Burnout Recovery: Tackling Resistance and Reclaiming Your Life
One of the biggest challenges I faced after burnout was resistance.
I resisted cooking, going outside, and doing anything beyond the bare essentials—scrolling the internet became my default. I tried forcing my way through it, but the motivation never lasted long enough to make a real difference.
After years of living with this persistent resistance, I realized it wasn’t going to disappear on its own. I had to meet it head-on. That’s when I developed the exercise below.
Through this practice, I discovered that resistance is a form of communication with ourselves. Just as touching the thorn of a rose signals pain, resistance is a way the mind communicates its discomfort. When the body is in pain, it’s easy to listen to that signal. But what about when the mind is in pain? Would you be willing to pause and listen to it?
The mind often starts off whispering when something feels wrong: “This is uncomfortable, but maybe it’ll get easier.” If things don’t improve, the mind raises the volume, signaling anxiety, sadness, anger, or resistance. This could happen during a one-time situation (like doing taxes), or an ongoing challenge such as work, family, or relationships.
I’ve come to understand that emotions like resistance, anger, sadness, and anxiety are invitations to explore deeper. When we ask ourselves, “Why do I feel this way?” we open a doorway to understanding something our subconscious already knows.
Many of us are afraid to dive into these emotions, fearing what we might discover. But what are you truly afraid of? The more we question our minds thoughtfully and intentionally, the more we break free from the chains of fear.
An Exercise to Meet Your Resistance
1. Find a calm place to sit or lie down, and get comfortable. Gently close your eyes or rest your gaze on a single point. Focus on your breath for 5-10 cycles, or until you feel relaxed.
2. Turn your attention inward and allow the situation that’s causing resistance to surface.
3. If a story starts to unfold, let it fade away, and focus solely on the sensation of resistance itself.
4. How does this resistance feel? Can you describe it? Is it hard, prickly, like a wall, or loud? Do you feel it anywhere in your body?
5. Once you’re fully present with the feeling, try meeting it with softness, like you would when listening to a friend. This might take time—be patient. Maybe you soften the resistance a little. Maybe not. Either way, this exercise is always available.
If your response feels fear-based, that’s a sign you’re speaking from the mind or ego. Answers that come from your true self will feel peaceful and loving, even if they’re difficult to accept. Remember, your body and mind are on your side; it’s your thoughts that often try to convince you otherwise.
