WORKSHOP: Managing Creative Resistance

What it is and how to deal with it

What on earth is Creative Resistance?

You might be wondering… it sounds like some new-fangled kind of weight training, or an artsy political movement.

Well…

You know when you plan to write, but you just … don’t?

You know when you’re at your desk and you suddenly remember you absolutely must clean the bathroom, or take the dog for a walk, or check your emails or make an eighteenth cup of tea?

You know that feeling when you really could be writing but something gets in the way and you tell yourself, you’ll write later, or tomorrow … but then you never do?

Do you ever get a weird squirmy feeling when you sit down to write, and you just can’t get started?

Do you ever beat yourself up, telling yourself that if you were a real writer, you wouldn’t act this way? If you were a real writer, you’d write every day, effortlessly, a slave to the muse, delirious with words.

Do you ever get frustrated with yourself – why on earth can’t you do this thing that you want to do so much?

I’m here to tell you that all this is creative resistance. And … it’s NORMAL! 🤯

Almost every writer and artist I know has experienced these behaviours and feelings, in one way or another. Resistance has many pseudonyms and many bedfellows.

Procrastination. Laziness. Self-doubt. Fear.

Yep, all that lovely chewy stuff that gets in the way of our writing and our art.

The good news…

The good news is you can learn to manage it.

Note, I said manage. I could have called this workshop something like ‘Banish Creative Resistance Forever’ and I would’ve got a heck of lot more sign ups, but I’ve purposefully chosen a gentler, truer word.

I believe that for most people creative resistance will always be present to some extent. We are complicated humans and the reasons this resistance exists will differ from person to person. But we can learn to recognise it and find ways to manage it, so it no longer stops us from doing the work we were put on this planet to do.

Join me for my first workshop for Inkwell subscribers!

In my first Zoom workshop for subscribers, I’m going to tell you everything I know about creative resistance and how to deal with it.

When?

Thursday 23 May 2024, at 6-7pm UK time. Find the time in your timezone here.

Where?

On Zoom. I’ll send the link out to all subscribers 48 hours beforehand.

What we’ll cover

• What creative resistance is

• Where it comes from and how it plays out

• Ways we can work with our resistance to support our writing practice

• A mini group coaching session to identify our personal areas of resistance and how to manage them.

Hopefully, we’ll also have some time to chat. For this first workshop, everyone is welcome, free subscribers and paid members. I would LOVE to have some of you there live so we can connect, share experiences and solutions. 🤞

Will there be a replay?

Yes. I’ll make a replay available for subscribers.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes! Just ask your writer friends to subscribe here and they’ll get the link too.

So, if this sounds like something that would help you, make sure you’re subscribed. And if you’re coming along, let me know in the comments on Substack, or hit reply and drop me a line by email.

I’ll see you there!