How to Overcome Writing Resistance, with Monica Hay

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Have you ever sat down to write only to suddenly need to do the dishes, scroll TikTok, or reorganize your bookshelf? You’re not alone! 

Writing resistance is real, and it can show up as procrastination, perfectionism, self-doubt, or just an overwhelming sense of stuckness.

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I talk with Monica Hay, a writer, coach, and mentor who has spent years studying the brain science of writing resistance. She shares why resistance happens, how it’s completely normal, and—most importantly—how to work with your brain, not against it, to build a sustainable writing practice.

For many of us, writing was easy as kids. We wrote stories just for fun, without that nagging inner critic. But as we got older, perfectionism crept in. We started worrying about whether our writing was good enough, if we were real writers, or if our stories would ever get published.

Monica shares that resistance isn’t about laziness or lack of talent—it’s just how our brains are wired. It all comes down to a battle between:

🧠 The Prefrontal Cortex – The part of the brain that wants to write and accomplish long-term goals.
⚡ The Amygdala – The “dramatic little biatch” (as Monica calls it!) that constantly scans for danger and tries to conserve energy.

So, if resistance is always going to show up, how do we move past it? Monica shares practical, brain-friendly strategies that make writing easier and more enjoyable.