In a sense, shadow work serves as a confessional. In exchange for your innocence, you will be delivered catharsis, self-authenticity, and more compassion for others.
Immediate Ego Protection: Projecting undesirable traits onto others provides immediate relief from anxiety, guilt, or shame that might arise from acknowledging those traits in oneself. This ego protection can offer a temporary sense of psychological comfort and stability.
Distorted Social Perception: Projection can lead to
Pay attention to recurring patterns in your judgments of others:
Do you frequently accuse others of possessing specific negative traits or exhibiting behaviors that you find unacceptable in yourself?
For example, if you consistently suspect others of being dishonest, particularly in situations where you might be tempted to act dishonestly yourself,... See more