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Anatomy of a Shadow: Bringing Deep Emotional Patterns to the Surface
A road map of places you’ll likely visit on the road to emotional clarity.
First of All, Why Do It?
Most people spend their lives steering around difficult emotions. Some make it clear to the grave without confronting deep, unconscious wounds that have plagued them their whole lives. But is that a victory?
Daniel Schmachtenberger and Jordan Peterson are two people who have done a decent job deconstructing the mess we’re in as a civilization. They concur, along with countless others, that the cliche “let peace begin with me” is true. Stopping the wars raging inside our own minds, however difficult, is one thing within our control that truly matters.
The stages of reconciling troublesome emotional patterns can take years, weeks, or days. Sometimes a profound shift can occur in an instant. However long it takes, recognizing typical stages on the road to healing can help lessen the struggle and point to what lies ahead.
Stage One: It’s not my fault. And I’m Stuck.
Most people start out here. Problems are external. And it’s partly true. In fact, there is likely something “out there” that is upsetting you right now. And this something might be sleeping in the next room.
