Creative Resistance: The Invisible Force Every Writer Faces

You know that moment. You've finally carved out time to write. Your coffee is perfectly brewed, your desk is cleared, and your writing software is open to a pristine blank page. Then suddenly, as if summoned by some malevolent force, you remember the stack of laundry that needs folding. Your inbox feels urgently important. Even the dust gathering on your bookshelf seems to demand immediate attention.

Welcome to RESISTANCE, every writer's constant companion.

The Nature of Resistance

Steven Pressfield hits the nail on the head:

"Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. But it can be felt. We experience it as an energy field radiating from a work-in-potential. It's a repelling force. It's negative. Its aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work."

This invisible force manifests in countless ways. It's the sudden urge to check social media when you're about to write a difficult scene. It's the voice that whispers "you're not good enough" just as you're ready to submit your manuscript. It's the mysterious headache that appears only during your designated writing hours.

Why Resistance Matters

Here's the counterintuitive truth: resistance is actually a positive sign. Its presence indicates that you're on the right path, attempting something meaningful. Think about it - you never feel resistance when watching TV or scrolling through social media. Resistance shows up precisely when you're about to do something important, something that could lead to real growth or change.

The Many Faces of Resistance

Resistance is creative in its attempts to derail us. Here are some of its favourite disguises:

1. Procrastination: The most obvious form, but no less effective for its familiarity

2. Perfectionism: The belief that conditions must be "just right" before we can begin

3. Self-doubt: The internal monologue questioning our abilities and worth

4. Busy work: Convincing ourselves that less important tasks are suddenly crucial

5. Analysis paralysis: Over-researching, over-planning, over-thinking - anything to avoid actually writing

Fighting Back: Strategies for Overcoming Resistance

1. Name It to Tame It

Simply recognising resistance for what it is can diminish its power. When you feel that mysterious pull away from your work, name it: "Hello, Resistance. I see you, but I’m busy right now so you’ll have to leave."

2. Establish a Routine

Resistance thrives in ambiguity. Combat it with structure. Set specific writing times and treat them as non-negotiable appointments with your craft. Resistance will have to make an appointment for another time.

3. Start Small

Don't give resistance big targets to aim at. Instead of "I'm going to write my novel," try "I'm going to write for 15 minutes." You can evade resistance for 15 minutes.  

4. Create Before Consuming

Write before checking email, social media, or news. Morning pages exist for a reason - they happen before resistance has fully woken up.

5. Accept Imperfection

Remember: a flawed manuscript can be edited, but the perfect yet unwritten novel that stays in your head cannot.

The Hidden Gift of Resistance

Perhaps the most important thing to understand about resistance is that it's not actually your enemy - it's your compass. The stronger the resistance you feel towards a project, the more likely it is that this project matters deeply to your growth as a writer.

When you feel that force pushing against you, trying to divert you from your work, take heart. This is not a sign to stop - it's a sign that you're pushing against the boundaries of your comfort zone, expanding into new, uncharted potential.

Moving Forward

The next time you sit down to write and feel that mysterious force pushing back against you, smile. You're exactly where you need to be. The only way past resistance is through it, one word at a time.

Your story matters. Your voice matters. And the world needs the unique perspective that only you can provide.

So sit down, acknowledge the resistance, and write anyway. That's what real writers do - not because they don't feel the fear, the doubt, or the resistance, but because they've learned to create despite it.

After all, as Pressfield also reminds us, "The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it."

Now, close your social media, ignore those dishes, and get writing. Your story is waiting.

What forms of resistance do you encounter most often in your writing journey? Share your experiences in the comments below.