5 Voices of Resistance aka Pre-Trip Noise—and 5 Antidotes

by Liz Jansen

voices of resistanceIn a few days, Trudy (my motorcycle) and I will be on our way across the continent. You’d think with the hundreds of thousands of miles I’ve ridden, departures would be easier.

It is an exciting time. At least now I recognize the voices of resistance that appear leading up to each extended trip are transient. They’re like a reliable friend, trying to help, and visiting like clockwork every time. Knowing what to expect on the road—anything—helps manage the chatter.

5 Voices of Resistance

My mind pummels me in an effort to keep me “safe and secure,” with thoughts like:

  1. Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in Ontario. Why do you need to go anywhere else? Stay here and enjoy it.
  2. How are you going to get all your work done if you’re spending most of your time on your motorcycle? Isn’t that frivolous?
  3. Riding is physically exhausting. How do you expect to keep up the pace of work and travel, especially while camping?
  4. Where will you stay? You don’t even know your route! You’ll be lonely.
  5. What about your mother? Your weekly visits make a difference to her, even if she can’t express it.

Those voices, in whatever form or wording they use (this is only a partial list), present as an ally. Really, they’re trying to preserve the status quo, threatened by change. But adapting to new settings, meeting new people, and stretching our comfort zone, helps us grow and enriches our lives.

5 Antidotes

I’ve listened, and taken note.

  1. I live in a beautiful part of the country, but it’s a huge earth full of beauty and majesty. Why impose limits on myself when there’s so much to see?
  2. I don’t need to be on a motorcycle to be frivolous with my time. Being out on the road sparks my creativity, leads to amazing insights, and nourishes my soul. It melds physicality with spirituality. The gifts of the road make me more effective in what I’m here to do.
  3. I’ve left plenty of time to balance travel and stillness. In spite of that, I’ll still think I can get more done than there’s time for. I’ll need to remind myself I’m the co-creator, not the Creator. (See 5 Ways to Stay Grounded When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed)
  4. I’m not the only person on the roads. There are tons of very nice campgrounds, hotels, and a few friends I can’t wait spend time with again. Times can get lonely, but they’re fleeting. What’s more likely, is my heart aches for loved ones to experience the same joy that fills my days. Over planning is stifling. Leaving room for the inevitable serendipity of the road is magical. The route overview on the map is a guideline and helps me maintain perspective. It connects a few places I want to visit. In between is variable.
  5. This one’s hard. Mom lives in a wonderful long-term care facility and is well taken care of. I cherish what little time I spend with her and will see her the day before I leave. Other siblings visit regularly, and I know, without question, if she could, she’d tell me to go. That’s how she’s lived her life.

It’s constructive and helpful to take note of resistance to change, in whatever form it shows up in your life. There may be something you haven’t thought of that you need to address before you can move forward.

When I pull out of the driveway, it will be with the sense of wonder, awe, and curiosity—and gratitude—I try to embody every day, no matter what I’m doing, taking in the grandeur of the present moment while wondering what’s around the next bend.


Photo credit: Brandon HM Oh on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND

About

Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.

4 Comments on “5 Voices of Resistance aka Pre-Trip Noise—and 5 Antidotes

  1. As always Liz, an article/reflection that touches many readers, on or off motorcycles. Change, no matter whether excitedly anticipated or not is something our subconscious will always try to protect us from, even though the potential for a better situation is the anticipated outcome. Living vicariously through your journey, we have an opportunity understand ourselves better and learn to quiet or answer those subconscious voices that insist on being heard. Safe travels my friend. I look forward to seeing the roadsides and people you meet through your eyes and pondering your musings and reflections as you journey on.

    • Thanks for your thoughts Barbara. You’re right – those voices will never be quiet, but we can learn to allay them so we can move on. Am looking forward to a wonderful trip and will be sharing my experiences throughout. Take care.

  2. Have a wonderful trip. Your mother would be so happy for you if she could comprehend your adventure. I do wonder why these little niggling voices arise. Every period of time I ever spent fasting and praying in the wilderness alone (the last one was 22 days in the wilderness of northern Ontario) brought new joys and insights. And every single time the nattering voice arose as I went out- “What ever happened to learning through what is easy? This is too hard?” on and on. And each time I replied, “Yeah, I know but I’m here now, so let’s see what happens. 🙂

    • Easy puts you to sleep and causes rust. But they’re always trying new angles! I love your comeback Oriah. Let’s see what happens.