Free the Creative Energy of Your Shadow
Meet your shadow with today's playful, practical imagination practice.
It’s October, Brave Ones, when things can get spooky. If shadowy insecurities stop you from trusting your brave creative urges, you are NOT alone. Today’s 5-minute Closet Door mediation (below) is for us. But first, a love song for our sponsors, water, shadow and light:
Suppressing your shadow steals your brave creative energy.
In Jungian psychology, the Shadow represents the frayed emotional baggage—like shame and guilt—that you shove to the back of your mind because you can't face it. It's the monsters who lurk at the edge of your comfort zone, casting fear and doubt on the light you want to bring into the world.
Carl Jung believed all humans have a shadow; it’s normal and natural to avoid painful sh*t. Still, your shadow goes with you everywhere, and can run the show of your life.
We expend a tremendous amount of energy to hide our shadow self from others. To meet your shadow frees this energy and can quiet the fears that stand in our way.
It’s brave and utterly transformational to face your shadow.
When grief cracked me open to the scary portals of midlife, my partner gifted me “The Red Book,”1 Jung’s illustrated personal journals that document his intense midlife journey. Too big to fit on the shelf, this massive book changed my life and creative work. Dr. Jung inspired me to be brave enough to explore my dark sh*t.
I devoted morning writing sessions to practicing Jung’s Active Imagination methods. Through many deep dives into my soul, I discovered the self-sabotaging shadows that haunt my unconscious (I now lovingly call them my Monkeys). Once out of the closet, these inner child ‘characters’ have become essential co-creators of a braver life.
Shadow material is a rich, dark compost bin for all creatives. Meeting my shadows fertilized years of meaningful, joyful, playful creative work2 (plus the practices I share).
Why Shadow Work is worth the dread.
As I developed my deck of creative healing tools, a search revealed “The Tools,” a book of brave practices3 by Hollywood therapist Phil Stutz and social worker Barry Michels. Drawing from Jung’s philosophy, they coach their brilliant creative clients to face the deepest insecurities that stand in the way of getting their best work done.
“As the liaison to the unconscious, the Shadow is the source of all creativity and agility in life, business, and art, which Michels calls “flow.” ”4
What’s their secret to leading a fulfilling creative life with less fear? To meet your Shadow, love your Shadow, and invite your Shadow to stand beside you in the most risky or terrifying moments (pitching your ideas, meetings, performances, etc.).
Substackers on Shadow Work:
“I discovered that in learning to love our darker shadow, we find the way to set it free.” ~
, Love and Decibels“When I leaned into my shadow I started to love all parts of me—even (especially) the parts I was trying to hide. I couldn’t hide anymore, and leaning in and falling in love with those parts of me gave me my life back. I probably wouldn’t be here… if I hadn’t made friends with my shadow…” ~
, Loving the Dark Parts“If we ignore our shadow it doesn’t go away but takes on a life of its own.” ~
“What if we longed to be in relation with our shadows like Peter Pan. Playfully pursuing our elusive shadow, turning to face it, daring to get close enough to hold it.” ~ Amy Simons,
What we resist, persists.
If your Shadow stays in the closet, insecurities can stifle your authentic voice. Feeling brave? Try the Closet Door practice below. Let’s bring our shadowy stories into the light. See you in the comments 💗
We all do better with support! Become a Mostly Brave crew member to join our monthly Brave Creative Ritual for 25% off < click link ($40 /year = $3.75 /month, .87 /week)
Today’s practice: The Closet Door
May this tool inspire brave Shadow work (this act of self-love is more than 5 minutes). The video features my ridiculous alter-ego Queen Poopicina sharing the potty-mouth, ‘Holy Sh*t’ 💩 version of the tool and a spontaneous song. Or follow the steps below.
The Closet Door: What do I avoid knowing about myself?
NOTE: This is deep inner work. Find a safe space. Call on support as needed.
BREATHE fully.
RECALL a time when you suffered from mean self-talk, the dread of insecurity, or believed that you’re a bad person.
VISUALIZE standing near a dark closet. It’s where you keep your secrets: parts of you that seem horrible or shameful. You rarely go there.
BREATHE again, more deeply, for courage. NOTICE you stand in the light; you’re ready to face whatever is there.
TURN the handle, feel its weight. OPEN the door, step in and say, “I’m here to meet you, Shadow.”
NOTICE any shapes, expressions, color, sounds or sensations? Give this some time. Be open, willing, and curious.
GREET this energy with kindness and acceptance. Hang out. If nothing shows up for you, try again when the time feels right.
REFLECT when you’re ready: “My shadow is...”
Creative Prompts to Befriend Your Shadow Side
EXPLORE: Write or share any details of how it felt to open that door (add a comment?👇🏽)
CREATE: Draw, paint or move your body to express your Shadow side (it’s ok if it’s mysterious).
MANIFEST: This week, imagine walking side by side with your Shadow. Name and claim those aspects of you that you typically hide away. Rage? Sadness? Shame?
🗣️ Your turn: Facing your shadow: Do you lean in? Light up? Or run away, screaming? Could you love your darker side? How does it feel?
Thank you for stepping bravely into that dark closet 💝 When you like 💗, comment, or share with someone who’s willing to dive deep, you help all of us be more brave.
More to come,
The Red Book was closeted in a Swiss vault for 25 years. Check out the Reader's Edition.
“Spark Story: Making Friends with Fear and all her Nicey, Spicey, Freaky, Sneaky Ways,” is my performance piece about meeting my shadow selves (also known as parts work).
“The Tools: 5 Tools To Help You Find Courage, Creativity, And Willpower–And Inspire You To Live Life In Forward Motion,” by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels.
“Hollywood Shadows” a New Yorker piece on how Stutz and Michels guide famous clients to face their shadows.
I love it, Christine, i LOVE it! Such a well-written, entertaining, insightful piece, topped with beautiful illustrations (all of them) and your video from the Throne was the best! Although I did shadow work some years back, new (old) ones can pop up again and again when least expected.
Gorgeous card deck, too. I saw it on your website last week (I had a sneaky peek and thought it was a really cool idea!).
Before i forget - thank you for the mention, too.
Beautifully written, Christine. Thank you for the shout-out. This deck of yours looks amazing!! I love the closet door concept as well.