Men's Emotional Suppression
- Men are often not incentivized to be emotionally open due to fear of ridicule or relationship breakdown.
- They are rewarded for appearing emotionally intelligent by holding their emotions together, even if it's through unhealthy suppression.
- This suppression can manifest as emotional mastery, but the underlying process is often detrimental to their wellbeing.
- Outwardly, it's difficult to distinguish between someone who has genuinely processed their emotions and someone who is merely suppressing them.
- This creates a confusing landscape for men navigating emotional expression.
Witnessing Grief
- Express grief with loved ones, therapists, or counselors who can support you.
- Recognize that grief honors what love misses and is a natural part of life.
- Avoid deferring grief, as it can lead to depression.
- Express your grief openly by acknowledging what you're grieving.
- Having someone witness and reflect your grief is important.
Expressing vs. Explaining
- To connect emotionally, express, don't explain.
- Ask yourself if you're truly sharing your feelings about a situation or simply recounting the events.
- Explaining lacks emotional depth, keeping your body uninvolved.
- Expressing engages your body, allowing you to feel joy, nervousness, or any other emotion.
- Expressing creates emotional connection with your audience.