Why Resistance Is Keeping You Stuck (And How Curiosity Unlocks the Door)
Resistance. You know the feeling.
That tightness in your chest when you have to face an uncomfortable truth.
The endless procrastination before tackling something meaningful.
That internal voice whispering, “This is too hard. Let’s just stay here where it’s safe.”
Resistance is the silent killer of progress. It convinces you to stay put, to avoid discomfort, and to keep doing what you’ve always done—even if it’s making you miserable.
But what if I told you resistance isn’t the enemy? What if it’s actually an invitation?
Enter curiosity—the simple yet powerful shift that turns obstacles into stepping stones.
How Resistance Sneaks into Your Life
Resistance is like that friend who means well but always gives you bad advice.
- Trying something new? Resistance tells you you’re not ready.
- Want to speak up? Resistance reminds you of the time you failed.
- Feeling stuck in a job, relationship, or life situation? Resistance convinces you that change is too risky.
And here’s the kicker: Resistance isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it shows up as perfectionism (”I need more research before I start.”) or busyness (”I’ll focus on this once I finish everything else on my list.”).
Sound familiar?
Why Curiosity Is the Ultimate Antidote to Resistance
Curiosity is the mental judo move that flips resistance on its head. Instead of fighting against the discomfort, you lean in.
Think about it:
- Resistance says: “You’re not good enough to start.”
- Curiosity asks: “What would happen if I tried?”
- Resistance says: “You’ll fail and look stupid.”
- Curiosity asks: “What could I learn even if I don’t get it perfect?”
- Resistance says: “You don’t have time for this.”
- Curiosity asks: “What small step could I take today?”
Curiosity keeps you moving forward without the pressure of having it all figured out. It shifts your focus from fear of failure to openness to discovery.
How to Shift from Resistance to Curiosity in 4 Steps
1. Name Your Resistance (Call It Out!)
First, bring your resistance into the light. You can’t fight a ghost—you have to name it.
- What am I avoiding?
- Why does this feel uncomfortable?
- What’s the worst thing that could happen?
Sometimes, simply identifying your resistance takes away its power.
2. Flip the Script: Ask “What If?”
Instead of seeing resistance as a dead-end, turn it into an experiment.
- What if this wasn’t as scary as I think?
- What if I tried this for just 10 minutes?
- What if I approached this with curiosity instead of fear?
This takes the pressure off. You’re no longer making a life-or-death decision—you’re just testing the waters.
3. Take a Micro-Step (Action Is the Cure)
Curiosity without action is just mental gymnastics. You have to do something—even if it’s ridiculously small.
- Afraid to write that blog post? Write the first sentence.
- Stuck in a job you hate? Schedule one informational interview.
- Avoiding a tough conversation? Write down what you’d like to say.
Micro-steps destroy resistance because they remove the overwhelm.
4. Get Playful: Treat It Like a Game
The real secret? Make it fun.
Instead of forcing yourself to take action, get playful:
- Turn fear into a game. See how fast you can do the thing you’re avoiding.
- Challenge yourself. “Can I make this less painful?”
- Make it an experiment. “What happens if I just try this once?”
When you stop taking resistance so seriously, it loses its grip.
Examples of Resistance vs. Curiosity
Let’s put this into practice:
Fear of Failure → A Curiosity Experiment
🚫 Resistance says: “If I try and fail, I’ll look stupid.”
✅ Curiosity asks: “What’s one small way I can test this without huge risk?”
👉 Action Step: Instead of launching a business, test your idea by offering a free session to a friend.
Procrastination → The 5-Minute Rule
🚫 Resistance says: “I don’t feel like starting.”
✅ Curiosity asks: “What happens if I work on this for just 5 minutes?”
👉 Action Step: Set a timer for 5 minutes and just start. You can stop after that, but you probably won’t.
Feeling Stuck in Life → A New Perspective
🚫 Resistance says: “I’m just stuck.”
✅ Curiosity asks: “What’s one thing I haven’t tried yet?”
👉 Action Step: Change your routine. Take a different route to work. Read a book you wouldn’t normally read. Talk to someone new.
The Resistance-to-Curiosity Challenge
Now, let’s make this real for you.
Step 1: Think of something you’ve been avoiding.
Step 2: Ask yourself, “How can I approach this with curiosity instead of fear?”
Step 3: Take one small action today.
No pressure. No need for perfection. Just experiment.
Final Thoughts: Resistance Is a Sign You’re On the Right Path
Here’s the ironic part: The things you resist the most are often the things you need the most.
That project you keep putting off? It probably has the potential to change your life.
That conversation you’re dreading? It might lead to deeper connection.
That risk you’re scared to take? It could be the thing that sets you free.
So, the next time resistance shows up, don’t fight it. Instead, get curious.
👉 What is this resistance trying to teach me?
👉 How can I explore this challenge instead of avoiding it?
👉 What happens if I just take one small step?
Because curiosity isn’t just a mindset—it’s a superpower. And once you start using it, resistance doesn’t stand a chance.
Ready to turn resistance into curiosity and live more authentically? Check out The Curiosity Compass coaching program, where we take this shift to a whole new level. 🚀
