Sacred Self Expression: Resistance vs Misalignment, How Do We Know the Difference?

If, like me, you’ve ever felt uncertain of knowing the difference between Resistance (fear) and Misalignment (ego) – this is for you!

Resistance is a sign of discomfort that challenges us to grow.

Misalignment signals that something isn’t right for us.

Understanding this difference is key to making decisions that honour our energy and lead to deep fulfilment at a soul level. There are many ways we can practice tuning into this while learning to trust our intuition or ‘inner knowing’—which can also feel different for each of us.

1. Notice Your Body’s Signals

Resistance typically feels like nervousness, tension, or butterflies, but it often comes with a spark of excitement or potential. It’s the discomfort that comes with stepping into unknown territory (or the ‘magic zone’ as I like to call it!)

When we remember fear and excitement are just opposing ends of the same stick, we can tune into that and use it as a sliding scale. Ask the question: “Am I simply sitting on the fear end of this stick? Could it actually be excitement that I’m feeling?”

Misalignment, on the other hand, feels heavy, draining, or constrictive. Our bodies tend to feel lethargic, tight, or repelled by the idea. Sometimes, our mind tells us we ‘should’ want the thing, or we might feel pressure from a loved one. When we take that out of the equation, clarity comes.

2. Explore the Fear

Resistance can arrive with fears of failure, being seen, or stepping out of our comfort zone. It points to an opportunity for expansion. Here’s a good question to ask: “Is this uncomfortable because it feels stretchy?” If the answer is yes, that’s a great sign!

Misalignment is often tied to fears of obligation, burnout, or resentment. It signals a misstep that we’re being pulled away from our truth. This is often the case for people who are used to putting others’ needs before their own, saying yes to things they really ought to say no to and doing things because they can, not because they want to.

3. Visualise the Outcome

Tune in for a moment and imagine the outcome. If it feels scary but also expansive, exciting, or meaningful, we’re likely just experiencing resistance. Ask: “If I didn’t feel scared, would I want this?”

On the contrary, if it feels uninspiring, exhausting, or like a waste of time and energy – it’s clearly not in alignment. It might make a lot of logical sense (this often happens if it’s something that makes us money, appears to be a ‘dream opportunity’ or would make a loved one really happy.) Yet if we say yes to the things that are misaligned for us, we leave no space for the aligned opportunities – aka the magic!

If uncertainty prevails, we can always take a small step and observe. Notice how it feels to move towards it. Am I being pulled by the energy or pushed by an external force? Resistance, or fear, usually dissipates after taking action. It can feel way more terrifying in our minds than the reality is. Once we gather some momentum, we feel lighter and have more clarity to move forward.

When something isn’t right for us, it tends to feel more forced and energy-depleting with every step we take. It feels opposite to the natural flow of where the Universe really wants to take us.

Ultimately, practice is our BFF here. We need to be OK with trying things out while using the tools for discernment outlined above. Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back—just get in the arena and go for it!

Narelle Clyde, Our Expert

Narelle Clyde is a Spiritual Mentor, Retreat Facilitator and #1 Bestselling Author with a passion for guiding others around the globe back to their most authentic self. Since a young age, Narelle has channelled a neo-ancient energetic healing modality that speaks directly to the soul, deeply activating the light within.