Welcome back to our Shadow Work series. We've talked about our inner critics, our reactions to rejection, and the stories we tell ourselves about why we are not enough. Today, we're going to the heart of what these beliefs suppress: our beautiful, authentic desires. Many of us have dreams we've tucked away, not because we don't want them, but because a part of our shadow has convinced us they are "silly," "selfish," or "impossible."
Our journal prompt for today is: "What desire or dream do I hide because I think it’s selfish, silly, or impossible?"
Think about that secret yearning you have—the one you only let yourself think about in the quiet of the night. Maybe it’s a desire to quit your job and become a full-time artist. Or to travel the world for a year. Or to write a book, even though you’ve never written anything before. These desires are not random; they are guideposts to your authentic self, the parts of you that yearn for expression and joy.
So why do we hide them? The act of labeling a desire as "silly," "selfish," or "impossible" is a defense mechanism. Our shadow, in its desire to keep us safe and accepted, is acting as a gatekeeper.
- "Silly": This label often comes from a childhood where our dreams were met with dismissal or ridicule. We learned that to avoid shame, it's safer to keep our most heartfelt desires hidden.
- "Selfish": This label is often a byproduct of a culture that praises martyrdom and self-sacrifice. We've been taught that prioritizing our own happiness is a form of vanity, a belief that keeps us playing small and putting everyone else's needs before our own.
- "Impossible": This is a powerful lie that comes from a fear of failure. Our shadow would rather keep us in a state of unfulfilled yearning than have us try and fail, thereby confirming our deepest insecurities. It’s a way of protecting us from the pain of disappointment.
The problem is that these hidden desires don't just go away. They linger in our shadow, often manifesting as resentment, a feeling of being "stuck," or a deep sense of unfulfillment. The energy we use to suppress these dreams is the same energy that could be used to bring them to life.
Shadow work helps us to shine a light on these dreams. This week’s prompt is an invitation to acknowledge them without judgment. You don't have to quit your job tomorrow or book a flight around the world. The first, most powerful step is simply to admit the dream to yourself.
You can even create a vision board or do a vision journal or scrapbook. Don’t know where to start, check out this Vision Board Book, it has so many ideas. This can be something you look at regularly in order to feel into the emotions of having your dreams, even those silly ones.
By doing so, you are telling the universe and your own psyche that you are no longer willing to hide this part of yourself. You are giving yourself permission to honor a desire that is uniquely yours. When you separate the dream from the limiting belief, you can begin to see it as a possibility, not an impossibility. You can start to take small, brave steps toward it, one act of self-love at a time. This is how we begin to live a life that feels authentic, vibrant, and fully our own.
If you want more tips and support, find me on TikTok, find me on TT:@ starseedsarah. Let's continue this journey to balance and purpose, and let our energy show what we choose to focus on – success, love & courage!
Thank you for supporting my family through affiliate links, by checking out some of my favorite things (my hubby says I have too many favs 😂).
0 Comments