Overcoming Resistance: Why You Struggle to Start (And How to Move Forward)

Have you ever had that moment where you know what would be good for you — that walk in the sun, that early night, that journalling session, that nourishing meal — but you just can’t seem to bring yourself to do it?

That’s resistance.

And it’s one of the biggest things I see in the women I work with — especially those doing deep emotional or nervous system healing work. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

You might think resistance means you're lazy. Unmotivated. Not ready. But none of that is true.
Resistance is often your nervous system trying to protect you.

What Resistance Really Is (And Why It Makes Sense)

Resistance is a protective mechanism. It’s your body and brain choosing the familiar over the unknown — even when the familiar isn’t working (hello nervous system safety set point).

Your nervous system is always scanning for safety. And if you’ve spent years (or decades) running on stress, people-pleasing, self-abandonment, or over-control, then dysregulation becomes your baseline. It’s what your system knows.

So when you try to do something nourishing — like slowing down, setting a boundary, or caring for yourself deeply — your body might interpret that as unsafe. Unfamiliar. Too exposed.

And so… resistance kicks in.

• “I don’t have time.”

• “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

• “This won’t work anyway.”

• “I’m too tired.”

• “I’ll just quickly check my phone first…”

Sound familiar?

This isn’t self-sabotage in the way we often think about it (not that that is even correct anyway). It’s not about weakness or failure. It’s your subconscious trying to avoid perceived threat — even if that “threat” is rest, joy, softness, or change.

How Resistance Shows Up

Resistance can be sneaky. It might look like:

• Procrastination — putting off what you know is helpful

• Distraction — scrolling, snacking, overworking, or staying busy

• Overwhelm — telling yourself you can’t start until everything is perfect

• Numbness — feeling too tired or checked out to engage

• Over-analysis — constantly researching but never taking action

• Self-criticism — spiralling into shame about your lack of follow-through

The truth is, the bigger the change you’re trying to make — emotionally, physically, or energetically — the more resistance you're likely to encounter.
And that’s OK. The goal isn’t to eliminate resistance. It’s to work with it, gently and consistently.

Why It’s So Important To Move Through Resistance

Here’s the thing: resistance isn’t just a frustrating block — it’s a signpost.

It’s showing you exactly where the healing wants to happen.
Exactly where the old patterns are clinging tight.
Exactly where your nervous system needs more safety.

When you begin to notice and honour your resistance — without shaming it — you start to create new pathways in your body and mind. You signal that it’s safe to rest. Safe to change. Safe to choose nourishment.

And over time, this changes everything.

Four Ways To Work With Resistance (Not Against It)

These are some of the tools I teach inside Nourishment Gateway, and they’re gentle but powerful. You don’t need to force or hustle through your healing — you just need to build trust with your body again.

1. Reframe Resistance As Part Of The Process

It’s not a problem to solve — it’s part of the journey. Instead of saying, “Why am I like this?”, ask, “What part of me feels unsafe right now?”

2. Break It Into Micro-Steps

If going for a 40-minute walk feels like too much, try 5 minutes barefoot in the backyard. If meal prepping feels overwhelming, chop one veggie. Tiny actions create big momentum over time.

3. Find Safe Support

When you're trying to shift long-held patterns, being seen, supported, and understood makes all the difference. Whether that’s a group like Nourishment Gateway, a 1:1 session, or a close friend — don’t go it alone.

4. Celebrate The Smallest Wins

Seriously. Putting your phone down. Drinking water. Saying no. All of it counts. You’re creating new neural pathways — and that deserves celebration.

This Is Exactly What Nourishment Gateway Is For

I created Nourishment Gateway because I saw how many women knew what they needed… but still struggled to follow through. Not because they didn’t care, but because of the resistance that came up again and again.

Inside the program, we work with resistance at the root. We bring nervous system regulation, emotional release, structure, softness, and community together in a way that gently rewires the patterns keeping you stuck.

You don’t have to push your way into health or healing.
You just need support that meets you where you are.

So if resistance is showing up for you lately — take that as a sign. Not of failure. But of something important asking to be felt, heard, and gently shifted.

Let’s walk through it together.