Unlocking Resistance
The Inner Struggle Against Positive Action
Resistance is a common yet often perplexing experience where we find ourselves avoiding or hesitating to engage in activities that we know are beneficial or that we genuinely want to do. This internal struggle can manifest in various aspects of our lives, from personal development and career aspirations to health and wellness practices. But what exactly is resistance, and why do we encounter it?
1. The Nature of Resistance
At its core, resistance is a psychological and emotional response that arises when we face the prospect of change, challenge, or stepping out of our comfort zones. It's a protective mechanism rooted in our subconscious mind that aims to keep us safe from perceived threats or discomfort. However, this protective instinct can also prevent us from achieving our goals and realising our potential when it is in opposition to positive change.
2. Fear of the Unknown
One of the primary drivers of resistance is fear of the unknown. When we contemplate doing something new or different, our mind naturally generates uncertainty and fear about the potential outcomes. This fear can lead to procrastination, self-doubt, and avoidance behaviours, as we resist stepping into uncharted territory.
Unconscious limiting beliefs and trauma can also contribute to unexplained or deep seeded resistance that can be difficult to place or understand. Often this type of fear originates from past life trauma or Soul lessons we have signed up to heal in this life which is why it can feel so big or unnerving without logical explanation.
3. Comfort Zone Attachment
Humans are creatures of habit, and we tend to gravitate towards what is familiar and comfortable. Our comfort zone is a mental space where we feel safe and secure. Venturing outside of this zone requires effort and courage, and resistance acts as a barrier to maintain the status quo. Even positive changes can be resisted because they disrupt our habitual patterns, attachments or addictions.
4. Perfectionism and Self-Criticism
Resistance is often fueled by perfectionism and an overly critical inner dialogue. The fear of not being able to perform perfectly or the anticipation of making mistakes can paralyse us into inaction. We resist starting or finishing a project, adopting a healthier lifestyle, or pursuing a passion because we set unrealistically high standards for ourselves and fear falling short, fear failure or even success.
5. Underlying Emotional Blocks
Sometimes, resistance is rooted in deeper emotional blocks or unresolved past experiences. Negative beliefs about ourselves, such as feelings of unworthiness or fear of failure, can create significant resistance. These emotional barriers need to be identified and addressed to move forward effectively.
6. Overwhelm and Lack of Clarity
When a task or goal feels overwhelming, resistance can kick in as a way to cope with the perceived enormity of the challenge. Breaking down goals into smaller, manageable steps and gaining clarity on the path ahead can help reduce this form of resistance.
7. Denial
Denial often forms the foundation for resistance by providing a false sense of comfort and allowing individuals to avoid confronting difficult truths, which in turn leads to resistance against necessary actions. For instance, someone who denies having a health issue will resist going to the doctor or adopting healthier habits. Resistance then reinforces denial by maintaining the status quo, as it prevents the acknowledgment of unhealthy coping mechanisms and the underlying issues. Both denial and resistance are rooted in the fear of change, with denial avoiding the emotional pain of recognition and resistance avoiding the discomfort of taking action.
Strategies to Overcome Resistance
Acknowledge:
The first step to overcoming resistance is to acknowledge its presence without judgement. Understanding that resistance is a natural part of the growth process and is a positive sign that you are approaching a growth edge. Let the discomfort come forward and sit with it.
Acceptance:
Acceptance is about acknowledging something as valid or correct, allowing it to permeate your being and become truth, rather than resisting it. It doesn't imply approval or disapproval, nor does it hinge on the desire for change. Instead, it's the act of welcoming something as worthy of acknowledgment, without the struggle to keep it at bay. Acceptance means embracing what currently exists without passing judgement on its rightness or wrongness. It involves releasing the emotional charge, projections, and preconceived notions of how things ought to be.
Identify the Root Cause:
Reflect on what specifically triggers your resistance. Is it fear of failure, perfectionism, or an emotional block? Understanding the underlying cause can help you address it more effectively. What is it that you truly fear? What are you avoiding or denying within yourself? When you look at the perceived negative or issue that you dislike, how has it served you? What were you receiving from it? What have you learned about yourself from this exchange?
Practice Self-Compassion:
Be kind to yourself. Understand that it's okay to make mistakes and that progress is more important than perfection. Give yourself permission to get messy in your learning process, to feel vulnerable or uncomfortable with new levels of truth or confronting aspects of yourself you have not wanted to look at until now.
Energy Healing
Receiving energy healing to release fear, doubt, lower emotions and addictions to suffering or lack consciousness as well as any interferences that keep us stuck can help carve a path forward with less resistance to embracing a more healthier or positive outlook enabling us to make better choices and take positive action.
Visualise Success:
Visualise the positive outcomes of overcoming resistance. Imagine how achieving your goal will feel and the benefits it will bring. Create a vision board of your goals or practise daily meditations feeling the excitement and joy of achieving your goals.
Break It Down:
Divide your goal into smaller, actionable steps. This reduces the sense of overwhelm and makes the task more manageable.
Set Realistic Expectations:
Set achievable goals and give yourself permission to grow and learn at your own pace.
Create a Support System:
Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage and motivate you. Sharing your goals and progress with others can provide accountability and inspiration.
Meditation with Self Hypnosis and positive subliminal messaging:
Once you have identified the root cause of your fear perpetuating resistance, daily meditations that support the upleveling of the subconscious mind from fear, unworthiness or lack into positive self reflections of confidence, acceptance, joy and abundance support the release of self sabotage, resistance, denial and negative expectations.
Take Action:
Sometimes the best way to overcome resistance is to take the first step, no matter how small. Action creates momentum, and momentum diminishes resistance.
Resistance is a natural response to the prospect of change and growth, often rooted in fear, discomfort, and self-doubt. By understanding the nature of resistance and employing strategies to address it, we can move beyond this barrier and step into our full potential. Remember, overcoming resistance is a journey, and with each step forward, you strengthen your ability to create positive change in your life. Embrace the process with compassion and persistence, and watch as you transform resistance into resilience.