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Amazing journal prompts to encourage self-love (for beginners & experienced shadow workers alike)
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This article was co-authored by Kateri Berasi, PsyD and by wikiHow staff writer, Savannah Vold. Dr. Kateri Berasi is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Founder of The Centered Self, a therapy practice focused on women’s mental health, and Transcendent Self Therapy, a group practice that uses creative therapeutic approaches to support those who feel misunderstood, marginalized, or outside the norm. With nearly 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Berasi specializes in hormonal and fertility-related concerns, as well as working with creatively inclined individuals navigating identity, emotional depth, and life transitions. She offers individual therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, and Costume Therapy—a unique modality she developed. Dr. Berasi holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and completed her postdoctoral training at Columbia as well.
This article has been viewed 21,272 times.
Shadow work is an incredible way to take a lead role in your self-healing journey. Through a series of personal, emotionally strenuous questions that challenge your hidden inner-self, you can become better able to heal and grow from past traumas or learn from your mistakes for a better future. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive list of the best shadow work prompts for encouraging total well-being. Remember, you are your greatest strength!
Things You Should Know
- Shadow work examines your deepest, innermost self by asking and answering difficult, personal questions like, “What are my values?”
- Keep a shadow work journal to write down your prompt answers. This way, you can turn back to it in times of uncertainty for insight into your most intimate self.
- Shadow work can be emotionally strenuous. Be sure to listen to your body and take a break when needed—Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Steps
Section 1 of 45:
What is shadow work?
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Shadow work examines your inner self to promote healing and growth. Shadow work is all about looking inwards at the dark places we keep to ourselves and often push out of the way. By asking and answering difficult questions like, “Why am I so afraid of change?” we can better understand and push ourselves to overcome the hurdles that may be holding us back.- Shadow work can be very emotionally taxing. Remember to be kind to yourself and stop when needed—you can always return to your prompt another day when you feel stronger!
- Meditating before starting your shadow work may help to put you in a better, more receptive headspace.
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Shadow work focuses on the “shadow self” or the subconscious mind. As the name suggests, the “shadow self” is like a misty burial ground for parts of our personality (traits, emotions, and thoughts or memories) that we’ve repressed or hidden away, sometimes due to trauma. Through shadow work, memories and truths from your subconscious mind are brought forward to the conscious mind, making healing and growth possible through hard-won self-discovery and personal insights.[1]- Have you ever felt confused by your own actions, feelings, or thoughts? By better understanding the secret hideaways in your own mind, you'll get to know yourself more deeply. And with shadow work, to know is to love!
- Through these exercises, you'll start to develop a clearer and more sympathetic sense of yourself. And the more developed this understanding becomes, the more positive effect you'll see in you're likely to see in your life.
- Bring forth your shadow self by considering your insecurities and why you think they came to be.
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Section 2 of 45:
Why are you doing shadow work?
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Section 3 of 45:
What do you like about yourself?
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Section 4 of 45:
What makes you uncomfortable when you’re around others?
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Section 5 of 45:
What gives your life purpose?
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Section 6 of 45:
What memories make you ashamed?
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Section 7 of 45:
Who makes you feel appreciated?
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Section 8 of 45:
What do you consider failure?
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Section 9 of 45:
How do you measure success?
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Section 10 of 45:
What do you wish you could change about yourself?
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Section 11 of 45:
What do you love about yourself?
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Section 12 of 45:
What do you love about your friends and family?
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Section 13 of 45:
How would you describe yourself?
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Section 14 of 45:
What would it take to make you proud of yourself?
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Section 15 of 45:
Do you have a hard time setting boundaries?
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Section 16 of 45:
What boundaries have you set in your life?
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Section 17 of 45:
What boundaries do you need to set in order to heal?
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Section 18 of 45:
What are you most afraid of?
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Section 19 of 45:
How could you combat your biggest fear?
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Section 20 of 45:
How do you manage stress?[2]
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Section 21 of 45:
What are your strengths?
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Section 22 of 45:
What strengths do you admire in others?
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Section 23 of 45:
Who supports you the most?[3]
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Section 24 of 45:
What makes you the happiest?
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Section 25 of 45:
Who are your most fulfilling relationships with?
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Section 26 of 45:
How could you feel more comfortable around others?[4]
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Section 27 of 45:
Describe a positive scenario that impacted you greatly.
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Section 28 of 45:
Describe a scenario that impacted you negatively.
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Section 29 of 45:
What do you wish others did more of for you?
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Section 30 of 45:
What stops you from accomplishing your dreams?
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Section 31 of 45:
Are you afraid of confrontation?
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Section 32 of 45:
What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
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Section 33 of 45:
Do you have healthy relationships with friends and family?
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Section 34 of 45:
How do you show people that you care about them?
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Section 35 of 45:
What is your ultimate goal?
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Section 36 of 45:
Do you believe you are worthy of love?
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Section 37 of 45:
How were you shown love as a child?
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Section 38 of 45:
What do you look for in a relationship?
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Section 39 of 45:
How could you be a better partner or friend?
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Section 40 of 45:
Do you have a hard time showing up for yourself?
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Section 41 of 45:
Do you prioritize your mental health?
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Section 42 of 45:
How do you take care of your body?
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Section 43 of 45:
How do you treat your body?
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Section 44 of 45:
What do you dislike about yourself?
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Section 45 of 45:
How do you challenge yourself?
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What Are Shadow Work Prompts?
Join the Discussion...
Although I use shadow work prompts from books like Shadow Work Workbook, I think it’s better to write down everything that bothers you, instead of following prompts made by someone else. I like to list things that make me feel stressed, angry, fearful, or guilty, then choose one thing and write about it until I feel like I can walk away and breathe.
What areas do I need the most healing in? How can I become a more whole version of myself. What areas of my life have I been secretly neglecting? Where do you feel most out of control? What do I excuse, rather than address? What hurt me as a child, and what would I say to that hurting child, now?
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About This Article
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
This article was co-authored by Kateri Berasi, PsyD and by wikiHow staff writer, Savannah Vold. Dr. Kateri Berasi is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Founder of The Centered Self, a therapy practice focused on women’s mental health, and Transcendent Self Therapy, a group practice that uses creative therapeutic approaches to support those who feel misunderstood, marginalized, or outside the norm. With nearly 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Berasi specializes in hormonal and fertility-related concerns, as well as working with creatively inclined individuals navigating identity, emotional depth, and life transitions. She offers individual therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, and Costume Therapy—a unique modality she developed. Dr. Berasi holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and completed her postdoctoral training at Columbia as well. This article has been viewed 21,272 times.
Co-authors: 4
Updated: October 25, 2023
Views: 21,272
Categories: Personal Development
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 21,272 times.
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