LILY ANDERSON / ASST. OPINION EDITOR

There are parts of yourself that you may not even realize exist. Parts that are dark, detrimental and even dangerous. This concept is your “shadow self,” the aspects of your identity that you repress, knowingly or unknowingly. As hard as it may be, choosing  to  face your shadow self is one of the most beneficial steps in personal development, because it leads you closer to discovering your true form. If you avoid doing  this, you may struggle  with  self-esteem, anxiety and a distorted sense of self, because your shadow will always find you and continue to remind you of the parts you ignore.

The concept of a shadow self was first clearly defined in 1945 by Carl Jung, who also founded analytical psychology. His focus primarily concerned personality, archetypes (another term Jung coined) and the unconscious mind. In Jung’s model, “the shadow” stands alongside “the ego” as part of our identity. While the ego is often in charge of mediating our interactions with the outside world and how we show up in it, the contents of our shadow still make themselves known through unconscious means, like our motivations and desires. 

Many people may be unaware that this version of oneself exists below the surface, without a more profound analysis. Though the shadow may appear strictly negative and worthy of repression, that is, separation from our identity, its potential for self-growth is a shining light. 

This growth can be further found  by  exploring  Jung’s “golden shadow” concept. Your golden shadow is the parts of yourself you don’t realize you have but lead to the most light. Similarly to how your shadow contains all the traits and thoughts you have suppressed because of a fear of evilness, your golden shadow also includes suppressed aspects. However, they are positive and creative elements that you never should have suppressed in the first place. Through finding your golden shadow, you can re-identify your positive traits, unlock creativity and explore  talents  you forgot you had. Connecting with your innate self and finding the gold within you is one of the many benefits of shifting through your shadow. 

College is already a time full of discovery and hard work. These years are an excellent opportunity to do honest reflection and find the pieces of yourself that were hiding. This may not be what you planned to spend your time working on, but it could be the best decision you could make for yourself. 

By breaking through your ego and entering your unconscious mind, you can access greater self-awareness, self-mastery and compassion. To begin this process, it is crucial to recognize the times that your shadow self is taking over. This can include situations where you are judging others, pointing out your insecurities in other people, power tripping, playing the victim, stepping on others to reach success or refusing to acknowledge your biases and prejudices. 

Often, when you feel hatred toward others, you hate the same attributes within yourself. By acknowledging the moments you partake in these actions, you can begin the real work: shadow work.

Shadow work falls under the umbrella of psychotherapy and is the primary way to reveal the part of the psyche that is being suppressed. The goal of shadow work is to combine the self with the shadow, so that it no longer represents shame and impulses and can be seen for its benefits instead. 

The main types of shadow work include dream analysis, journaling, psychoanalysis and sand tray therapy. Jung explains dream analysis is very important because of the symbols and themes presented for personal analysis. Applying Jung’s steps of analysis in your own life is a great way to reflect. Journaling is another way to tap into your unconsciousness and participate in self-exploration, especially by “free writing” and not starting out with expectations. 

While more abstract, sand tray therapy is a way for people to transfer their inner lives and thoughts into something physical, an image often called a “mandala.” These images are usually symmetrical and circular, or whole, representing the unified personality after integrating the shadow. Figurines can also be used to create a three-dimensional story. Psychoanalysis, a form of therapy, isn’t as accessible as the other types of shadow work, as it requires a professional. However, it can deepen the level of interpretation. 

Like many other personal growth skills, the idea of a shadow self was discovered by social media. In Sept. 2023, a book titled “The Shadow Work Journal” went viral on TikTok, though professionals have questioned its legitimacy. The journal above claimed to adhere to Jung’s methods, though it is difficult to say what Jung would think. It is common for methods like this to become part of pop psychology and inform people of incorrect information. 

As always, research any techniques you use to improve your mental health. For questions and concerns regarding safe forms of mental health support, please visit the counseling center’s website to make an appointment or speak to a professional. 

It may seem counterintuitive to spend  so much time working on the part of   yourself  that is seen as “bad.” Jung challenges people with this view to remember instead that the shadow self is part of human nature, not an evil entity. By accepting the darker parts of yourself instead of pushing them away, you are becoming a better person — not worse. By owning this part of yourself, you are strengthening your individuality, practicing self-control and tapping into unlocked creativity. You are also preventing the shadow from coming in the back door and causing chaos unconsciously.

I challenge you to face your shadow head-on instead of running from it; who knows what discoveries this may lead to and what gold you might find. Despite what you may think, the dark side isn’t always so bad.