U โGUYSโMATTER
Iโve always had my doubts upon pursuing this campaign which started without my full agreement coming from a man who also belong to individuals who are not comfortable in showing emotional vulnerability in public. As a student I am very much a fan of stoicism and masculinity where crying or showing emotions merely seem like a show of vulnerability for me and it pains me to say it, but there are plenty of men who view this kind of emotional expression as weakness.
Many men find it difficult to share their feelings, especially with other men, due to societal expectations that dictate men should not reveal vulnerability. The pressure to conform to the stereotype of being tough and unemotional makes men fear judgment from peers, potential partners, and society at large. This fear often leads some men to mock or belittle others when emotions are expressed. But when my idolized clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson talked about this and even shed a tear showing his emotion on live television on the Piers Morgan show it hit me when he said โHow many people are dying for lack of encouraging word, and how easy it is to provide that if youโre carefulโ As I heard that genuine words shaken by tears from my idol intellectual personality, it struck me. This campaign may not be specifically for me but I have realized the intensity and realness of these situations. Loneliness is real and deadly. We are used to seeing women blurt their emotions out in public which we are much urged to comfort and be by their side in their times of distress. But what about men? What about those who are still in shackles of fear and anxiety of being embarrassed by opening up their emotions? Do they have to wait and supress their tears till they get home in their room or manage to go somewhere private? And who will be there for them? There it had me concerned and slapped in my face on how selfish I am on not realizing this beforehand.
By this cause we started this campaign โYou Guys Matterโ in pursue of letting guys know that their feelings are just as valid as everyone elseโs, and that there is no need to hide it. We like to promote an environment which is healthy for men to cry and that they are not being judged of their gender, vulnerability, and sensitivity. We cry because it is a healthy release for all of us. It helps us to self-soothe, releases chemicals like oxytocin, endorphins and stress-relieving hormones. It is calming, mood-enhancing, pain-relieving and overall beneficial to our wellbeing. Crying is also considered to be attachment behaviour, encouraging bonds and supports from friends and family.
Crying is not a sign of weakness; it just proves that we're human. It tells others that we're more than just tougher than the Stoic masks we wear; we're complex and deep individuals. Moreover, it doesnโt make us any less of a man; it makes us more of one. We become warriors of emotion, unafraid to confront our fears, our sorrows, and our vulnerabilities.
So by this, I assure you that beyond all these social constructs that might cause you to hinder your emotion to the person next to you, your friends, colleagues, or family. I tell you that your feelings are valid and we care for you, just as being a stranger I care. How much more are those people that know you, your family, friends, colleagues, or that person next to you? Know that what you feel is valid, we value you because YOU GUYS MATTER.
Words by: Dave Emmanuel Omreso
โ๐๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ฎ๐ช๐ป๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ๐ด ๐ต๐ฐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด, ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ค๐ณ๐บ ๐ข๐ฏ๐บ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐น๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด.โ
โ๏ธ๐๐ฒ๐'๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ: men can be emotional too, and their mental health matters. It's okay for men to express their feelings and seek support. Break the stigma surrounding men's emotions and mental well-being.
๐๐ฃ๏ธEncourage open conversations and create a space where everyone's mental health is acknowledged and valued.
๐ค๐๐๐จ๐ฎ โ๐๐ฎ๐ฒ๐ฌโ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ: Embracing a world where โmasculinityโ isn't defined by your emotional โsensitivityโ. ๐ฉต๐ค
๐ฒ๏ธStay tuned and Follow us for more updates !!
#youGUYSMatter
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