Summer Doldrums: Tips to Beat Resistance
In the doldrums of summer it can feel like nothing’s happening. And more than that, like nothing wants to happen. That the effort to make something, anything happen is monumental and it’d be much easier to turn into a puddle of your former self as you melt by the pool.
It doesn’t help that the world feels like it’s on fire right now. It doesn’t help that the fire’s been burning and doesn’t show any signs of being contained. It doesn’t help that your friends are traveling so it’s hard to connect. It doesn’t help that your body is changing, and social media is so distracting, and it’s either swelteringly hot or epically raining every single day. None of that helps.
You know what helps. Moving your body. Pausing your life long enough to sit for meditation. Journalling to get in touch with your feelings. Creating to express your soul. But in the doldrums of summer it can seem impossible to do any of those things. Even though you know how good they are for you.
It’s Resistance
Dear one, take heart. This is RESISTANCE.
This feeling like you can’t make yourself do it, you can’t do it, you would poke yourself in the eye rather than do it, you’d sit on the couch for hours doom scrolling… it’s all RESISTANCE.
Resistance is natural inertia. It shows up anytime there’s the slightest possibility that you’ll grow, change, or transform. Any time you consider improving or even maintaining any positive growth, resistance appears.
It’s totally normal. And, it’s totally annoying.
If you don’t know what it is or why it’s happening, resistance will keep you stuck for years. If you don’t know what it is, you’ll probably tell yourself you don’t have any willpower or you’re not cut out for the life you want. You’ll tell yourself you can’t have it or you’re not good enough, not worthy enough, not skinny enough, not tall enough… just not enough in some way. All of those thoughts are how resistance stops you.
But the truth is, it’s just extra drag. The more transformative the practice, the more resistance shows up. Like a supersonic jet, the faster it goes, the more G-force on the pilot. Resistance is a natural process. And you can do something about it.
How to Beat Your Resistance
It’s gonna be there so you’re gonna need to be stronger and smarter than your resistance. Here are some quick tips:
NAME IT as soon as you notice you’re avoiding or dreading your practice label that feeling as resistance. Then you’ll know what you’re working with
PLAN AHEAD know when you’re going to practice, what comes before and what comes after. Sticking to the plan leaves less room for resistance to take hold
BUDDY UP have a friend that you practice with or a coach that you tell when you practice. Accountability helps you stick to your plans
HAVE A RITUAL starting your practice with a ritual helps get resistance to back off so that you can get going
REMEMBER YOUR HIGHEST INTENTIONS on a single day it can feel hard to beat resistance, but if you write down and remember the most important reasons why you want to practice it helps you break the drag of resistance
REWARD YOURSELF it’s nice if practice itself is the reward, but adding even more rewards never hurts! Star stickers, a cool drink in the shade, dancing to your favorite song… anything can be a reward if you feel happy and excited about it
But the biggest tip is just so simple
START resistance loses it’s power when you simply start. taking action lifts the anchor of resistance and gets you going again. your biggest most important responsibility is to get started. after that you can figure out which way you want to go
START OVER AGAIN even if you’ve lost your way or you haven’t practiced in forever, you can always start over. Any day is a good day to beat resistance.
Your Practice is Important
I know it seems like melting into a puddle is the best option today. But I also know that days, weeks, months of detachment and disconnection doesn’t feel good. And even when life is difficult (like right now) it feels better to practice. When we’re done we’re more vibrant, more embodied, more empowered, more connected.
If the doldrums are hitting you hard this year, know that you can start any day, anytime. Choose something small and get into a rhythm. And if resistance shows up, remember it’s normal, but don’t let it stop you. Good luck!