Shadow work journals are practice books designed to help with various mental health issues, including trauma and PTSD. Just be prepared: Once you start, you may learn some profound things about yourself. You can use them if:
- You’ve dealt with trauma.
- You’ve overcome abuse.
- You’ve been in a toxic relationship.
- You’ve struggled with anxiety or depression.
- You’re facing PTSD.
- You have issues with parental figures.
- You overthink things.
- You can’t handle strong emotions.
The list goes on. Why are these journals trending? Keep reading to find out.
What Is the Shadow Work Journal?
The Shadow Work Journal: A Guide to Integrate and Transcend Your Shadows ($19.99, shop here) is the specific journal that’s been trending on social media lately. However, shadow work itself dates back to the late 1800s and psychiatrist Carl Jung. Fascinated with the unconscious mind, he developed self-exploration techniques to help people examine the inner workings of their personalities (their “shadows”).
Fast-forward to the present, and we ask again: What is The Shadow Work Journal? This notebook includes everything you need to face your inner shadows, including writing prompts, spaces to doodle, areas to take notes, and a personal commitment contract to finish.
How Do Shadow Work Journals Help?
Mental Health Progression
Not everyone wants or can afford therapy. Shadow work journals can be another way to address your mental health on your own terms. As you turn the pages, you may come to accept some hard truths, like why you felt unloved as a child, where your trauma originated, and why you wish you could change certain parts of yourself. Don’t give up. Adhere to the commitment and see where you are when you complete the journal.
The Prompts Allow Creativity and Depth Exploration
Some areas of the book allow more creativity than others, but throughout, it encourages you to get deep into your unconscious mind. Examples include circling words associated with certain questions, fill-in-the-blank sections where you use one or a few words, and paragraph sectors where you can elaborate on your answers. If you go to therapy, your responses may be a good starting point.
Additional Benefits
Some additional benefits of shadow work include:
- Developing better self-awareness.
- Making it easy to recognize healthy and unhealthy patterns.
- Helping understand recurring triggers.
- Promoting emotional healing.
- Furthering personal growth.
- Developing deeper relationships with loved ones.
- Eliminating or reducing stress.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason why The Shadow Work Journal was a bestseller on Amazon. It can help you deal with the deepest parts of your subconscious. Once you face your demons, real growth can happen – a necessary change for inner development.
Have you tried The Shadow Work Journal? Share your experience with us in the comments below!