Searching for your niche? I always did, too. Then one day I realized that the thing I always did that came as naturally to me as breathing, was what I was meant to do on a larger scale in the world. Helping and guiding people has always been easy for me. Don't ask me why~ I honestly couldn't tell you how or why I acquired this skill.
Aug 23, 2022·edited Aug 23, 2022Liked by Shari Schreiber MA
Thank you for writing this! I read your post on my Facebook feed this morning at work, but felt it more personal to comment on here.
The last 3 paragraphs especially resonated with me. Not having grown up with that invaluable mirroring, it dawned on me only two years ago that how I had spent time as a child (and by extension, who I was allowed to be/become when left in peace by my meddlesome parents) has actually been the truest indicator of who I am as a person. I was at a park when I had that revelation, and since then have been steadily working towards undoing and making some big changes in my life — mostly revolving around letting go of the way I relate (in a sense, relations) to people/things/situations that no longer serve me. It’s opened up so much space in my life.
And yes — the grind of work! Only recently, I (accidentally) fell back into the habit of drawing, this time designing for T-shirts. An ancient part of me has since then awoken. It felt like another lifetime where I was always engaging my creative side before I unknowingly shelved the habit. My days go by quicker now and work is more bearable now that I have this to look forward to. It really is about adding balance in these little personal ways that can make our lives feel like ours again.
Thank you very much for this article! Your posts always continue to validate me in some small way.
PS - I don't know if integrating these old/forgotten pieces and versions of ourselves is what they call shadow work. Would love to hear your opinion of it.
I'm ecstatic to hear of your expansion, dear. No, "shadow work" to me, means learning to accept and embrace the darker aspects of our personality and nature. The parts we were programmed to believe were bad or evil, as young children (our anger, envy, jealousy, etc.). There's no such thing, as a wrong emotion. If you're feeling it, it's because you're supposed to be! :~) Never question whether you have a 'right' to be feeling a certain way. The mind is antithetical to healing, growth and self-actualization.
Thank you for writing this! I read your post on my Facebook feed this morning at work, but felt it more personal to comment on here.
The last 3 paragraphs especially resonated with me. Not having grown up with that invaluable mirroring, it dawned on me only two years ago that how I had spent time as a child (and by extension, who I was allowed to be/become when left in peace by my meddlesome parents) has actually been the truest indicator of who I am as a person. I was at a park when I had that revelation, and since then have been steadily working towards undoing and making some big changes in my life — mostly revolving around letting go of the way I relate (in a sense, relations) to people/things/situations that no longer serve me. It’s opened up so much space in my life.
And yes — the grind of work! Only recently, I (accidentally) fell back into the habit of drawing, this time designing for T-shirts. An ancient part of me has since then awoken. It felt like another lifetime where I was always engaging my creative side before I unknowingly shelved the habit. My days go by quicker now and work is more bearable now that I have this to look forward to. It really is about adding balance in these little personal ways that can make our lives feel like ours again.
Thank you very much for this article! Your posts always continue to validate me in some small way.
PS - I don't know if integrating these old/forgotten pieces and versions of ourselves is what they call shadow work. Would love to hear your opinion of it.
I'm ecstatic to hear of your expansion, dear. No, "shadow work" to me, means learning to accept and embrace the darker aspects of our personality and nature. The parts we were programmed to believe were bad or evil, as young children (our anger, envy, jealousy, etc.). There's no such thing, as a wrong emotion. If you're feeling it, it's because you're supposed to be! :~) Never question whether you have a 'right' to be feeling a certain way. The mind is antithetical to healing, growth and self-actualization.
Thank you Shari :)
You're welcome, Joe! :~)