The Resistance Paradox

Why Your Brain Fights What You Want Most

Author

Sue Dhillon
May 27, 2025

Hey there Friend,

Happy Tuesday. Question - Ever notice how the closer you get to something important, the harder it becomes to reach for it?

You finally have time to write, but suddenly every chore becomes urgent. You're ready for that difficult conversation, but your phone becomes mysteriously fascinating. You've cleared your schedule for deep work, but now you're reorganizing your sock drawer.

This isn't procrastination. This is the Resistance Paradox.

Your Internal GPS

Resistance doesn't show up when you're scrolling social media. It shows up when you're being brave. The magnitude of resistance you feel is directly proportional to the importance of what you're trying to create.

Your brain's job is keeping you alive. For millions of years, that meant avoiding anything risky or unfamiliar. Every time you try to grow, your ancient brain thinks you're suggesting base jumping without a parachute.

The Three Faces of Resistance

The Perfectionist: "I can't start until everything's perfect."

The Busy Bee: Constantly productive, never on what matters.

The Rationalist: "Actually, this goal isn't that important."

Sound familiar?

The Counterintuitive Truth

Most advice tells you to overcome resistance through willpower or better planning. But resistance isn't a problem to solve—it's information to use.

Resistance is your creativity trying to be born. The stronger the resistance, the more important the work.

Instead of fighting it, try this: When you feel that familiar pushback, pause and ask, "What is this resistance protecting me from?" Usually, it's protecting you from the vulnerability of caring deeply.

The Resistance Reset

Next time you feel internal friction toward something important:

  1. Name it: "I notice resistance toward [specific action]."

  2. Honor it: "Thanks for trying to keep me safe, brain."

  3. Proceed anyway: "I'm doing it because it matters."

The goal isn't eliminating resistance—it's developing a different relationship with it. See it as confirmation you're moving toward something meaningful, not away from it.

Your resistance isn't random. It's precise. It shows up strongest around the work that would most transform you.

This week, move toward what creates resistance in you. Not because it's easy, but because it's yours.

What area of your life generates the most resistance right now? That might be exactly where you need to focus next.

For More Inspiration Check Out Some Of My Other Work

Press On - Substack

Awakening Silence - Substack

This week’s episode is sponsored by Renoo. Step up your mindfulness routine with these amazing luxury mindfulness tools.