The War on Art: My Reflection on Resistance and the Creative Battle
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
“The humanist believes that humankind, as individuals, is called upon to co-create the world with God.” – Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
I just finished reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and let me tell you it was a slap in the face in the best way possible. This book, written from the perspective of a professional creative, lays out the stark reality of what it takes to overcome the invisible force that keeps most people from doing their work: Resistance.
For me, this book hit especially hard when I realized Resistance wasn’t stopping me from singing or practicing piano. Those are already ingrained in my daily life—non-negotiables, things I’ve programmed into my routine. Writing, though? That was another story. Not because I didn’t want to, but because starting was the struggle.
The Resistance We Face
Pressfield defines Resistance as that internal force that keeps us from doing the work we’re called to do. It shows up as procrastination, self-doubt, distractions, and even self-sabotage. And it never goes away. If anything, it gets stronger the closer we get to something important.
“Resistance defeats us. If tomorrow morning by some stroke of magic every dazed and benighted soul woke up with the power to take the first step toward pursuing his or her dreams, every shrink in the directory would be out of business. Prisons would stand empty. The alcohol and tobacco industries would collapse, along with the junk food, cosmetic surgery, and infotainment businesses.” – The War of Art
This passage in particular stood out to me. It made me wonder: What if we actually showed up for ourselves every day? What if we consistently fought through Resistance instead of letting it win?
Showing Up Like a Professional
One of the biggest takeaways from the book is the difference between an amateur and a professional. An amateur is overly identified with their craft, they fear failure, hesitate to start, and get stuck in the highs and lows of the creative process. The professional, on the other hand, treats their work like a job.
“We do not over identify with our jobs. We may take pride in our work, we may stay late and come in on weekends, but we recognize that we are not our job descriptions. The amateur, on the other hand, over-identifies with his avocation, his artistic aspiration. He defines himself by it.” – The War of Art
This is the mindset shift I needed. Resistance wants us to treat creativity as something light, easy, and fun—but the reality is that showing up every day, no matter what, is what separates those who succeed from those who don’t.
What I’m Taking Away
- Action beats inaction, every time. The best war tactic against Resistance is to move. Do the work. Start. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done.
- Resistance is confirmation. If I’m struggling to begin, that probably means I’m moving in the right direction.
- Creativity is work. The only difference between this and a traditional job is that I happen to love what I do.
So now, I ask myself daily: “What work are you willing to struggle with every day, D?” That’s where the real battle is won.
Final Thoughts & Why You Should Read This Book
If you’re someone who has ever struggled to sit down and do the work whether that’s writing, creating, building, or even starting a new habit—this book is a must-read. Pressfield lays it out plainly: Resistance is real, and it’s relentless. But if we treat our craft like professionals, we can overcome it.
This is one of those books that I’ll be returning to again and again. If Resistance is a daily occurrence, then the lessons in The War of Art should be as well.
Read The War of Art: Buy Here
Learn More About Steven Pressfield: Visit His Website
This reflection is just the beginning. What’s the work you’re willing to struggle for every day? Let’s talk about it.
