Do You Feel Like It's Hard To Be A Young Man Today?

Big question here, I know. I love big questions though because they get you thinking. I know if I'm thinking it, you're thinking it. You probably just didn't know whether or not it was acceptable to say out loud. I know exactly how you feel. It's a battle young men face today. I saw it when I was in College and I see it now in my professional life. Let me tell you something, it's okay to say out loud. It needs to be said.

You have interactions everyday, every week, and every year. You see things on social media, in the classroom, at work, and in the news. You start thinking to yourself "Am I going crazy here? What is going on? Am I missing something?". You are not missing something, the world around you is just going a little bazookas right now. I've run the same things through my head.

I've been looked at like I have 10 heads because I like to play a few games of MLB the Show on XBOX. I get the judging look when any ounce of competitiveness from playing sports comes out. I've been criticized for being overly masculine because I go to the gym on a regular basis and like to eat a lean piece of meat on my Big Green Egg charcoal grill. Then, on the other token I have had comments made at me when I am in a cafe because I am the only straight white male in there eating an acai bowl and drinking a chai latte through a paper straw. I can barely walk through my local food cooperative anymore without feeling watched. What's wrong with a guy just wanting a fresh piece of wild caught salmon? It is unhealthy for young men to feel like they are the issue. I can promise you, you are not. I know it's not talked about in the public. That's why I am talking about it here. And I am speaking for ALL young men. Not just straight white men like me.

I encourage you to be you. It's okay to express your masculinity. Don't let people and this crazy world confuse you. You don't have to be The Liver King (plus he was a fraud so definitely don't be him). Masculinity is not a negative thing. It is seen as negative today because we have leaders that think they are masculine when they really aren't. That's what you call false masculinity. You don't want to follow those people. Also, don't follow the people that tell you that you can't be masculine and have to lose your masculinity. That's just crazy talk. Just be you. Go hit a couple wiffle balls and eat a hot dog. Or join a book club because you always wanted to even though you're the captain of the football team and are comfortable expressing your true self. That's the whole point, just be yourself. Don't let others tell you who you are. And don't be a jerk. Be a role model. Be a true leader. Find those close friends and individuals that you can be open with and express yourself. Then, build up from there. Have fun. Get after it. I believe in you.

Be Well, Stay Young.