Feeling Triggered? It May Be Time to Explore Your Shadow Side

what is your shadow side

There is an old poem that goes something like..

There once was a little girl

Who had a little curl

Right in the middle of her forehead

And when she was good, she was very good

And when she was bad, she was simply horrid.

I've never had curls. In my youth, my brown hair was wavy, like a wild woman who simply would not be tamed. If images are illustrations of life, this one could have been a projection of my soul onto my physical appearance. Always a little wild.

I like to joke that as I go gray with age and dye it blonde, it looks more and more like dried hay or a not quite haggard witch... and then laugh.

The importance of the poem lies in understanding the subconscious or hidden aspect of self. And, in my opinion, the best thing you can ever do for yourself is understand why you may be feeling triggered and the impacts of your shadow self.

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Have you ever wondered why certain situations or people bring out reactions in you that seem out of proportion or hard to explain?

In the world of psychology, there’s a concept that might hold some answers: the shadow.

First introduced by Carl Jung, the shadow side of our personality represents the hidden or unconscious parts of ourselves—traits, emotions, or desires we’ve learned to suppress because they don’t align with how we want to see ourselves or how we want others to see us. This leads us to feeling triggered in certain situations.

While this might sound unsettling, acknowledging and exploring the shadow side of ourselves can be a powerful tool for personal growth.

By understanding our subconscious triggers, we can gain insight into our behaviors, build healthier relationships, and move toward a greater sense of self-awareness. In this post, we’ll explore what the shadow is and why confronting it can play such an important role in unlocking your fullest potential.

The shadow is a fascinating concept that comes from the idea that we all have parts of ourselves we might not fully see or understand.

These are traits, feelings, or behaviors we may have learned to push aside or ignore, often because they don’t fit with how we want to see ourselves or how we think others expect us to be. But the shadow isn’t something to fear—it’s simply a natural part of being human, and understanding it can help us grow and feel more complete.

Acknowledging these hidden aspects allows us to feel more whole, grounded, and genuine in how we show up in the world. It helps us build a stronger sense of self, free from the need to hide or pretend, and encourages us to connect with others in more honest and meaningful ways.