Lee Davy
Lee Davy
You Don’t Lack Willpower—You Lack Permission
You Don’t Lack Willpower—You Lack Permission
You Don’t Lack Willpower—You Lack Permission
Wednesday 2nd July 2025
Explore how giving yourself permission can be more powerful than willpower in overcoming addiction in this engaging podcast episode.
14 minutes
Informative
Inspiring
Supportive
Hopeful
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Lee Davy
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Creative Recovery Journeys
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
209 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Permission Over Willpower: The Key to Breaking Free
Episode Overview
- Willpower is not the key to overcoming addiction; self-permission is.
- Resistance acts as a protective mechanism, not an adversary.
- Understanding outcome and process resistance can aid recovery.
- Self-led decisions bring clarity and freedom from cravings.
- Engaging with resistance helps uncover its roots and reduce its power.
"Resistance isn't the problem. Fighting resistance is."
In the 1000 Days Sober Podcast episode titled "You Don’t Lack Willpower—You Lack Permission", Lee Davy dives into the concept of resistance and how it affects our ability to quit addictions like smoking and drinking. Lee shares a compelling story from his own life, recounting the moment he quit smoking without cravings, not because he tried harder, but because he gave himself permission to change. It's not about willpower, he argues, but about understanding the internal battles we face.
Lee reflects on his time working on the railways, where he would often declare his intention to quit smoking only to find himself begging for a cigarette hours later. It wasn't until his wife announced her pregnancy that he truly quit smoking, guided by a sense of self that didn't shame or bargain, but simply decided not to expose his child to cigarette smoke. This episode challenges the common belief that willpower is the key to overcoming addiction.
Instead, Lee explains that resistance is the real enemy, and fighting it only strengthens its hold. By understanding resistance as a protective mechanism rather than an adversary, individuals can find freedom from their addictions. Lee also introduces the concept of outcome and process resistance, explaining how fear of change and fear of the effort required to change can hold us back.
Through anecdotes and relatable examples, he encourages listeners to engage with their resistance, understand its roots, and ultimately give themselves permission to lead a self-directed life. If you're curious about why you might be stuck in your journey to sobriety or moderation, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of self-permission over sheer willpower. It's a thought-provoking discussion that might just change how you view your own struggles with addiction.