Many people think that the hardest part of writing is finding the right word. However, the real
battle often begins before we even touch the keyboard. Excuses that we think are unique to us, such as “I’m
tired now”, “let me drink this tea first”, “I’m not inspired today”, are actually the manifestation of a collective
resistance. Steven Pressfield calls this inner barrier “Resistance”. It may seem small
but it is an insidious, silent but powerful enemy.
Resistance comes before inspiration. It is even like the leash of a dog chasing inspiration. If we don’t sit
at the table, creation won’t come. And it won’t. Because creation is the
child of discipline, not comfort. In Pressfield’s words: “The amateur writes when inspired. The professional sits
every day, inspired or not.”
It may sound cold, but there is actually something comforting about it: This inner resistance
is not abnormal. All creators recognize the same enemy. It doesn’t matter if you are an illustrator, composer, director, copywriter
. Everyone wants to wash the dishes before producing anything. Maybe that’s why
most of us never “really” start.
So what is the solution? According to Pressfield, the solution is to sit at the table with holy seriousness. To see writing
as “work”. To professionalize production without romanticizing inspiration. In other words, to treat the act of writing
as a responsibility, not as a spiritual therapy. If writing is an inner
mountaineering, the first climb starts with putting on the shoes.
While writing this article, I thought about my own excuses.
excuses that are not unique and unique to me… “Let me clean up first, then I will write” or “I will write
when I have a better idea…” Each of these is resistance.
And yes, sometimes resistance is a disguise.
It delays creation by distracting us with other tasks that seem to make sense. But every
day we procrastinate, we bury another untold story in the ground.
That’s why I believe there is only one thing
to do instead of waiting for the muse: Sit at the table.
Maybe I will write a single line, maybe five pages. Maybe nothing will come out. But I sit at the table
and I’ve already won half the battle.
That’s my advice to you: sit at that table.

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