Resistance is futile.....

No, I'm not reenacting a scene from Star Trek featuring the Borg. I'm referring to a stumbling block many artists face.

I saw my painting pal, MaryAnn, about a week-and-a-half ago. She told me how she hadn't painted in months. She explained that her basement workspace was now too dreary and cramped and went on to talk about switching rooms.

When MaryAnn told me she wasn't sure what the problem was, I said quite frankly, "You're resisting."

It has nothing to do with the space, place, day, time, or anything else. Resistance is a chosen state we place upon ourselves.

God knows this is nothing new to me. Many a time I've gone on cleaning binges around the house, completely organized my socks by style and color, and did practically everything else under the sun but draw and paint in my little studio. But why?

Is it not wanting to start an art project because it might not turn out right? Depression preventing you from enjoying the process? Fear that you can't cut it as an artist? Maybe it's a combination of all of these and so much more.

How do you combat resistance?

Do the complete opposite. When you resist, you are trying to stop the process, so you have to then choose to take action.

I know....easier said than done.

Giving in to resistance makes it harder to take action in the future. Likewise, taking action when you don't feel like it empowers you on those days when you want to stop altogether. 

Maybe the Borg got it right after all....resistance is futile.