My parts sound a lot like your parts. High achiever, over worker, overly concerned with how I’m perceived, etc. I think our inner critics would be friends (=
Just this last week I reached a powerful point in my parts work I thought I’d share here. I was able to fully tune in and unburden my inner critic for the first time by showing it love, and tuning in to “enoughness”. I saw the image of Te Ka in Moana transforming back to Te Fiti. It was like life was reentering my body. When unburdened my inner critic became a guide that I can tune into when making decisions. Instead of judging the other parts, it became a sort of orchestrator, checking in to ensure everyone is feeling aligned before moving forward. It was only temporary, as I found the critic showing up again just a few hours later. But it gave me a glimpse of what’s possible.
Appreciate you sharing your journey cissy. I hope you find enoughness.
ah, sounds familiar – I think they would enjoy each other's company :)
what a beautiful experience. the imagery of transforming Te Ka to Te Fiti sounds incredibly powerful. thanks for sharing your journey. so appreciate hearing from others walking parallel paths towards enoughness and wholeness – hoping you find all of that and more!
“It’s natural to feel disdain for the negative thoughts and uncomfortable sensations that arise in our body when we face these buried parts, but only by shining a light and putting a loving witness on our shadows can we begin to dissolve our inner conflict.”
Yes. Also, love how you highlight the importance of somatic work to integrate this - it’s so important to physically feel how connected we are.
Thank you for sharing your story. As someone who is half Asian I can relate to the striving to belong. Even though I know I need only to belong to me, I can still find myself in old patterns. Your essay was a great reminder to continue to show myself kindness and compassion.
This hit me precisely in between the eyes this morning. Thank you so much for articulating this, sharing your story, and digging deeper into your shadow self. Been thinking about this all day.
I am so new to shadow/inner work (I just stared therapy) so I found this really helpful! Will pick up the book No Bad Parts. Will also be following more of your recs. Thanks for sharing, Cissy!
big fan of No Bad Parts – constantly finding myself deepening my relationship to myself via parts work. excited to hear how your exploration with parts & inner work evolves, Becky :)
as have I! I've been returning to Viktor Frankl's quote, "between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response" whenever I feel an urge to do something misaligned with my truest desires. taking a breath, bringing awareness to my next action rather than instinctively reacting has made all the difference
I loved this piece, I just did a shamanic journey of bodywork and energy healing this morning - it was 2 hours long and so much came up but not in an overwhelming way. the facilitator had done a lot of shadow work to reach the point of holding me the way she did
that sounds amazing, Caryn – can imagine how powerful it is to be able to turn towards and hold a shadow in loving witness by a trusted other. really happy for you :)
My new go-to-share for anyone interested in shadow/inner work :)
appreciate ya :) excited for more people to stumble across shadow and parts work!
My parts sound a lot like your parts. High achiever, over worker, overly concerned with how I’m perceived, etc. I think our inner critics would be friends (=
Just this last week I reached a powerful point in my parts work I thought I’d share here. I was able to fully tune in and unburden my inner critic for the first time by showing it love, and tuning in to “enoughness”. I saw the image of Te Ka in Moana transforming back to Te Fiti. It was like life was reentering my body. When unburdened my inner critic became a guide that I can tune into when making decisions. Instead of judging the other parts, it became a sort of orchestrator, checking in to ensure everyone is feeling aligned before moving forward. It was only temporary, as I found the critic showing up again just a few hours later. But it gave me a glimpse of what’s possible.
Appreciate you sharing your journey cissy. I hope you find enoughness.
ah, sounds familiar – I think they would enjoy each other's company :)
what a beautiful experience. the imagery of transforming Te Ka to Te Fiti sounds incredibly powerful. thanks for sharing your journey. so appreciate hearing from others walking parallel paths towards enoughness and wholeness – hoping you find all of that and more!
“It’s natural to feel disdain for the negative thoughts and uncomfortable sensations that arise in our body when we face these buried parts, but only by shining a light and putting a loving witness on our shadows can we begin to dissolve our inner conflict.”
Yes. Also, love how you highlight the importance of somatic work to integrate this - it’s so important to physically feel how connected we are.
100% – the start and end of so many people's journeys is talk therapy. we forget how much wisdom lives in our bodies!
Thank you for sharing your story. As someone who is half Asian I can relate to the striving to belong. Even though I know I need only to belong to me, I can still find myself in old patterns. Your essay was a great reminder to continue to show myself kindness and compassion.
"Even though I know I need only to belong to me"
this. is. it. rooting for you as you continue to find your way back to yourself!
Rooting for you too!
This hit me precisely in between the eyes this morning. Thank you so much for articulating this, sharing your story, and digging deeper into your shadow self. Been thinking about this all day.
appreciate hearing how much this resonated, Alec – thanks for reading :)
Loving the campfire analogy!
🔥
I am so new to shadow/inner work (I just stared therapy) so I found this really helpful! Will pick up the book No Bad Parts. Will also be following more of your recs. Thanks for sharing, Cissy!
big fan of No Bad Parts – constantly finding myself deepening my relationship to myself via parts work. excited to hear how your exploration with parts & inner work evolves, Becky :)
Loved reading this, Cissy! Can resonate with a lot of it as I've been dealing with my 'sabotour'.
as have I! I've been returning to Viktor Frankl's quote, "between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response" whenever I feel an urge to do something misaligned with my truest desires. taking a breath, bringing awareness to my next action rather than instinctively reacting has made all the difference
<3 <3
thank you for helping me find clarity amidst all the (essay) parts – appreciate you 🫶🏼
I loved this piece, I just did a shamanic journey of bodywork and energy healing this morning - it was 2 hours long and so much came up but not in an overwhelming way. the facilitator had done a lot of shadow work to reach the point of holding me the way she did
that sounds amazing, Caryn – can imagine how powerful it is to be able to turn towards and hold a shadow in loving witness by a trusted other. really happy for you :)