What you resist persists

Ever notice how the more you try to avoid something, the stronger it seems to grow? That's the essence of the phrase "What you resist persists." This concept, popularized by Carl Jung, highlights how resisting negative thoughts, feelings, or situations can often make them more powerful. It suggests that the best way to deal with life’s challenges is to accept them, rather than fight against them. "What you resist persists." This concept, popularized by Carl Jung, highlights how resisting negative thoughts, feelings, or situations can often make them more powerful. It suggests that the best way to deal with life’s challenges is to accept them, rather than fight against them.

What You Resist Persists: A Definition

"What you resist persists" Wikipedia, this idea is rooted in the teachings of Carl Jung, who suggested that the act of resisting something emotionally or mentally gives it more power in your life. Essentially, when you try to suppress or avoid uncomfortable feelings, they don’t disappear; instead, they linger and grow.

Have you ever tried to ignore a nagging problem, only to find it becoming more prominent in your mind? The very act of trying not to think about it makes it harder to forget. This is what the phrase points to: resisting something gives it more energy and attention.

The Axes of "What You Resist Persists"

There are several core ideas that shape the concept of "What you resist persists." Each axis of this concept reveals different aspects of how resistance works in your life and how to overcome it. "What you resist persists." Each axis of this concept reveals different aspects of how resistance works in your life and how to overcome it.

1. Resistance Feeds the Problem

The first key axis is simple: resistance feeds the problem. When you resist something, like a feeling or a situation, you give it more focus. The brain, being wired for survival, will keep bringing it up, trying to find a solution. But in reality, this resistance only fuels the problem.

Practical Exercise:

The next time you feel overwhelmed by an emotion, instead of pushing it away, acknowledge it. Say to yourself, “I am feeling frustrated right now, and that’s okay.” Notice how acknowledging it reduces its intensity.

2. Acceptance Opens the Door to Solutions

On the flip side, acceptance allows for solutions to appear. When you accept what’s happening, your mind becomes more open to new ideas and paths forward. By no longer resisting the problem, you can start seeing the opportunities for growth and change.

Practical Exercise:

Practice daily acceptance with small things. If it’s raining and you had outdoor plans, instead of getting upset, try saying, “It’s raining, and I can still enjoy my day.” This shift in mindset trains your brain to handle bigger challenges with grace.

3. Emotions Are Energy in Motion

Emotions are often described as "energy in motion." When you resist a feeling, you block that energy from flowing. But when you allow yourself to feel the emotion fully, you enable it to move through you. That’s why sometimes, after a good cry, you feel lighter and more at peace. You’ve allowed the emotion to express itself. "energy in motion." When you resist a feeling, you block that energy from flowing. But when you allow yourself to feel the emotion fully, you enable it to move through you. That’s why sometimes, after a good cry, you feel lighter and more at peace. You’ve allowed the emotion to express itself.

Practical Exercise:

When a difficult emotion arises, take a few deep breaths and let yourself feel it fully, without judgment. Notice the sensations in your body and allow them to exist without trying to change them.

4. The Subconscious Mind Loves Repetition

The subconscious mind thrives on repetition. If you constantly tell yourself not to feel a certain way, that’s what it will focus on. Resistance is like giving your mind a command to keep bringing up the very thing you’re trying to avoid.

Practical Exercise:

Start each day with a positive affirmation like, “I accept my feelings as they are.” This helps train your subconscious to embrace acceptance rather than resistance.

5. Letting Go Is a Form of Freedom

The final axis is about letting go. Letting go doesn’t mean you stop caring; it means you stop letting something control your emotions. When you let go of resistance, you create space for peace and clarity.

Practical Exercise:

Write down something you’ve been resisting. It could be a fear, an emotion, or a situation. Then, write out what it would look like to accept it. How would your life change if you stopped fighting against it?

Benefits of Feeling: Why It's Important to Feel Your Emotions

We live in a culture that often tells us to "be positive" and ignore negative emotions. But avoiding feelings can have the opposite effect. When you don’t allow yourself to feel, you suppress your emotions, which often leads to anxiety, stress, and even physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue.

Here are a few reasons why feeling your emotions is essential:

• Emotional Release:

• Letting yourself feel emotions allows you to release pent-up energy, which helps you move on from them.

• Mental Clarity:

• Accepting and feeling your emotions leads to clearer thinking and less emotional clutter.

• Healthier Relationships:

• When you suppress your emotions, it’s harder to communicate authentically with others. Feeling your emotions helps you connect more deeply with those around you.

20 Quotes About "What You Resist Persists"

Sometimes, a simple quote can put things into perspective. Here are 20 quotes that explain the essence of "What you resist persists," with brief explanations for each.

1. “What you resist persists.” – Carl Jung
   Jung's original quote explains that resistance only strengthens the thing you're trying to avoid.
2. “The more you deny the truth, the stronger it becomes.” – Unknown
   Denial gives power to the truth you’re trying to escape.
3. “What we resist most in others is often what we fear most in ourselves.” – Unknown
   We tend to resist traits in others that we haven’t fully accepted in ourselves.
4. “When you let go of control, you gain control.” – Alan Watts
   Letting go of resistance allows for more peace and clarity in life.
5. “Surrender is the key to unlocking peace.” – Eckhart Tolle
   By surrendering, you stop resisting and start accepting, leading to inner peace.
6. “Whatever you fight, you strengthen, and what you resist persists.” – Eckhart Tolle
   Fighting against something only gives it more power over you.
7. “Acceptance is the key to happiness.” – Dalai Lama
   When you accept life as it is, rather than resist it, you create space for happiness.
8. “Feelings are meant to be felt, not resisted.” – Unknown
   Resisting emotions prevents you from truly experiencing them.
9. “Stop fighting the storm and let it pass.” – Unknown
   Storms in life pass quicker when you stop resisting and start accepting.
10. “Resistance to change is the first step toward suffering.” – Tony Robbins
    Resisting life’s natural changes only leads to pain and frustration.
11. “You empower the thing you try to avoid.” – Unknown
    Avoiding something gives it more power over your life.
12. “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.” – Haruki Murakami
    Resistance to pain is what causes suffering, not the pain itself.
13. “Let go of what was and embrace what is.” – Unknown
    Letting go of resistance allows you to live more fully in the present.
14. “The energy it takes to resist is the energy you could use to heal.” – Unknown
    The effort spent resisting could be better spent on healing and moving forward.
15. “You can’t resist the waves, but you can learn to surf.” – Unknown
    Life's challenges are like waves; learning to navigate them rather than resist them is key.
16. “Surrender doesn’t mean defeat. It means freedom.” – Unknown
    Surrendering to what is, instead of resisting, leads to true freedom.
17. “When you stop resisting, the magic begins.” – Unknown
    Letting go of resistance allows for growth and transformation.
18. “Resistance is futile.” – The Borg, Star Trek
    This famous sci-fi quote humorously reflects the inevitable power of life’s circumstances.
19. “Go with the flow, or get dragged.” – Zen Proverb
    Life is easier when you stop resisting its natural current.
20. “The only way out is through.” – Robert Frost
    The more you resist a challenge, the longer it takes to overcome it. The key is to move through it.

5 Real-Life Examples of "What You Resist Persists"

• Relationship Problems:

• Avoiding uncomfortable conversations with a partner only leads to bigger issues down the road.

• Health Issues:

• Ignoring symptoms of illness often leads to more severe health problems over time.

• Work Stress:

• Constantly resisting burnout without addressing it can result in complete exhaustion or even career changes.

• Fear of Failure:

• Resisting the fear of failing at something new often prevents people from even trying, which guarantees failure by default.

• Negative Emotions:

• Resisting feelings like anger or sadness makes them fester, eventually exploding in unhealthy ways.

Conclusion:

The idea that "What you resist persists" reminds us that the more we try to avoid or push away the uncomfortable parts of life, the more they demand our attention. By embracing our emotions, circumstances, and even our fears, we can free ourselves from the grip of resistance and move toward a more peaceful, fulfilling life. Next time you catch yourself resisting something, take a breath, acknowledge it, and remember that sometimes, the only way out is through.