Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist who believed that the human mind has two

layers - the conscious, which is everything we’re aware of, and the unconscious,

which holds the thoughts, emotions, and memories we’ve pushed out of awareness.

And deep within that unconscious lies what Jung called the shadow - the hidden side of ourselves.

We suppress these parts because, at some point, we learned they weren’t acceptable.

Maybe we were told to stay quiet, to be “good,” or to hide our emotions - so we

buried whatever didn’t seem to fit. But Jung believed that if we truly

want to understand who we are, we have to stop running from those

hidden parts and start listening to them. Because here’s the thing - your shadow

isn’t just the darkness you try to hide. It also carries your unlived potential:

your creativity, your voice, your courage, your power - and often, the clues to your real calling.

Jung’s philosophy is often referred to as “Jungian Philosophy”. He has also published multiple books

like The Psychology of the Unconscious, Man and His Symbols, The Archetypes and The Collective

Unconscious, Modern Man In Search of a Soul, The Psychology of the Transference, Memories,

Dreams, and Thoughts, and The Relations Between the Ego and the Unconscious. In this video,

we’re going to explore 7 shadow clues that reveal your true calling.

1. Feeling Stuck, Numb, or Disconnected Jungs says “There is no coming to consciousness

without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, to avoid facing their own soul.”

Sometimes life moves forward, but the heart stays still. Everything looks fine on the surface - the

job, the routine, the conversations - yet something feels flat. It’s not laziness

or lack of drive; it’s a quiet signal that something deeper inside isn’t being lived.

Jung believed that this emptiness appears when there’s a gap between who we are and how we’re

living. When daily life no longer reflects our truth, the psyche starts to pull back its energy.

What feels like resistance or fatigue is often the inner self saying, “This no longer fits.”

The shadow - the part of us that holds what we’ve hidden or denied - begins to stir at these times.

As mentioned, it doesn’t only carry our fears or pain; it also holds the best parts of us

we’ve left behind. The confidence, creativity, curiosity, and joy that once came naturally can

end up buried right beside our insecurities. This happens quietly as we grow. As children,

we express ourselves freely — we laugh loudly, ask questions, create, and dream without thinking

twice. Then, we start to learn which parts of us are welcomed and which ones are not.

The curious child is told to stop asking so many questions.

The expressive one is told not to make a scene. The sensitive one is told to toughen up.

To stay safe and accepted, we begin to hide those natural qualities. The outspoken one becomes

careful. The dreamer becomes practical. The gentle one becomes guarded. Bit by bit, our light is

tucked away — not because it’s wrong, but because at some point, it didn’t feel safe to show.

But what’s buried doesn’t disappear. Those parts wait quietly beneath the surface,

calling out through the very feelings we try to avoid - boredom, restlessness,

or the nagging sense that something’s missing even when life looks “fine.”

Sometimes it shows up as an ache for something more. Maybe it’s the pull toward an old hobby,

a thought that keeps returning, or a dream that never quite fades. These are not distractions;

they’re messages from the shadow, reminding us of what still wants to live through us.

For instance, someone who once loved storytelling might have given it up because

it didn’t seem practical. Years later, they find themselves deeply moved by a book or film,

feeling both inspired and a little sad. That feeling isn’t emptiness - it’s their

own creative spirit asking to be remembered. Another person may have learned to stay quiet to

keep the peace, only to feel invisible later on. The discomfort that rises when others speak boldly

isn’t resentment - it’s a reminder that their own voice is still there, waiting to be used.

These signs are gentle invitations to reconnect. It starts with small steps. Write a few lines.

Sing again. Share one honest thought. Take one small action that feels true. Each act

gives the hidden parts more space to breathe. When we begin to reclaim those parts, life starts

to move again. The dullness lifts, energy returns, and things begin to feel real. Jung called this

process individuation - becoming whole by bringing every part of ourselves into the light. The gifts

we hide in the shadow aren’t lost; they’ve simply been waiting for us to notice them.

2. Strong Reaction to Someone Else’s Behaviour

According to Jung, “Everything that irritates us about others

can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

Think about the last time someone really bothered you. Maybe it was a coworker who

kept talking about their success, a friend who seemed effortlessly confident, or someone

online whose achievements made you feel uneasy. That flash of irritation, envy, or discomfort

isn’t random - it’s your shadow speaking. When someone’s behaviour triggers a strong

emotion, it’s often not about them. It’s a mirror reflecting something within you

that you haven’t fully accepted. Jung called this projection - when we unconsciously see in others

the very traits we’ve disowned in ourselves. These mirrors are everywhere - in our workplaces,

relationships, and social media feeds. You might see someone speaking boldly and think,

“They’re so arrogant,” when deep down you wish you had that same courage. Or someone taking

risks and you think, “That’s reckless,” while part of you longs for more freedom.

And projection isn’t always about what irritates us - it can also show

up as deep admiration. When you’re inspired by someone’s creativity, kindness, or confidence,

you might be seeing a glimpse of your own shadow. The people who trigger us, whether through envy

or admiration, often reveal the qualities we need to develop to become more whole.

These reactions are invitations to grow. So the next time someone stirs

a strong feeling in you, pause before reacting.

Ask yourself: What is this emotion showing me about myself? Could the very trait I’m

judging - or admiring - be something I need to embrace to move closer to my real calling?

Your irritation or admiration isn’t the problem; it’s a message. Follow it,

and it may lead you straight to the part of yourself that’s been waiting to come alive.

3. Repeating Patterns or Failures Jung writes “Until you make the

unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

Have you ever noticed how the same kinds of situations keep showing up in your life?

You change jobs, but end up feeling undervalued again. You meet new people,

but somehow the same relationship issues repeat. Or maybe you set new goals,

only to lose motivation halfway through - just like before.

When these things happen over and over, it’s easy to feel unlucky, or to think life is just unfair.

But Jung believed that repeating patterns are not random. The patterns that keep repeating are your

shadow at work trying to get your attention. When certain fears, needs, or truths about

ourselves are ignored, they don’t disappear - they simply show up again through the people and events

in our lives. It’s like life keeps giving the same test until the lesson is finally learned.

If someone keeps ending up in jobs where they feel unseen, it might be life’s way

of asking them to look at why they doubt their own worth. If relationships often feel one-sided,

maybe there’s a part of them that still struggles to value themselves. The idea

that these patterns don’t mean anything is wrong; they’re gentle reminders that

something important inside wants to be noticed. Imagine a person who changes jobs again and again,

hoping the next one will finally bring appreciation. But every time, the same

thing happens - feeling ignored or unimportant. One day, instead of blaming the workplace,

they pause and ask, “Why does this keep happening?” Then they notice the pattern:

they often stay quiet, avoid speaking up, and hold back ideas out of fear of being judged.

With that simple moment of awareness, they begin to act differently - saying one idea out loud,

asking for what they need, showing up more fully. It feels uncomfortable at first, but over time,

they start to feel more confident and less dependent on others for validation. The outer

world begins to reflect the inner change. So instead of asking, “Why does this always

happen to me?” it helps to ask, “What is this trying to show me?” Jung believed that that's

how patterns break. Once the lesson is understood, life doesn’t need to repeat

it. New experiences begin to appear. Different kinds of people come in. Work and relationships

start to feel lighter and more meaningful. This is how life stops repeating and starts evolving.

4. Messages from the Dreams In the words of Jung “The dream

is the small hidden door in the deepest and most intimate sanctum of the soul.”

Jung believed that our dreams are messages from the unconscious - quiet,

symbolic ways our deeper self tries to reach us when our waking mind is too busy to listen.

During the day, we’re caught up in logic, plans, and responsibilities. But at night,

when the conscious mind relaxes, the parts of us we’ve ignored finally get a chance to speak.

Dreams often feel strange or emotional because they speak in symbols, not in literal events.

It’s your psyche speaking in its own language showing us what we haven’t been paying attention

to. When life feels out of balance - when there’s a sense of being stuck, restless,

or disconnected - the unconscious often shows that through images in dreams. You may dream of

being trapped in a small room, lost in a maze, or missing a train. Such dreams usually mirror

inner feelings of limitation, confusion, or fear of missing an important opportunity.

Sometimes dreams reveal what we’ve pushed down. You might dream about someone you’re angry with

but can’t confront in real life. Or about a version of yourself that feels more confident,

creative, or free - the kind of person you secretly wish you could be. Jung believed

those versions of you in dreams aren’t just fantasies - they’re real parts of your psyche,

waiting to be integrated into your waking life. Consider a simple example. Someone might be

working hard at a job that covers the bills but no longer feels fulfilling. Night after night, a

dream appears 0 their dreams follow the same theme - standing on a stage, ready to speak or perform,

but no sound comes out. Looked at closely, this dream could be showing that this person has

silenced their own voice in waking life. A part of them may want to express something meaningful,

yet fear or practicality has convinced them it isn’t possible. The dream isn’t predicting what

will happen; it’s revealing what is already true. A dream about speaking could suggest a calling

toward communication or leadership. Dreams of painting, flying, or exploring might

reflect a creative or adventurous side waiting to be lived. But dreams don’t

have to be analyzed in complicated ways. You can start simply. When you wake up,

take a moment to notice how the dream felt and note any details that stand out - an image,

a color, a word, a symbol. Over time, patterns start to appear, often reflecting the same hopes,

struggles, and questions found in everyday life. Jung saw dreams as a conversation between the

conscious mind and the deeper self. The more attention they receive, the clearer

that dialogue becomes, and the guidance that once felt mysterious starts to feel personal and real.

5. Stories, Movies, or Characters You’re Drawn To To quote Jung “Archetypes are the living system

of reactions and aptitudes that determine the individual’s life in invisible ways.”

Jung believed that deep inside everyone are patterns that shape who we are — he called them

archetypes. These are universal roles that exist in all people, no matter where or when they live.

The archetypes like the Creator, the Healer, the Teacher, the Explorer,

the Rebel, the Caregiver, the Warrior — each one represents a different expression of human

potential. Some of these come naturally to us, while others stay quiet in the background.

According to Jung, a person’s true calling often shows through the archetypes trying to

come alive within — especially the ones that have been ignored or pushed aside.

Those hidden archetypes live in the shadow. Think of someone who has spent most of life

being responsible and practical — always focused on stability. That’s the Ruler or

Caregiver archetype at work. But deep down, there may also be a longing for creativity,

freedom, or adventure. That could be the Creator or Explorer waiting for space to

express itself. When that side stays buried, life can begin to feel dull or repetitive, even if

everything looks fine on the surface. Once it’s allowed to express itself, even in small ways,

life starts to feel more meaningful and alive. You can start recognizing your archetypes

by simply paying attention to your natural patterns and preferences. Notice what kinds

of stories, movies, or people inspire you - they often mirror an archetype within you. If you’re

drawn to tales of courage and adventure, your Explorer may be calling. If you admire people

who create or build, your Creator might be asking for attention. You can also look at

your recurring challenges. If you often care for others but struggle to set boundaries,

your Caregiver is strong, but your Warrior might need space to grow. Even your daydreams

and fantasies can reveal which energies are most alive - the roles you imagine yourself in often

point to what’s waiting to be expressed. To explore this, start by noticing which

archetypes feel natural and which ones you tend to avoid. Think about the stories, people,

or symbols that inspire you — and what they bring up inside you. You may realize that the

purpose or direction you’ve been looking for isn’t out in the world, but within yourself.

It’s been there all along, waiting for you to notice the patterns guiding you.

6. When Life Mirrors Your Inner World

Jung teaches us that… “Synchronicity is an ever-present reality for

those who have eyes to see.” Jung used the word synchronicity

to describe those moments in life that feel too perfectly timed to be random.

It’s when something in the outside world connects directly with what’s happening

inside you — a thought, a feeling, or a decision you’ve been quietly holding.

You think about someone you haven’t spoken to in years, and they suddenly reach out.

You start considering a new direction in life, and out of nowhere, you come across a book, video,

or conversation about that exact thing. It feels like life is reflecting

something back to you. But Jung didn’t see these

moments as mere coincidences. He believed they were signs that your inner and outer worlds were

starting to align. This isn’t about fate, or ‘destiny’ - this isn’t some mysterious outside

force - Instead, as a human being, hard-wired to see patterns EVERYWHERE, when you become

more aware of what’s happening inside — your thoughts, emotions, and desires - you begin

to notice how the world responds to that awareness in small but meaningful ways.

Here’s an example. Imagine you’ve been quietly unhappy in your job, but you keep avoiding the

thought of change because it feels too uncertain. One day, you overhear a conversation about someone

who left their job to start something new. Later that week, you meet someone doing the

kind of work you’ve always been interested in. You could call it coincidence - but Jung would

say it’s your unconscious communicating through outer events, showing you what

you’ve been too afraid to face directly. Synchronicities often appear when you’re

at a turning point - when you’re beginning to look at yourself more honestly or are

ready to take a step toward something new. They’re not random signs to follow blindly,

but quiet reminders that we’re paying attention. When something like this happens, instead of

brushing it off, just pause, and ask yourself: What was I thinking or feeling just before this

happened? Why does this moment stand out to me? You might not get an answer right away,

but noticing the connection is enough. Synchronicity reminds us that we’re not

separate from life - we’re part of a constant conversation with it. And when those meaningful

moments start to appear, it often means we’re beginning to move closer to our true path.

7. Self-Sabotage and Avoidance In our final quote from Jung for this video,

he simply says “What you resist, persists.” Jung believed that the closer we get to who

we truly are, the stronger our inner resistance becomes. It’s one of the

paradoxes of growth - the moment you start moving toward your calling, the shadow often pushes back.

You might notice this as procrastination, distraction, or self-doubt that appears right when

you’re about to do something meaningful. Maybe you finally decide to start writing, but suddenly,

everything feels more urgent - the dishes, your emails, your phone. Or you get an opportunity

that excites you, and instead of saying yes, you start overthinking, second-guessing,

or convincing yourself you’re not ready yet. Jung saw this self-sabotage not as weakness,

but as a form of inner protection - a way the psyche tries to keep you safe from change.

The shadow carries all the parts of you that fear rejection, failure, or being seen. So

when you start doing something that brings you closer to your potential, those buried

fears come alive. Your mind finds subtle ways to pull you back - not because it wants you to fail,

but because it believes it’s keeping you safe. But here’s the truth: safety and growth can’t

exist in the same space. To step into your real calling, you have to walk through that

discomfort, and show the shadow that it’s okay to outgrow your old limits.

Imagine you’ve been wanting to share your art or start a small business.

You gather your ideas, feel excited for a while - then the doubts start. What if no one cares?

What if I’m not good enough? What if I fail? And so, you pause. You wait for a “better

time.” Weeks or months pass. That spark dulls. But that hesitation isn’t proof that you’re on

the wrong path - it’s a sign that you’re getting close to something important. The shadow resists

most when you’re near the threshold of change. So when you notice yourself avoiding the very thing

you say you want, pause and ask, “What am I really afraid will happen if I follow through?” Maybe

it’s the fear of being judged, of losing approval, or of realising that you’re entirely capable of

achieving what you want, but now you actually have to put the time and effort into doing it.

You took away your own excuse to not even try. Once you name that fear, you shine a light on it,

and once seen clearly, it begins to lose control. The act of noticing without judging brings light

into the shadow. The goal isn’t to fight the shadow, but to work with it. Over time,

by continuing to show up, even imperfectly, the resistance softens. So when hesitation

appears before something that matters, it’s not a sign of failure - it’s a doorway. The

part that feels afraid is often the same part that’s been waiting to be free.

If you enjoyed this video, please make sure to check out our full philosophies

for life playlist and for more videos to help you find success and happiness using

beautiful philosophical wisdom, don’t forget to subscribe. Thanks so much for watching.