There are a lot of discussions about men and masculinity online today. Sometimes, masculinity can even get a bad rap. But we can all learn something from traditional masculinity and the men who use it in a positive way. Here, we will talk about the cultural ideal rather than a reality.
Taking risks
One of the first laudable qualities here is taking risks. Being bold can bring a person many different rewards and offers a lot of possibility. In daily life, we are often cautioned to be careful, and it can be important at times. But we also need to try new things in our lives, business, and more.
Risks should not be taken blindly, just for the sake of doing it. However, we should not avoid risky ideas either. Often, they are the ones most worth taking and can take you to new heights.
Don’t sweat the small things
Worrying about details can sometimes be useful, but often it will create a lot of stress and tension that can be easily avoided. You might remember to focus on the bigger picture and let everything that is a inconsequential go. Who cares if something is the wrong color or if an event did not go exactly as planned? What matters is that things got resolved and worked out in the end.
This is a useful idea for anyone who is too centered on details and who is stressed out. Many little things will get out of hand because that is how life works, and there is no problem with that.
Healthy body image
Another important trait of many men is that they are very confident. They don’t worry about the way they look, and instead just focus on comfort and practicality. This is very important because it is an attitude that allows you to accept your body with all its imperfections.
You might not have a body that perfectly fits the beauty standards of society, and it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t have to make you unhappy, and you can still feel confidence in the way you look. Allow yourself to like the way you are and what you like to wear, no matter what others say.
Ask for what you want without apologies
Often, we don’t ask for what we want directly. Instead, we dance around the issue or even try to hide that we want something. But men can often just say what they want, without apologizing for having desires and needs.
This skill allows us to often just get what we want. Instead of waiting for things to be offered to you, ask for what you want and see what others will say. You should not ask always expecting a yes or act entitled to it, but there is usually little harm in just trying out. The benefits by far outweigh the problems. Being direct can allow you to get more things that you want and build an honest communication with the people around you.
Be responsible
One of the key traits of traditional masculinity is taking responsibility. You get a lot of freedom, however, this freedom must be taken with the responsibility it entails. Others will not make decisions for you or push you to do things you don’t want. But when you make choices for yourself, you have to assume the consequences as well as the benefits.
Responsibility involves having control of your life. You don’t get to blame others if something goes wrong. However, it provides you the freedom that is essential for each of us to become true adults and fulfilled human beings.
There are many valuable traits associated with being a man. These are traits that in the modern world can benefit a person of any gender, because they have a lot of benefits. They allow us to achieve our goals, improve our communication, and feel more autonomous and confident in the day-to-day.
Men are often taught to trust in themselves and take responsibility for their own lives. This is very valuable, because if it is missing from our lives, we might struggle to feel like we are the ones driving. One important element of masculinity is that it empowers the person to make their own decisions.