Shadow Work or Emotional Buffet?

People like to say, “I’m doing shadow work!” Only our shadows keep hanging around like they have an All-Access VIP Pass to our Trigger Lounge.

But a lot of people don't realize they are subconsciously addicted to being angry and upset. That those negative emotions give them a sense of purpose.

And here's the thing, it’s easier for us to call it a “block” than admit it’s a buffet. And we're going back for thirds.

We spiritualize it. Light a candle and name it “processing.”

Keep chasing the same emotional high like dropping molly at a rave.

But some wounds don’t want to be healed. They want to be worshipped.

They want us to build an identity around them with a passport, driver’s license and an 800 credit score for never missing a chance to share our how the universe did us wrong story. 

Here’s the twist:
Your power isn’t in the feeling that won’t go away.
It’s in what you’re willing to walk away from…
even when it still gives you something. 

Shadow work isn’t about feeling it all forever. It’s just about finally putting the plate down.

Now.. How do we shift that? Start here:

Stop turning emotions into social media content.

Maybe the wound wants to throw a temper tantrum in the candy aisle. Fine. Ignore it. 

Choose stillness over stimulation. Yes, the wound may be loud, but healing always isn’t.

Make peace privately. Stop monologuing like it's an auditioning for a streaming-era adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play called, A Streetcar Named My Drama.
The nervous system deserves to rest without an audience. 

And finally start taking action that contradicts the emotion. Not to fake it, but to rewire the pattern. Our wounds will learn that we’re choosing to leave the grocery store without caving to its demands.

The angry identity isn’t who any of us are. What we are… is just full.

And we deserve to feel the positive effects of feasting on something other than our own pain.