We learn which parts of ourselves are accepted and which aren't.

For women, being agreeable, helpful, easy and accommodating can be rewarded from an early age.

Saying yes. Keeping the peace. Not being difficult.

And we learn to push other parts down.

Anger. Disagreement. Need. Saying no. Wanting something for ourselves.

Sometimes because we want to belong. So we learn which parts of ourselves are more acceptable to others.

We adapt.

We get good at ignoring the parts of ourselves that don't fit.

But they don't disappear.

They stay with us, showing up in ways we don't always recognise. In our relationships. In our reactions. In the choices we make. In the things we keep repeating. And in our bodies.

Jung’s concept of the shadow refers to the parts of ourselves that we don't fully acknowledge or accept - those parts we learned to push down.

The shadow keeps the pieces of us that have been hidden, and getting to know them is part of getting to know ourselves.

What have you learned to hide?

And what might those parts have to tell you?