Unlocking Self-Discovery Through Shadow Work Journaling | Keila Shaheen
Aug 3, 2024
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Keila Shaheen, an author celebrated for her viral sensation The Shadow Work Journal, joins to explore the transformative power of shadow work journaling. She reveals how this practice uncovers our repressed thoughts and feelings, essential for self-discovery. Keila discusses the whirlwind of her unexpected success as a self-published author and how journaling connects people through shared experiences. The conversation also touches on rekindling joy and confronting inherited fears, making shadow work a vital tool for personal growth.
Shadow work journaling uncovers repressed emotions and experiences, essential for personal growth and understanding one's shadow self.
The rise of social media, especially TikTok, transforms how authors share their work and achieve viral success without traditional marketing.
Navigating sudden popularity as a creator highlights the importance of balancing authenticity with the expectations that come with success.
Deep dives
The Benefits of Journaling
Journaling is presented as a powerful tool for self-exploration and emotional release. It provides a safe space for individuals to express their thoughts and feelings without judgement, allowing for a therapeutic experience. The act of writing can lead to surprising revelations about oneself, uncovering hidden emotions and fostering self-awareness. This process helps individuals understand their internal struggles, potentially leading to personal growth and transformation.
Understanding Shadow Work
Shadow work involves delving into the parts of ourselves that we tend to suppress or ignore. This concept emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our fears, insecurities, and unrecognized desires, as these aspects play a crucial role in shaping our behaviors and beliefs. By confronting these hidden aspects, individuals can reclaim lost parts of their identity and find greater clarity in their lives. It serves as a pathway for self-discovery and healing, enabling us to embrace wholeness.
The Role of Social Media in Publishing
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have emerged as significant forces in shaping contemporary publishing success. Creators can leverage these tools to reach massive audiences rapidly, often bypassing traditional marketing strategies. The viral nature of content can lead to unexpected outcomes, such as self-published works gaining immense popularity in a short time. This shift highlights the evolving landscape of how books are marketed and consumed, emphasizing the power of community and word-of-mouth.
Finding Balance Between Ego and Authenticity
The discussion reveals the tension between artistic ego and the need for authenticity in creative expression. While a strong sense of self-worth can drive motivation and risk-taking, grounding work in honesty and purpose often yields deeper connections with the audience. Artists may struggle with self-doubt and the fear of being critiqued, yet it is essential to remain focused on the joy of creation. The conversation underscores the idea that personal fulfillment should remain at the forefront, rather than solely seeking external validation.
Navigating the Challenges of Success
Experiencing sudden success can evoke complex emotions, raising questions about identity and purpose. As works gain popularity, creators often confront the pressure of expectations and the fear of losing their original vision. Balancing newfound demands with personal authenticity becomes crucial in maintaining creative integrity. Embracing this journey involves acknowledging the impact of success on one's inner world and finding ways to navigate potential pitfalls while fostering continued growth.
Journaling allows us to release our thoughts and feelings, but shadow work journaling takes it to a much deeper level. Shadow work is based on Carl Jung's idea that we all have a “shadow self” which holds our repressed thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This side of us is hidden in our subconscious, but impacts how we show up in all areas of life.
Keila Shaheen, author of the viral sensation The Shadow Work Journal, joins Ryan to talk about what shadow work is, why shadow work journaling reveals hidden aspects of yourself, and how the Stoics spoke about the benefits of journaling. Keila also talks about navigating the unexpected viral success after self-publishing The Shadow Work Journal and what she has personally discovered about her own “shadow self”.