What inspired the story behind your latest book?
The inspiration for So, I Married My Shadow: Poetry & Reflections was born from the raw, unvarnished truth of my journey through the ups and downs of marriage. In navigating the challenges of loneliness and anxiety, I often found myself trapped in patterns of people-pleasing, sacrificing my own needs and identity for the sake of harmony. My marriage felt like an endless cycle of misunderstandings, emotional distance, and unmet expectations. Yet, within that struggle, I also discovered the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for transformation when faced with our shadows. Writing this book became a way to process pain and chart a path toward healing.
How does your personal experience influence the themes in your writing?
Through deep self-reflection and the courage to confront my inner wounds, I began to understand how past traumas and fears shape behaviours and reactions. The process of writing felt like peeling back layers, exposing truths I had long buried. I explore the depths of the psyche and draw wisdom from its teachings about the soul’s journey through darkness toward divine light. Through this lens, I found profound parallels between my personal struggles and the cosmic processes of transformation—a reminder that even in the darkest of times, change is not only possible but inevitable.
Can you walk us through your writing process for this book? Did it differ from your previous work?
My writing process for So, I Married My Shadow was deeply tied to my emotional ebb and flow. Every time I felt low, I turned to poetry as a way to process the pain and uncover the truths hidden within my struggles. Each poem was a reflection of my state of mind, a mirror to my soul as I navigated the highs and lows of healing. Over time, as I began to learn, grow, and confront my shadow self, my writing shifted. What once centred around pain evolved into expressions of awareness, acceptance, and grace. With every verse, I was not just pouring out my struggles but actively transforming them, uncovering my truest self, and making the changes I needed to become the best version of me. Ultimately, this journey was an evolutionary one, moving from a place of deep pain to a state of becoming—an ever-unfolding process of self-discovery and renewal.
How do you balance your work as both an author and an artist? Does one influence the other?
Each creative endeavour feels like an extension of my healing journey, but the demands of nurturing both disciplines often pull me in opposing directions.
Recently, I’ve been experimenting and exploring new dimensions of self-expression by performing my poetry and integrating it into my artwork. This interplay has allowed me to merge the themes I write about into a dramatisation and unified voice that extend beyond the pages of my books.
Which theme in your book are you most connected to, and why?
I feel most connected to the theme of healing our shadows because it mirrors my own journey of confronting the parts of myself I once feared or denied. Shadow work is about embracing the whole self—acknowledging the wounds, fears, and flaws that linger beneath the surface—and finding the courage to transform them into sources of strength and wisdom. For me, healing the shadow is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a deeply emotional and spiritual process that requires vulnerability, self-compassion, and honesty. It’s through this work that I’ve come to understand that true healing isn’t about erasing pain but integrating it, allowing it to teach us and guide us toward wholeness.
What kind of impact do you hope this book will have on your readers?
So, I Married My Shadow is aimed at those struggling in their marriages, but its message extends far beyond marital relationships. The primary focus is on healing and accepting oneself, recognising that true transformation begins within. While the book draws from my personal experiences of navigating the complexities of marriage, the insights apply to any relationship. By exploring the depths of our shadows and embracing the process of self-discovery, readers are empowered to break harmful patterns, nurture authenticity, and create healthier connections. Ultimately, the book serves as a reminder that healing the self is the first step toward transforming all relationships.
Were there any particular challenges you faced while writing this book?
Writing So, I Married My Shadow was a journey fraught with challenges that tested me on every level. It felt like the end of an era—my marriage was in limbo, and I was grappling with the uncertainty of housing insecurity and the chaos of leaving Florida after two hurricanes. Amidst these external storms, I was also navigating internal upheaval, facing long-buried traumas that resurfaced as I delved deeper into my shadow. Each word I wrote demanded that I see myself with unflinching honesty, confront the pain I had avoided, and begin the work of breaking generational cycles. Balancing this emotional labor with the practical struggles of daily life often felt overwhelming, but it also became the catalyst for profound growth. This book is a testament to those trials and to the resilience and healing that emerged from their depths.
Are there any hidden messages or layers in the book that you hope readers will discover over time?
So, I Married My Shadow is a layered exploration of how the hurt experienced in marriage can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. At its surface, the book reflects the raw emotions of loneliness and unmet needs that often accompany marital struggles. Yet beneath that pain lies a deeper journey of self-discovery and healing. Through poetry and reflection, I chronicle how confronting these wounds—rather than running from them—allowed me to transform pain into understanding, resentment into compassion, and despair into hope. Within So, I Married My Shadow lies a profound spiritual component, inviting readers to embark on a journey of inner alchemy—transforming pain and shadows into light and self-awareness. Through the lens of esoteric wisdom and psychoanalysis, lies the healing power of introspection, offering a path toward wholeness, where the divine and the human self unite.
How do you define success as an author? Is it critical acclaim, reader connection, or something else?
It’s still too early for me to define success in concrete terms, as the journey is ongoing and ever-evolving. What I do know is that I hope to reach millions, to connect with others on a deep, transformative level, and to use my words as a catalyst for healing and change. My success isn’t about fame or recognition, but about the impact I can have on people’s lives. The true measure of success will be in how my work resonates with others, ignites personal growth, and contributes to a collective shift toward deeper understanding and compassion.
So, I Married My Shadow: Poetry & Reflections by LVF.LVX is available for pre-order here.
LVF.LVX is an enigmatic writer and artist with a deep love for the esoteric. As a brand and alter-ego, she is an obscurity, contradiction, and whatever you want her to be. She writes to transcend her sorrows, drawing from the ethereal for inspiration. When she’s not writing, she enjoys dance, avant-garde art, and nature walks. With a degree in philosophy, her writing reflects a profound exploration of the human condition and relentless quest for truth— love being her greatest motivator. She invites you to join her on a series of initiations unveiling her truth, one poem at a time.
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