One crucial aspect of this process is letting go of the shame that we are carrying. We recognize that shame arises from societal conditioning, as well as judgment we may have picked up from our caregivers. By embracing our shadows, we release the hold that shame has on us and allow ourselves to fully accept and love ourselves as a whole.

An essential aspect of shadow work is releasing the emotional charge around certain parts of ourselves. Often, we have labeled certain qualities or traits as bad and shameful. These labels can be deeply ingrained, and they create a disconnection within us. Through shadow work, we shed light on these aspects, understanding that they exist in all of us, and we learn to integrate and even celebrate them.

Our shadow is created through the experiences of not feeling loved or accepted for certain parts of ourselves. But by detaching ourselves from these shadow parts, we unknowingly give them more power over us than is beneficial for us.

For example, someone that has “lazy” in their shadow. Their whole life they are running away from that part of themselves, so scared someone could find out they have a side to themselves that is “lazy” that they don’t allow themselves to rest at all. They constantly keep so busy that it can quickly lead to burnout and/or workaholism.

Other shadow examples are feeling "dumb," “ugly," or "mean."

By integrating these parts on a subconscious level, we release the emotional charge and regain the freedom to live our lives as our true selves - flourishing in authenticity.