5-speed Manual transmission difficult to switch between gears

What is your question?

When the car is running, I can't get the car to go into 1st gear and it's difficult to switch to 2nd gear. If the car is shut off, I can start it from 1st gear, but struggle to move it into 2nd. 3rd gear doesn't seem to be a problem. Reverse is very difficult as well when the car is running. By difficult, I mean, it is physically difficult for me to move the shifter into that gear and I am afraid of using too much force on it and breaking something. I am already aware of a bit of an oil leak and need to replace the valve seal.

How long has your 1994 Geo Prizm had this problem?

A week