Resistance: The Invisible Force Holding Us Back
This Is How You Transform 'Resistance' Into Creative Fuel
In every creative’s life, there’s a quiet struggle that often goes unnoticed, yet it affects us deeply. This struggle comes from within, an unseen barrier that pushes back when we try to unleash our creativity.
This internal struggle is what author Steven Pressfield first defined as “resistance” in his book The War of Art.
In this issue, we’ll explore the surprising struggle of resistance, digging into where it comes from and how to reframe it as fuel to power our creative journey. As Edwin Land – inventor of the Polaroid camera – stated:
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.”
Overcoming fear-based resistance is key to unlocking our creative potential.
Resistance is that little voice that tells us to be careful when all we want to do is dive in headfirst. It’s the doubt that creeps in when we’re ready to take a leap with our art. Think of resistance as the background noise that sometimes drowns out our creative thoughts.
It shows up in a few ways that might feel all too familiar:
Self-Doubt: This is when we start questioning ourselves. Thoughts like, “Am I really cut out for this?” or “What if I’m not as creative as I think?” pop up in our heads.
Procrastination: It’s that habit of putting off our projects. We clean our desks, we scroll through our phones, look at social media, or we tell ourselves we’ll start tomorrow.
Fear: It’s the big one. It can be fear of not making it, fear of what others will think, or even fear of actually succeeding and not knowing what comes next.
Getting to know resistance is the first move in beating it. It’s not about not being good enough or lacking talent. It’s something everyone who wants to create something faces, especially when it’s work that truly matters to us.
When we call out resistance for what it is, we start to take away its power. By understanding it, we’re already starting to pull it apart.
What follows next is a deep dive into where resistance comes from and how to flip it from being a roadblock to becoming a stepping stone on our creative journey.
As we recognize the often invisible struggle that resistance presents, it’s time to confront the more overt barriers it erects in our path, those persistent hurdles that challenge our creative endeavors.
The Surprise of Resistance in Creativity
When we jump into the world of creating — be it painting, writing, or any form of art — we often think we’re signing up for a life of free-spirited expression. We imagine a journey where our ideas flow as freely as a river, and every day is an opportunity to share a piece of ourselves with the world.
But what doesn’t get talked about as much is the silent battle that comes with this territory. It’s like setting out on an open road trip and finding out that sometimes, your own mind puts up roadblocks where you least expect them.
This internal tussle is resistance, and it catches many of us off-guard. It’s not the kind of challenge we can see coming. There’s no warning sign that says, “Hey, in about three steps, you’re going to start doubting every idea you have.” It just shows up, throwing a wrench in our gears when we thought we’d be cruising along.
Here’s the twist, though: Resistance isn’t just about making us stall or doubt; it’s actually part of the process. It’s a sign that we’re pushing into something real and meaningful. The very fact that we feel this struggle is evidence that we’re trying to break through to something great—our art, our voice, our story.
So, the surprise isn’t that the road has bumps and turns; it’s discovering that these bumps are where the real creativity starts. It’s in these moments that we find out what we’re really made of and what our work means to us.
Now let’s dive into the reasons why this resistance shows up and how it’s actually trying to tell us something important about our journey.
Facing the Persistent Hurdle of Creative Resistance
Setting out on a creative venture often brings us face-to-face with resistance, the internal struggle we defined earlier. This challenge is more than a minor setback; it’s a consistent force that tends to emerge just as we’re gearing up to dive into our projects.
Imagine it’s like an invisible force that gently pulls your hand back every time you reach out to create. You can’t see it, but boy, can you feel it. It’s as if your own creativity has a shadow that’s a little shy and holds you back just when you’re ready to leap.
According to Pressfield, this isn’t some big, bad thing out to sabotage us. It’s more like our mind’s safety switch that flips on when it senses change ahead — because let’s face it, diving into the new can be daunting.
There’s a silver lining here, though. Resistance tends to show up when something truly special is about to happen, when we’re pushing our limits and stepping out of the cozy comfort zone. That discomfort we feel is similar to the ache after a good workout—it’s a sign of getting stronger, of muscles building up.
Getting to grips with resistance, as Pressfield points out, is a bit like learning the rules to a new game. Once we know why it’s there, we can give it a nod, maybe even a wink, and carry on with our work.
Having acknowledged the hurdles resistance places before us, let’s look inward and digg deeper to unearth the very roots of the resistance that clings to our creative spirit.
Digging Deeper into the Roots of Resistance
The internal struggle known as resistance is deeply entwined with our own psyche. Resistance is our mind’s way of protecting our ‘shadow self’, or the concealed parts of our nature that creative work exposes.
Resistance thrives on our fear, convincing us to avoid the discomfort of growth. It’s the psychological handbrake that stops us from exposing our true potential and creativity to possible scrutiny and critique.
To overcome resistance, we must first acknowledge it as an inherent part of the creative process. Recognizing that it springs from our instinct for self-preservation, we can then approach our creative work with a blend of awareness and resilience.
By facing resistance head-on, we don’t just push past a mental block; we engage with our whole selves, shadows included, unlocking the full spectrum of our creative capacities.
With greater understanding of where resistance takes root, our next step is to turn the mirror inward through personal reflection. By carefully examining our own behaviors, thought patterns, and responses to resistance, we can begin the essential process of dismantling the internal barriers we’ve identified. This self-examination will provide the insights we need to push past resistance when it arises and unlock our creative potential.
Reflecting Personally to Overcome Resistance
Setting out on a journey of self-reflection is a powerful stride towards dismantling the barriers of resistance that hold back our creative potential.
Self-awareness is a powerful tool in an artist’s or creative’s toolbox. It’s through reflecting on our personal experiences with resistance that we gain the insights needed to push past it. Consider these prompts as mirrors, designed to reveal the unique shape and form of your own resistance:
Reflect on Patterns: What consistent habits or thoughts emerge when you’re facing a creative block? Identifying these patterns can spotlight the ways resistance manifests for you.
Recognize Triggers: What specific events or feelings trigger your resistance? Is it criticism, the pressure to succeed, or perhaps the vulnerability that comes with sharing your work?
Evaluate Your Responses: How do you typically respond to resistance? Do you procrastinate, seek distractions, or maybe double down on your efforts?
Consider Past Triumphs: Recall a time when you successfully overcame resistance. What strategies did you employ, and how can they be adapted to current challenges?
By engaging with these prompts, you’ll begin to map out the landscape of your internal barriers. With this map, you’ll be better equipped to navigate through resistance, turning inner obstacles into stepping stones for growth and creativity.
Reflection paves the way for transformation. It is through the act of reframing our understanding of resistance, viewing it not as an enemy but as a guide, that we can harness its power to fuel our growth
Reframing Resistance as Our Guide to Growth
Picture resistance not as a roadblock but as a guiding compass, one that doesn’t show you where you simply want to go, but where you need to grow. This shift in perspective transforms resistance from a foe to an ally.
Before we dive into practical strategies, let’s set the framework for reframing resistance as an opportunity for growth with the following considerations:
The more resistance you feel towards a project, the more important it likely is for your growth.
Resistance frequently points us toward challenges that we need to overcome in order to evolve. Embrace it as a sign that you’re being pushed to expand your boundaries.
Use resistance as a tool for self-discovery. Each time you encounter it, you have a new opportunity to explore your motivations, desires, and the depth of your resolve.
Your willingness to face resistance can also serve as a measure of your commitment to your craft. The more committed you are, the more resistance you might feel, and conversely, the more resistance you face, the more it may galvanize your commitment.
When reimagining resistance as a compass, you begin to see every internal struggle not as a battle to be fought but as an invitation to journey deeper into your creative pursuits, allowing you to chart a course through the very heart of your passion.
Our newfound perspective on resistance as a compass for growth invites us to build resilience. This resilience is not merely a shield against resistance but a proactive strategy to engage with it constructively.
Building Resilience to Face Resistance
Developing resilience is about strengthening yourself from the inside out, enabling you to meet resistance head-on with an unwavering spirit. Here’s how you can cultivate the resilience needed to keep resistance in check:
Establishing a Solid Routine: Stick to a daily routine that anchors your creative process. This routine acts as your foundation against the chaos of resistance, giving you a framework to remain productive even when motivation wanes.
Setting Achievable Goals: Break down your grand visions into bite-sized, manageable tasks. Small wins build momentum and reinforce your resolve, making resistance less daunting.
Seeking Supportive Networks: Surround yourself with people who get it. Finding a community of fellow creatives provides not only moral support but also a collective wisdom to draw upon when facing down resistance. Check out The Artpreneur Society.
Celebrating Progress: Take time to acknowledge your progress. Recognizing how far you’ve come reinforces your resilience and reminds you that resistance hasn’t won.
Staying Physically and Mentally Sharp: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mindfulness practices like meditation can strengthen your mental fortitude, making you less susceptible to the paralyzing effects of resistance.
Practicing Positive Self-Talk: When you feel resistance creeping in, talk to yourself with compassion. Affirm your abilities and value to counter the negativity.
By nurturing these habits, you create a reservoir of inner strength that turns resistance from a formidable opponent into a manageable aspect of the creative process.
As we strengthen our resolve and resilience, we also learn to use the very resistance we face as a catalyst for our creativity, turning potential obstacles into the fuel that powers our creative engines.
Using Resistance as Fuel for Creativity
Instead of letting resistance stifle your creativity, why not harness it as fuel?
Here’s how to flip the script and transform resistance into a powerful ally in your creative endeavors:
Embrace the Energy: Acknowledge that the intensity of resistance mirrors the passion you have for your work. Channel that intensity back into your creative projects.
Redirect Your Focus: When resistance hits, shift your attention to the act of creating itself. Let the process, rather than the end product, be your focus, turning the tide of resistance into productive energy.
Set the Challenge: Use the challenge resistance presents as a benchmark. Prove it wrong by committing to create something — anything — no matter how small or imperfect.
Harness the Emotion: If resistance brings frustration, use that emotion in your art. Write it out, paint it out, play it out. Emotional energy can be raw material for powerful art.
Action Over Inaction: Whenever you feel resistance creeping up, do something creative, even if it’s unrelated to your project. This keeps the momentum going and can lead to unexpected inspiration.
Brainstorm and Sketch: If you feel resistant about a specific project, force yourself to brainstorm ideas or produce one quick sketch for 10 minutes. Getting something on paper can help overcome initial barriers.
By actively redirecting the energy of resistance into these strategies, you reclaim control over your creative process. Resistance becomes not a roadblock but a springboard, propelling you forward with renewed energy.
Embracing the Journey
As we wrap up this exploration of resistance, remember that it’s a natural part of the creative journey. It’s not a sign to stop, but a signal that you’re on the brink of something significant.
Here are the key takeaways to carry with you:
Resistance is Normal: Every creative faces it. Recognizing resistance as a common experience can demystify it and reduce its power over you.
Insight from Struggle: Resistance often points to areas where we have the most potential for growth. Like a compass, it can guide us toward our true north in creativity.
Tools for the Path: Self-reflection, routine, community support, and reframing our perspective are all vital tools that help us navigate through our inner barriers.
Transforming Resistance: By converting the energy of resistance into creative fuel, we can keep our artistic fires burning brightly, even in the face of adversity.
And finally, as we master the art of converting resistance into creative fuel, we embrace the entirety of our journey — each struggle and triumph — knowing that each step, whether light or heavy, is a dance with creativity itself.
As you step away from this newsletter and back into your creative world or studio, carry with you the understanding that resistance is just another part of the creative landscape. With the right mindset and tools, each hurdle can become a stepping stone.
When resistance arises, remember these 3 key principles:
Reframe it as a compass pointing to your growth areas.
Use it as fuel to drive your creativity forward.
Surround yourself with a strong support system to keep going.
That’s it for this issue of The Intentional Artist.
As always, if this resonated or was of help, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Artfully yours,
Chris
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Resistance is my dear old friend! I've had a project in my soul for more than a year now and resistance has kept me from starting. The reason is I'm afraid of being a beginner in something because it's not a photography project but more mixed media. I've had some tiny wins recently, though, so I may be chipping away at the resistance. :-)