My Legal First And Middle Name Are Both On This List And THAT Is Why I Am CHANGING THEM

What I've Done Instead of Shadow Work

This is going to be the last thing I say on the topic of shadow work, because, honestly I'm getting bored of the subject and would rather go back to talking about spirit work, or spells, or any of the many other subjects that I care a thousand times more about. Some folks seem to be hearing “I refuse to do any introspection” when I say "I have never and will never do shadow work". I have done lots of introspection, I've done therapy that follows evidence based practices, I just see no reason do try and guide myself through a method of therapy with little to no scientific evidence. But in case anyone's curious, or wants some tips, here's what I've done instead! Mindfulness exercises: I love mindfulness exercises that train you to think about your thoughts, but not judge them. Consistent mindfulness practice has really helped me become more aware of my internal thought processes, what I get hung up on, what I struggle with, what emotions I’m feeling and what caused them.

The Artist Way & Embrace Your Weird: These are both self help books for creative folks with a heavy emphasis on journaling and self expression. I found both of these helpful in different ways when I felt like I was struggling with creative burnout or felt like I was stuck in the daily grind of my day job.

Journaling: I keep multiple journals! One is a commonplace book that I fill up with on the spot thoughts, quotes, song lyrics, etc. just stuff I want to remember. The other I write in every morning when I first wake up, a continuation of the morning pages from the Artist’s Way, to just unpack and process whatever going on in my head.

Therapy: Actual real therapy with a licensed professional. I specifically see a pain psychologist because most of what we focus on is the impact my chronic pain has on my and developing healthy coping mechanisms for that.

I think what gets a bee in my bonnet the most about the few negative reactions I’ve gotten on this topic is that these folks seem most concerned about the trauma and “inner demons” aspects of shadow work. There’s always something about how dangerous or unhealthy it is for me or even those around me for me to have not delt with my trauma via shadow work. I don’t like that they presume to know my life and mental health history without having ever spoken to me. And I really don’t like the insistance that everyone has the same kind of trauma that needs to be healed in the same way.

Tumblr Code.

Doomscrolling Save Point

hey relax for a second and watch the cat

happy new moon! doodled a sigil blessing.

Do I now associate Ramen Noodles with Beltane? Yes. Yes I do.

I will not elaborate on that.

mr steal your girl or whatevr

Messaging people for the first time is so hard. What am I supposed to say? Like, "You seem really odd and your blog intrigues me. Do you want to have philosophical conversations or perhaps talk about fictional characters?" What! Whatever. I will just follow you back and stare at your blog with my big beautiful brown eyes.

I FUCKING KNEW IT BUT I FORGOT WHAT HE LOOKED LIKE IN THE PIC WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS

whoever said healing was a never-ending process can take a seat for a second, because i have something to say.

no, healing doesn't stop. but it's not linear either. take breaks from your healing.

you can't work out at the gym 24/7, you'd pass out and eventually die on the gym floor. you have to stop for food, water, bathroom breaks, and sleep bare minimum, not to mention that exercising outside of every bodily function WOULD kill you. you have to have days you don't go to the gym. why would deconstructing be any different?

if you are unpacking trauma and healing old bad habits, you have to have days where maybe you don't make considerable progress, but you take some time to feel good about the progress you've made already. maybe you sit outside for a bit and think about how you would have dealt with current situations as the old you vs how you handle them now. what has changed, about your surroundings and you?

recognizing your progress is just as an important part of growth as the growth itself is, and if you don't take some time to rest and heal from the healing, you will have no strength left to tackle those dark parts of you.

rest. take a breath. revel in your success so far, and get back up the next day. it's okay to pause and catch your balance before you stumble.

It's okay to take a break from deconstructing growing up in a cult and being terrified with the teachings of Christian fundamentalism and evangelicalism right?

I just need some reassurance because I feel like a failure because I'm so emotionally overwhelmed between this and my job.