"The truth is, many men become experts at hiding their misery. We're taught from a young age that showing vulnerability equals weakness. So we bury it deep, put on the mask, and soldier on. After years of studying psychology and working with thousands of men through my writing, I've noticed patterns that reveal when someone's struggling beneath the surface."
"Friends would share exciting updates about their lives, and I'd force enthusiasm while feeling absolutely nothing inside. It wasn't depression exactly. It was like someone had turned down the volume on all my emotions. This emotional numbness is incredibly common among men who are struggling. They disconnect from their feelings as a survival mechanism. Joy, sadness, anger, excitement - it all gets dialed down to a manageable gray."
Many men conceal deep unhappiness behind outward success and routine by suppressing emotions and avoiding vulnerability. Social conditioning teaches that showing vulnerability equals weakness, so men often mask their misery and continue functioning. Hidden struggles can show as emotional numbness, diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities, and muted reactions to significant events. Emotional disconnection acts as a survival mechanism, dialing down joy, sadness, anger, and excitement into a manageable gray. These changes can become normalized, leading men to believe this blunted state is simply adult life. Subtle behavioral shifts—like abandoning hobbies or losing enthusiasm—serve as indicators of underlying distress.
Read at Silicon Canals
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