The inner architecture of the unconscious image by Jenny McClymont
Inside each of us is a place where things we’ve forgotten live. Not lost, set aside. These are the experiences, emotions, and feelings that used to feel too weighty, too messy, and too misunderstood to share. We have learnt how to hide them well over time. They sit silently in the dark, influencing us from behind the scenes.
This shadow isn’t merely a place to hide fear or shame. It also contains parts of our brilliance, such as creativity, instinct, vulnerability, and desire. The sections we thought were too much or not enough. These are the sections adjusted to fit what was acceptable. “Sometimes, these hidden parts of ourselves were tucked away so early that we aren’t even aware they’re missing. But we can feel the holes, whether it’s through detachment, reluctance, or the deep aching of something we can’t identify.
As children, we learnt quickly what to display and what to hide. We slowly came up with a notion of who we were “supposed” to be by getting a gold star here and a harsh phrase there. But being alive has its costs. And if we only do what is appropriate, we merely live half lives.
Depression, withdrawal, and perfectionism may not be adversaries; instead, they may be there to help you. Old ways that used to keep us safe. When we approach them with inquiry instead of criticism, we start to see that they were trying to help. Now we can pick something different.
To get back our complete selves, we don’t need to shout from the rooftops; we need to open the door calmly. A page of writing, a painted smudge, or a whispered truth, these honest things bring the hidden ones back home. “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious,” remarked Jung.
Your shadow isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s your story, long hidden, now asking to be told with compassion and honesty.