Welcome to the fourth article of my five-part “How To” series.
It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end
-Leonardo Da Vinci
You know that feeling when your alarm goes off, and you hit the snooze button the first time? and then the second? And then by the third, you quit resisting, and eventually get up and get on with your day?
That feeling is known as resistance. Or, as Freud called it, our ‘death wish.’ Writers call it their ‘block’. In layman’s terms, it’s that familiar voice in your head that says, ‘No, I don’t want to.’
We all feel it, and it manifests in all areas of our live, and touches every single one of us.
The evolutionary point of resistance is linked to our survival instinct. We could and should resist violence perpetrated against ourselves and others. Peaceful resistance such as the Civil Rights Movement in the US in the 60s, or Gandhi and Mandela taught us about the importance of using resistance to say no to injustice.
However, many of us have that survival instinct on overdrive. We are so stimulated in our day-to-day lives, that we are triggered by ‘threats’ that do not actually exist. And so that resistance takes over, and we say ‘no’ all too often.
You are not alone in feeling resistance.
Resistance blocks us from living our most creative lives. Many of us are resistant to change, which could often be positive for us in the long run.
This could be from small to big changes.
Let go of what no longer serves you
That job you want to quit, because it makes you really unhappy? Resistance steps in, and starts to list all of the (fake) reasons why you don’t want to quit.
That dance class you want to start taking? You resist taking it because of that voice in your head that says ‘No’.
So, how do we turn that no into a yes?
Here is my step-by-step guide on how to overcome resistance, and step into a fuller and more creative life:
1. Recognise resistance
‘Knowledge is power’. If you know what resistance feels like within yourself, you are already halfway towards letting go of it.
Start paying attention to when you say no.
In order to do this, you will need to start to…
2. Listen to your own mind
Meditation is a great tool for this. here is a great YouTube meditation for learning to listen to the voice within).
Just finding some silence, and recognising what comes up is great for overcoming resistance!
3. Cultivate willpower
When you cultivate willpower, you grow enough strength to flip the script, and beat the resistance that is saying no. Your voice becomes louder, and you start to say yes!
One of my key tools to cultivating willpower has been yoga. However, any activity that requires some discipline, from running to martial arts, music, drawing, writing, they all cultivate willpower.
Even breathing deeply for 5 minutes a day can cultivate willpower!
I’ve recently discovered Wim-Hof breathing, which *include wim-Hof breathing notes’ which includes holding your breath for as long as you can.
You will find your mindset changing, and feel stronger and more grounded within yourself to take bolder decisions that will change your life, and take it in the direction that you want it to go in.
4. Remember that you are in charge of your own destiny
Only you can make changes in your own life. You get a reset every single day. Make today the day! Carpe diem.
Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?
-Rumi
Happy life changes!
Namasté, friend
Kimberley
Xxx
P.S For further reading on the topic of letting go of resistance, I highly recommend the following:
-The War on Art, by Stephen Pressfield
-Conversations with God, by Neale Donald Walsche
-The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
The Light Lioness 