This one is for my guys out there. It’s time we talk about something that too often gets buried beneath expectations, stereotypes, and the noise of what society demands from us as men. Here’s the truth: it’s OK to have feelings. It’s OK to cry. It’s OK to feel weak. And it’s absolutely OK to not have all the answers.

Think about it—when the world is constantly yelling at us to be tough and keep our emotions in check, where is that really coming from? Often, it’s not the voices of genuinely strong men but those of insecure individuals trying to reinforce an outdated ideal. The question is: who benefits from this? Who gains when you refuse to show your emotions? More importantly, what is this suppression doing to you and those around you?

Burying your sadness, isolating yourself, and pretending everything is fine may seem like a solution, but in reality, it does nothing positive. Ignoring emotions doesn’t make them disappear; it only makes them fester, creating deeper struggles that affect not only you but those close to you.

Here’s the shift we need: by confronting your sadness, grief, and normal human emotions, you create space for real healing and progress. Acknowledging these feelings isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s the first step toward doing the real work of self-improvement and growth. Pretending your emotions don’t exist or suppressing them for the sake of appearing “strong” only perpetuates a cycle of harm. So, who does that help? No one. And who does it hurt? You and everyone around you.

True manhood isn’t about denying what’s within—it’s about owning it. Real strength is having the courage to say, “I’m struggling right now,” without letting the fear of judgment from others hold you back. The irony is, we often worry about being seen as weak when in fact, it’s the refusal to acknowledge our humanity that reveals true vulnerability. When someone tells you to “be a man,” I challenge you to redefine what that means. A real man is forthright and transparent, knowing that strength lies in admitting when they’re not okay.

Embracing your emotions doesn’t make you less of a man; it makes you more of one. It sets an example and proves that strength is about standing in your truth, not running from it. So, the next time you feel the world’s pressure to put up a stoic front, remember this: the strongest men are those who acknowledge they have emotions and let that acknowledgment drive their growth. That’s what real strength is, and that’s what being a man truly means.