something isn't quite right but you're not sure what it is or how to go about addressing your concerns.
Exploration
This stage of shadow work is the first active stage of "work." Simply put, this is the work of reflecting more deeply, delving into your memories and making space for unconscious material to come up.
A shadow work workbook will help you by typically offering meditations and journal prompts to dig more deeply. Like most personal development work, it can ebb and flow depending on your capacity and other things going on in your life, and how you prioritize this kind of work.
In this stage you're like to experience a range of emotions like joy and relief, as well as sadness and grief. This stage is all about revealing deeper truths and making important psychological (and/or spiritual) connections. You are likely to learn a great deal about yourself and start to see a clear path towards self-acceptance and healing. That being said, this phase is often very tough to work through, as you might imagine.
Integration
This final stage is all about working to integrate the emotional material revealed in the exploration stage. This means finding a way to apply what you've learned in your reflections into everyday life.
For example, if you were able to learn about your pattern of feeling helpless, integration would look like implementing new ways to use your personal power or agency in situations in your life. That might sound like learning to set boundaries with loved ones or work, for example. Integration could also look like forgiving yourself for past mistakes and learning to live alongside your guilt without letting it completely derail your sense of self. You may adopt a practice of self-compassion to help you work on that. Any of these things can be worked on solo or with the help of a licensed therapist.
When you're in this stage, it can also feel surprisingly tough to adjust to the changes you're making in your life. You will have to deal with how your changes also impact those around you. The really great news is that you will feel a greater sense of ease and inner peace as you accept your imperfection.
I hope this provides some important clarity on what shadow work is and what to expect in the process.
You can learn more by connecting with me on Instagram @jorelcaraballo.
FAQ: What is shadow work?
Shadow work is the process of making the unconscious conscious. It was coined by Carl Jung to help promote internal self-awareness and acceptance.