The Anxiety of Manhood Comes Up Again and Again in Life

I can recall in my own life moments of feeling this deep fear at not being man enough. Feeling that I wasn’t going to make it in the field of combat, which was everyday life. This anxiety of manhood appeared a few times in life. It came up while playing football in high school and later in the technology world in Seattle. During those times, there was this sense that I didn’t have what it took.

Being a man is constantly about feeling this deep anxiety of manhood. About not being capable of making it in the world. The hard part about this is that we also don’t allow ourselves to get help from the people in our lives.

The work of becoming a 21st Century Man is to step into the discomfort of the anxiety of manhood. It is to reach out for support when we are going through a lot. It is to step into our vulnerability and admit that we are scared.  All around our lives are partners, friends, colleagues, family members and others who want to be there for us. Our work is to learn how to do this.

You can break through the anxiety.

With support and daily positive self-talk (along with healthy exercise and diet), you can feel the anxiety, but not let it take you over. The anxiety of manhood will always be there because you are going to experience difficult times that will ask you to stretch yourself. But, by knowing yourself and taking care of yourself, you can coast through the anxiety in a much healthier way. If you need support, contact me.