Men Feel Everything, We Just Were Not Taught What to Do With It

Maybe you opened up to somebody and had your emotions used against you. Maybe you tried to explain what you were feeling and felt dismissed, misunderstood, or exposed. Eventually, it can become easier to decide not to talk about any of it. But that does not mean the feelings disappear. In this episode of The Men’s Mental Health Series, I talk about emotional awareness and why I think it is such an important skill for men to develop and practice. Emotional awareness starts with being able to identify what you are actually feeling. Not just angry. Not just upset. Not just happy. We are more complex than that. Sometimes there are multiple emotions happening at once. Sometimes one feeling is dominating everything while something else is sitting underneath it. Being able to recognize that can also create something incredibly valuable. A pause. That little bit of space between what you feel and how you react. How many times have you reacted to something and almost immediately thought, I wish I had handled that differently? With practice, you can start noticing what is happening internally before automatically reacting to it. And I think another important part of this conversation is emotional safety. What does it feel like to be around someone where you can actually relax? Where you can loosen up a little? Where you can talk about what you are feeling without immediately worrying about how it is going to be used against you? Not everybody deserves access to that part of you. But there should be people in your life where you can have those conversations. And those conversations start with being able to have them with yourself. That is where journaling can help. You do not have to write pages. Start with a couple of thoughts. What does emotional awareness mean to you? How comfortable are you identifying what you feel? And how easy or difficult is it for you to talk about those feelings with the people you trust? This takes practice. But the more you understand what is happening inside you, the more choice you have in how you respond and how you communicate with the people around you. Mental Health Support If you are in the United States and are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the United States, you can find crisis and emotional support resources in your country at findahelpline.com. Disclaimer: The Men’s Mental Health Series shares personal experiences, conversations, and general information related to mental and emotional health. I am not a licensed mental health professional, and this podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, treatment, or emergency services. If you are struggling, please consider reaching out to a qualified mental health professional or an appropriate crisis resource in your area.