#05 Inner resistance

Exploring your inner resistance to step into your true self

Many of us spend years hiding who we really are just to stay safe. On the fifth evening of our Spring 2026 Brussels men’s group, we set out to look at the inner resistance that shows up the moment we try to share our real selves with the world.

Seeing the gap between who we are and who we show

We started the night with a guided meditation to quiet the mind and move into the body. We invited the men to visualize two distinct images of themselves: First, their current self—the persona they present to the world every day. Secondly, their true self - the deeper, authentic man living just behind that public face.

After the guided meditation, every man drew his current self on one sheet and his true self on another.

Making those two inner realities visible on paper was a grounding start. It helped everyone see the exact gap between how they show up today and how they genuinely want to express themselves.

Crossing the threshold against physical resistance

To bring this internal struggle to life, we moved into a physical exercise in pairs.

We taped a line down the middle of the room to mark the threshold between the safety of the inner world and the outer world where the true self needs to be seen. Person B placed his "current self" drawing on one side, while Person A stood on the other side holding Person B's "true self" drawing.

For three minutes, Person A physically resisted Person B, blocking him from crossing the threshold to claim his true self.

The room filled with an intense, raw dynamic: For some men, the resistance was strong and unyielding—a rigid wall holding them back. For others, it was more playful or gentle, reflecting how resistance subtly pulls us back into comfort.

Physically fighting to cross that line made us feel what overthinking usually hides. Our resistance isn't just an annoying habit; it is a protective shield designed to keep us safe from judgment, shame, or rejection.

Learning to flow with our armor

After shaking off the physical energy with music, we gathered in small groups to draw our resistance on a final sheet of paper and debrief the experience.

We looked at what our resistance is really trying to protect. It’s often our deep fear of being hurt or vulnerable. We also noticed how resistance shows up in daily life, whether through tension, control, or pulling away when things get uncomfortable.

Trying to aggressively force our way through resistance often just creates more tension. The real breakthrough comes from becoming aware of it in the body, recognizing that it is only trying to keep us safe, and choosing to take the leap anyway.

A takeaway for your own week

If you are currently holding back from showing up fully in your life, ask yourself:

• What is the resistance inside you trying to protect you from right now?

• When you feel that tightness or urge to pull back this week, what is one small step you can take to move forward with your true self anyway?

Step into the next circle

Real growth doesn't happen in isolation. If you’re looking for a facilitated, secular men's group in Brussels or Antwerp to meet self-aware peers and do the real work of personal growth.