Shadow Work Journal Prompts

In a previous post, I touched on the importance of understanding what Shadow Work is before just diving right into it or giving into a product on social media. One of the tips mentioned in that post on beginning shadow work was to keep a shadow work journal. In this post, however, I'll be sharing a lengthy list of journal prompts that I'll personally be using for myself. I figured I would share them, because I find them thought provoking and what better way to deeply reflect than to provoke our thoughts? Without further dillying and dallying, here is that list!

1. On what do you base your self worth?
2. What makes you feel abandoned and why?
3. What are your codependent behaviors and are they toxic?
4. Are you seeking new traumas to cover up old ones?
5. How do you believe others see you and how does it make you feel?
6. What are the worst traits a person can possess? Why so?
7. What makes you judgemental to others and why?
8. What memories are you ashamed of?
9. Who do you envy and why?
10. Write a letter to someone who hurt you and speak your mind.
11. What scares you and how can you safely expose yourself to that fear?
12. What emotions bring out the worst in you and why?
13. When was the last time you self-sabotaged and what do you think triggered it?
14. Which friendships make you feel safe, secure, and valued?
15. Which relationships no longer server you and why?
16. What is something you wish others understood about you?
17. What are some lies you've told yourself recently and why?
18. What is your worst childhood memory? What is your worst character trait as a result?
19. What are my parents' best and worst character traits?
20. How do I feel when drama occurs and how do I react/respond?
21. What makes you feel self-conscious?
22. What makes you feel unsafe?
23. What do I currently have a grudge against and why can't I let it go?
24. Who has let you down the most? Why does it hurt today?
25. What makes you feel valued and why?
26. What traits in others do you wish you had and why might you not have them?
27. What are you personal core values and why are they important to you?
28. What are your parents' core values and how do they differ from yours?
29. When are you the hardest on yourself and why might that be so?
30. How do you define failure and how does failure make you feel?
31. What do you do when you are bored?
32. Are there negative emotions I try to avoid? Why do I avoid them?

There we go, that should be enough to provide at least one prompt every day for a month, including an extra, you know, leap years. I feel that these question are thought provoking enough to answer in one's personal shadow working journal, but please keep in mind these are just examples and this isn't some official list I found somewhere... these are just some questions I've found in multiple places and compiled them together.

These questions look to be designed specifically for reflection and self-analyzing... and some even involve looking back at possibly traumatic times or events, but please keep in mind that these are all optional. Do not force yourself to face trauma that you are not ready to face!

Tips for Beginning Shadow Work:

- Keep an open mind.
- Practice compassion.
- Be patient with yourself.
- Make time for your shadow.
- Reflect on your progress.

Always remember to reflect on your progress. In fact, between prompts or questions, I would recommend writing at least one paragraph (three to five sentences, not exceeding seven) reflecting on your progress, successes, achievements, and positive thoughts for the day. Always end on a positive note, because in the end, even if shadow work hurts, it's not meant to hurt you directly. 

Shadow Work can hurt, but it's a fire we all eventually end up walking through. Don't worry, you will come out unscathed.