When You Know What’s Good for You But Can’t Make Yourself Do It: A Guide to Moving Past Emotional Resistance and Building Self-Trust

Many of my clients—accomplished professionals who’ve spent decades showing up for others—tell me they want to move more, eat well, or follow a consistent sleep schedule.

They know what to do. But somehow, even with the best intentions, it’s hard to follow through.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The gap between knowing and doing isn’t a lack of discipline — it’s often your body and emotions trying to communicate something deeper.

Those moments of emotional resistance or fatigue are not flaws to fix. They’re signals — invitations to listen, not push harder.

Step One: Recognize Emotional Resistance as a Signal

Your mind’s instinct to talk you out of change is normal. It’s not personal — it’s your nervous system’s way of conserving energy and staying with what’s familiar, even when “familiar” is no longer serving you.

But if you pause long enough to listen, that resistance often carries information:

• Maybe your body is asking for softer structure, not stricter rules.
  

• Maybe an old belief about “not doing enough” is being triggered.
  

• Maybe you just need to slow down enough to feel safe moving forward.
  

Resistance softens when you start to view it as a message, not a problem. 

Step Two: How Naming Your Inner Voice Creates Space

Give that voice a name. Maybe it’s The Excuse Maker. The Comfort Voice.  Mr. Resistance always has a reason to stay on the couch and drink coffee in your jammies instead of putting shoes on and going for a walk.

When you name the voice, you separate yourself from it. You stop listening to the noise and reconnect with your inner compass — the calm, steady part of you that knows when something feels right.

Step Three: Move Through Emotional Resistance With Compassion to Strengthen Self-Trust

When you notice the resistance (“Ah, there’s Mr. Excuses again”), take a slow breath. Don’t argue, analyze or judge. Just notice.

Then, ask your body:

“What do I actually need right now?”

That simple question brings you back into partnership with yourself.

For a deeper dive into listening to your body and noticing what it needs, see my post on Trust Your Body, Heal Yourself.

Each time you move through emotional resistance — gently, without force — you strengthen self-trust. You teach your nervous system that change is safe, and that you can do things that truly support you. 

Give Yourself Grace During Change

Self-care isn’t about control. It’s about connection.

Each moment you choose to listen you deepen your relationship with your inner wisdom. Its voice gets louder and chips away at resistance.

Reflect: What Is Your Inner Voice Telling You?

If this speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you. Hit reply and tell me what your “inner voice” has been saying lately.