Skip to main content
TREAT YOURSELF—FREE SHIPPING ON ALL POOSH DOMESTIC ORDERS. SHOP NOW.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KOURTNEY
Poosh
By Kourtney Kardashian Barker
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
How Your Gut Health Affects Your Mind, Body, and Beauty
How Your Gut Health Affects Your Mind, Body, and Beauty
Can Your Relationship Be Your Biggest Tool for Manifestation?
Can Your Relationship Be Your Biggest Tool for Manifestation?
Life Hacks to Feel More Positive
Life Hacks to Feel More Positive
The Exercise Plan That Actually Gets Your Mood Swings
The Exercise Plan That Actually Gets Your Mood Swings
5 Must-Do Stretches After a Long Day of Travel
5 Must-Do Stretches After a Long Day of Travel
How To Hack Your Vagus Nerve To Shut Down Inflammation Like a Pro
How To Hack Your Vagus Nerve To Shut Down Inflammation Like a Pro
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
4 Summer Morning Hacks We Swear By
4 Summer Morning Hacks We Swear By
What Even Is a Hobby in 2025? The Poosh Team Weighs In
What Even Is a Hobby in 2025? The Poosh Team Weighs In
Poosh Guides: Our Summer Essentials Checklist
Poosh Guides: Our Summer Essentials Checklist
The Classic Shoes We’re Wearing With Everything This Summer
The Classic Shoes We’re Wearing With Everything This Summer
The Poosh-Approved Instacart Snack Haul
The Poosh-Approved Instacart Snack Haul
Could Bare Minimum Mondays Help With Burnout?
Could Bare Minimum Mondays Help With Burnout?
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Coconut Matcha Cloud Drink
Coconut Matcha Cloud Drink
Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad: A Fresh Take for the Fourth
Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad: A Fresh Take for the Fourth
The Lettuce-Free Salad We’ll Be Making All Summer Long
The Lettuce-Free Salad We’ll Be Making All Summer Long
Strawberry Mango Probiotic Popsicles
Strawberry Mango Probiotic Popsicles
Your New Go-To Summer Roll
Your New Go-To Summer Roll
Pamela Anderson’s Herby French Potato Salad
Pamela Anderson’s Herby French Potato Salad
  • family
  • kourtney
5 (More) Life Lessons From Kourtney
5 (More) Life Lessons From Kourtney
Part One: Life Lessons from Kourtney
Part One: Life Lessons from Kourtney
What Kris Jenner Is Reading Right Now
What Kris Jenner Is Reading Right Now
Kourtney’s Birthday Sale Is Here!
Kourtney’s Birthday Sale Is Here!
What Khloé Kardashian Is Reading Right Now
What Khloé Kardashian Is Reading Right Now
Inspired by Kim Kardashian: 3 Total-Body Gym Moves
Inspired by Kim Kardashian: 3 Total-Body Gym Moves

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KOURTNEY
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • About
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
soul

WHAT IS SHADOW WORK and How Do I Start It?

By Tamarin Oblowitz
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @shhtephs
@shhtephs

Shadow work involves exploring our dark side, the parts of ourselves that we would prefer not to see or be seen by others. They can hold our deepest wounds and may cause us to believe that we are flawed, unlovable, undeserving, or unworthy.

Our shadow contains qualities we would prefer to leave hidden, attributes of ourselves that we consciously or unconsciously reject.

Looking at parts of ourselves we prefer to keep locked away can be painful. Shadow work focuses on deep healing through fully owning and taking responsibility for our shadow instead of avoiding, repressing, or ignoring it.

Facing the parts of yourself that we don’t like can feel daunting and terrifying. It’s easier to externalize and look at others, rather than go within.

Shadow work is not for the faint of heart. It requires commitment, persistence, and resilience. It requires us to explore our perceived flaws without judgment.

Shadow work cracks us open, encourages complete self-acceptance, and helps us rebuild our sense of self.

During shadow work, past traumas can resurface and trigger intense and exhausting emotions. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid shadow work when feeling depressed or experiencing low levels of self-worth to prevent further spiraling.

A guide, coach, mentor, healer or therapist is recommended for assistance and support in the shadow work journey. Such a person will provide a space to process what’s uncovered along the way.

Self-care practices like journaling your thoughts and feelings can also help advance your shadow work by easing the intensity and lessening rumination. Other beneficial activities include nature walks, hikes, a dip in the ocean, listening to calming music, meditating, attending a yoga class, working out, or treating yourself to your favorite show.

Shadow work can seem intimidating to those who have never tried it, but it’s extremely useful for those who want inner transformation and deep healing. It can drastically increase self-awareness, helping us become kinder to ourselves and those around us.

Shop our journal collection:

Shop The Anti-Anxiety Notebook
Shop Therapy Journal
Shop Productivity Planner
Shop Productivity Planner
Shop The Five Minute Journal - Fit Edition
Shop The Five Minute Journal
Shop The Best Year Journal

Like this expert? Read more from our archives:
Non-Sexual Forms of Intimacy

Tamarin Oblowitz holds a master’s in Clinical Psychology and has trained at prestigious clinics in Beverly Hills, California. Through her travels, attending Balinese healing and yoga retreats, and life experiences, Tam has merged her psychotherapy experience and background with her spiritual guidance and intuitive and energetic healing capabilities. She now calls Sydney, Australia, home. Tam offers one-on-one sessions (in-person and virtual) that merge the traditional psychotherapy model with more holistic spiritual guidance and healing. Follow her on Instagram at @EmpowHERhealing. 

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

Related Articles

Goes to article 8 Simple Ways to Reduce and Combat Stress
mind

8 Simple Ways to Reduce and Combat Stress

Goes to article 8 Signs You May Benefit from Therapy
mind

8 Signs You May Benefit from Therapy

Goes to article Why You Should Take a Pottery Class ASAP
soul

Why You Should Take a Pottery Class ASAP

Goes to article 7 Ways to Get Out of a Bad Mood
mind

7 Ways to Get Out of a Bad Mood

Goes to article Why You Have Trouble Sleeping on Your Period
body

Why You Have Trouble Sleeping on Your Period

Goes to article The Science Behind Human Touch
mind

The Science Behind Human Touch

Goes to article 4 Things That Keep High Achievers From Going to Therapy
mind

4 Things That Keep High Achievers From Going to Therapy

Goes to article Must-Haves For A Relaxing Self-Care Night
mind

Must-Haves For A Relaxing Self-Care Night

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved