| Whether you like it or not, the people in our lives reflect the darker aspects of ourselves back to us, and we project our shadow onto other people by passing judgment and criticism their way. |
| “The shadow is prone to psychological projection, in which a perceived personal inferiority is recognized as a perceived moral deficiency in someone else.” |
| Wikipedia |
| Everything you find annoying in others, that you judge and reject from yourself points to shadow issues. |
| What people are in your environment? What do you dislike or even hate about them? |
| But also: What fascinates you about them? |
| Who are people on social media that you dislike or judge? |
| Which celebrities or individuals do you admire and hold in high regard? And why? |
| Also, whenever we unconsciously repeat a behavior it is a clue for a shadow part that has taken control. Can you spot patterns in your life? Any pattern that repeats itself is your shadow calling out at you. |
| Here are more clues to help you recognize your shadow parts: |
| Lack of self-confidence and afraid to speak up |
| Blaming external circumstance |
| Weak boundaries |
| Fears around putting yourself and your creative work out into the world (fear of judgement, procrastination, self-sabotage…) |
| Not doing what you know you want and is good for you |
| Money and success issues (judging others who make a lot of $$ or are very outwardly successful) |
| Relationship issues and dramas (anxious or avoidant attachment styles) |
| Everything that scares you sinks deep into your shadow (sometimes it becomes a big inner monster). Which worries do you find yourself dealing with on a regular basis? |
| Perhaps you are jealous every time your partner mentions a coworker, even though there is no valid explanation for your feelings. |
| Maybe you judge a woman’s masculine appearance and don’t like women who wear short hair. This may be a sign that you reject the manly shadow side of yourself. |
| Maybe you have a friend who is sometimes late and it triggers you out of proportion. |
| Maybe you keep attracting unavailable partners or partners who cheat on you. |
| Maybe you feel frustrated in your relationships and you then turn passive-aggressive. |
| Maybe you feel stuck in areas of your life and no matter what you do, you don’t seem to make any progress. |
Hello there shadow…  |
| In essence, wherever you struggle in life a shadow hides. |
Anna Godfrey 