Have you ever attempted to repair, build, or work with an object and it feels as if it’s fighting you every step of the way? I have, lots. My Dad likes to tell a story about pulling into the driveway one day and a wrench came flying down it. I was working on my motorcycle at the time and it was fighting me, the hurled wrench was my way of dealing with it. Patience has never been one of my stronger traits.

Anyway, this weekend I discovered there’s a clever little theory that defines those times when objects are against me.  It’s called Resistentialism. The theory is a spoof of existentialism and its slogan is “Les choses sont contre nous“  which translates as “Things are against us”. I’ve struggled with it my whole life and I never knew it had a name.

I’m happy to say that I’m getting better at recognizing when things are exhibiting resistentialism and I suspect I’ll get even better at noticing it now that I know its name . These days I tend to step away when an object is fighting me until I cool down but I’m not above throwing a wrench or using a persuader (aka hammer) if I’m losing badly enough. Small steps, small steps…

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