Each week, I choose one word that captures something I’ve been learning, feeling, or simply noticing in my everyday life as a mom.
These One Word (less) Wednesday reflections are my way of slowing down- of giving thoughts room to breathe.
One Word: SHADOW
The Webster’s definition is:
“a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.”
That definition feels fitting for this season- when days grow shorter, light fades earlier, and everything seems to stretch a little quieter, a little deeper.
But shadows aren’t just about darkness; they’re about contrast. Without them, light has nothing to dance against.
As moms, we live with shadows more often than we admit.
The moments of doubt, exhaustion, or fear that trail behind us when we’re trying so hard to be everything for everyone.
The parts of ourselves we tuck away because they don’t feel as shiny or shareable.
But those shadows aren’t failures; they’re proof of depth.
Every strong light casts a shadow.
It means we’re standing in the light, even when parts of us still ache or struggle.
The beauty of motherhood isn’t in pretending the shadows don’t exist; it’s in learning to move with them.
To let the hard moments shape us without swallowing the joy.
Sometimes, the shadowy seasons are where we find the strength we didn’t know we had.
They teach us softness, patience, humility- and when we step back into the light, we carry all that wisdom with us.
So, this week, I’m choosing to honor my shadows.
To stop fearing the dark corners of my story and start seeing them as part of the whole picture.
Because without the shadow, we’d never see just how brightly the light shines.
Shadows remind us that we don’t have to shine all the time to be worthy, loved, or whole.
They’re part of our story- proof that we’ve walked through seasons that stretched us, softened us, and shaped us into who we are now.
As moms, we carry both the light and the shadow, and there’s beauty in that balance.
If this reflection on Shadow spoke to you, take a few quiet minutes this week to notice your own- where they fall, what they’ve taught you, and how they’ve helped you grow.
Then, share your thoughts in the comments or journal them privately as your own Unscripted Writing Prompt.
Your story, just like your shadow, deserves to be seen.
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In motherhood, in my opinion, shadow represents the unseen or quieter parts of our lives—the doubts, exhaustion, the pieces we don’t always share. But it also symbolizes growth. Shadows exist because there’s light nearby. They remind us that even our hardest moments hold meaning and that we can find peace in the contrast.
Embracing your shadow starts with self-compassion. Instead of hiding the messy moments, allow yourself to acknowledge them without judgment. Reflect on what those seasons taught you. You can journal, pray, or simply pause to breathe and remember that strength often grows in the dark before it blooms in the light.
The Halloween season naturally plays with light and dark- cozy candlelight, long evenings, and shifting moods. Choosing Shadow this week connects that external change to an internal one. It’s a reminder that even in the darker parts of our year (or our hearts), there’s still warmth, growth, and beauty.
After reading, take a few minutes to reflect on your own shadows. Write freely—no structure, no rules. Ask yourself: What part of me hides in the shadows? What am I learning there? You can share your reflection in the comments or simply let it be a quiet conversation between you and the page.
Well done on shadow. Beautiful photography too.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. ♥