Unable to shift into 1st or 2nd gear

I'm only just staring to educate myself on cars, but it seems it's too late - my car has broken down, and I'm not sure what the problem is.

My car seemed fine, then suddenly, in about 5 minutes, the gears became extremely stiff and hard to shift. I noticed backing up that it was hard to get into reverse; I released the clutch and tried again, and on the second try was able to get into gear. I only got a few blocks before I hit a light, and was unable to get the car back into first gear. I was able to shift into reverse to get the car off the road, but it would not go back into 1st or 2nd gears.

Welcome to AF!!

If the gears get very stiff there is a good possiblity that your gearbox is low on grease or fluid which ever it uses or it has the wrong type of grease. I would check the level and see if it is correct. For one to get that stiff is quite unusual especially after it has opportunity to warm up.

The hydraulic clutch needs to be bled. Check the brake fluid reservoir. It may be low on fluid. The clutch uses it too. When it gets really cold sometimes the clutch will start bypassing. No sure why. Have had it happen. Get that air out of the clutch system and it will be fine.