5 Ways to Release Resistance and Invite Flow into Your Life
📸✨: Haley Phelps (@haleyephelps)
Resistance can be surprisingly dramatic for something that often looks like… doing nothing.
It shows up as procrastination.
As scrolling instead of starting.
As reorganizing your desk instead of sending the email.
As feeling vaguely irritated at the thing you wanted to do two days ago.
You want to move forward… and something in you just goes, “Nope.”
And if you’ve ever Googled “how to release resistance” or wondered why you feel so stuck, you’re not alone.
Here’s the part I want you to hear clearly, though:
Resistance isn’t a personality flaw.
It’s usually a signal.
When we talk about “flow,” it’s easy to picture something effortless and graceful — like you wake up inspired, move through your day smoothly, and everything just clicks.
Real flow is less magical than that.
It’s what happens when you stop pushing against yourself long enough to feel what’s actually going on.
So if things have felt stuck, tight, or heavier than they need to lately, here are five grounded (and slightly more human) ways to ease resistance and invite a little more flow back in.
1. Stop Resisting the Fact That You’re Resisting
Yes. I hear it too.
This is basically “stop fighting the fact that you’re fighting.”
It’s a little ironic. And also very real.
A lot of resistance sticks around because we’re mad at ourselves for having it.
We think:
“Why can’t I just do this?”
“It shouldn’t be this hard.”
“What is wrong with me?”
And suddenly we’re not just resisting the task — we’re resisting ourselves.
That second layer is usually heavier than the first.
Sometimes the shift toward flow starts with something very unglamorous. Maybe something as simple as:
“OK. I’m resisting this.”
Not judging it.
Not fixing it.
Just naming it.
Because once you stop arguing with reality, you have a little more room to work with it.
Try This:
Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this?”
Ask, “What might this resistance be trying to protect me from?”
You might be surprised by the answer.
2. Look for the Pressure You Pretended Wasn’t There
Resistance loves pressure.
Pressure to be productive.
To move faster.
To prove something.
To not disappoint anyone (including yourself).
Sometimes we layer so much expectation onto something that our system quietly goes, “Absolutely not.”
Flow doesn’t show up well in high-pressure environments. It shows up when there’s enough safety to move.
If you’ve been pushing hard — even internally — it makes sense that something in you is pushing back.
That doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you human.
Try This:
Take one thing you’ve been avoiding and gently lower the stakes.
Shrink the timeline.
Reduce the outcome.
Give yourself permission to do it imperfectly.
See what shifts when the pressure eases.
Feeling ready to stop fighting yourself and soften the pressure?
Download my free Letting Go Ritual Workbook to release what’s creating resistance and make space for what moves naturally.
3. Make It Smaller Than Feels Impressive
We often resist things because we’re trying to do them in a way that feels meaningful, complete, or impressive.
But flow doesn’t care about impressive.
It cares about doable.
If you’re resisting writing — write one paragraph.
If you’re resisting working out — stretch for five minutes.
If you’re resisting a conversation — send one honest sentence.
There’s something powerful about choosing the smallest possible next step.
It lowers the friction.
It reduces the drama.
It gives your nervous system a chance to cooperate.
And often, once you start small, momentum shows up on its own.
Try This:
Ask yourself:
“What is the tiniest version of this I could do right now?”
Then stop there. You’re not required to build on it.
4. Soften the Body Before You Force the Action
Resistance isn’t just mental. It’s physical.
You might notice:
your shoulders creeping up
your jaw tightening
your breathing staying shallow
that restless urge to check your phone instead
Flow feels open. Resistance feels tight.
Instead of forcing yourself to “just do it,” try softening the tightness first.
Stand up. Roll your shoulders. Step outside for a minute. Put your hand on your chest and take a slow breath.
You don’t need a motivational speech.
You need less tension.
Sometimes flow returns simply because your body no longer feels braced.
Try This:
Before you attempt the thing you’re resisting, spend two minutes relaxing your body.
No hype. No pep talk. Just soften.
5. Ask If It’s Actually Aligned
This one can be uncomfortable.
Not all resistance is fear. Sometimes it’s wisdom…deep from your Higher Self.
Sometimes the reason something feels heavy is because:
it doesn’t fit anymore
it belongs to an older version of you
you said yes when you meant maybe
you’re trying to prove something you no longer care about
Flow isn’t just about momentum. It’s about direction.
If something consistently feels draining or wrong, it’s worth asking whether you’re forcing yourself into a shape that doesn’t quite fit.
You’re allowed to reassess.
Try This:
Ask yourself:
“If I weren’t trying to prove anything, would I still choose this?”
Notice what happens in your body when you ask.
That response is information.
Journaling Prompts
Where do I notice resistance showing up most often?
What might this resistance be protecting me from?
Where am I adding unnecessary pressure?
What would a smaller, softer step look like?
Does this still feel aligned — or am I forcing it?
What does flow feel like in my body?
Affirmations
Resistance is information, not failure.
I can soften instead of force.
Flow doesn’t require perfection.
I’m allowed to move at my own pace.
Smaller steps still count.
I trust myself to notice what fits.
Frequently Asked Questions for When You Feel Stuck
Is resistance always a sign that I’m avoiding something important?
Not always. Sometimes it points to fear. Other times it points to exhaustion, misalignment, or unclear expectations. Curiosity works better than judgment here.
How do I know if it’s fear or intuition?
Fear usually feels tight and urgent. Intuition tends to feel steady and clear, even when it says no. Slowing down helps you tell the difference.
Can flow be created, or does it just happen?
Flow can’t be forced, but it can be invited. When pressure drops and tension softens, flow has space to show up.
What if I keep cycling through the same resistance?
That often means something deeper wants attention — like a boundary, a need, or a belief that doesn’t fit anymore. Repetition isn’t failure. It’s a pattern asking to be understood.
Does releasing resistance mean I stop trying?
No. It means you stop fighting yourself. And that’s a very different thing.
Final Thoughts
Resistance doesn’t mean you’re lazy, broken, or behind.
Most of the time, it means something inside you is asking for adjustment — not punishment.
Flow isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about working with yourself instead of against yourself.
And sometimes that starts with noticing the irony… and softening anyway.
Still Have Questions?
If you have more questions that I didn’t address here, based on your specific situation or anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I’d love to see how I could be of service!
