When we think about psychological growth, we often picture practices like meditation and positive thinking—powerful tools for self-improvement that shape our perceptions of ourselves and the world. However, true transformation is not solely found in the light. The descent into the depths of our psyche, into the shadows we often avoid, can be just as—if not more—profound. This path is rarely easy, but it is rich with potential.

Most people encounter a dark night of the soul at some point in their lives, sometimes triggered by external events like divorce or job loss and other times arriving without an apparent cause. These tough times usually require us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves. This isn’t easy, as the ego usually puts up a pretty good fight. However, holding on to outdated aspects of our identity can keep us from moving forward in our lives. Old values, beliefs, and self-perceptions need to dissolve to allow authentic parts of ourselves to emerge.

The dark nights offer the unexpected gift of reconnecting to lost parts of ourselves. While growing up, we often disconnect from parts of ourselves that don’t fit our family’s or culture’s expectations. For instance, we may neglect our creative lives in our culture’s focus on analytical and practical skills. Or we may have disconnected from our natural leadership as we were taught that it was our role to follow others. We often find these lost, “golden” parts of ourselves while we are in the dark.

Many who endure journeys into the darkness find that it reshapes their purpose. What once seemed important may no longer hold meaning. New passions and callings emerge. Artists, writers, and visionaries have long drawn inspiration from their darkest moments, proving that hardship often fuels creativity and self-expression. Perhaps most importantly, a dark night fosters an acceptance of surrender. In relinquishing control, we begin to trust in life’s unfolding, perhaps finding our true calling. We also learn resilience, as we navigate suffering more gracefully and emerge stronger on the other side. It also fosters deep empathy—once we’ve touched the depths of despair, we become more attuned to the struggles of others.

Though it may feel like an ending, dark nights of the soul are often the beginning of something greater—a rebirth into a more awakened and authentic existence. If you find yourself in the midst of one, trust that you are being reshaped, not broken.

This image is from Eleusis, Greece, where the sacred mysteries of the goddesses Demeter and Persephone were held in ancient times. This is the cave where Persephone was kidnapped by the god Hades and taken into the depths of the Underworld. The myth of Persephone serves as a powerful metaphor for psychological growth and transformation. Her descent into the Underworld symbolizes the painful but necessary confrontation with the unconscious, much like the dark night of the soul. Persephone emerges as a queen—illustrating how enduring these struggles can lead to empowerment and self-realization and move us from being a victim to being empowered. The cyclical nature of her journey reminds us that growth is not linear; we must navigate both darkness and light to become whole.