Questions: Family & Friends

I grew up with a mother who talks 24 hours a day. She's on the phone first thing in the morning. Then I married a woman who would talk trash about her coworkers to her friends, then talk trash about her friends to her coworkers. She probably talked trash about me to everyone else as well.
Now I have guy friends who come over and just want to sit and talk about other people.
I can't stand gossip, how do you feel?

We all have a darker side within us.

Sometimes it manifests in anger, violence, infidelity and other impulsive acts.

I spent a lot of time meditating on my shadow self, my lust, vanity and desire for sexual affection, my wrath and desire for change. My hate and long held wounds from abuse and class struggle as well as the frailty of the mortal form.

It hasn't always been easy, but in accepting and integrating my shadow self I find I'm a fuller, happier and less conflicted person. I find that I get more done, and that I'm less bound by the will of others, particularly when they are not operating in my best interest.

One of the results of this has been an examination of my adult sexual relationships and accepting polyfidelity as a more fulfilling option for myself.

Another has been to let go of a well paying but toxic job, in favor of freedom, entrepreneurial endeavor and a focus on my health and family.

Have you Integrated your shadow?
If you did, what did you learn or change?

Would you try it?

Do you prefer repression? If so please explain.