The idea of a real man as a stout and an unemotional figure is older than the radio. Our society has created a specific image of a man: this man is someone who puts far more effort into being a man in the first place.
Constant exposure to advertising and popular culture leads men to believe they have to achieve more and chase unachievable ideals. Fortunately, this damaging image is something that can be fixed.
Here’s what you can do to feel more comfortable in your skin.
Embrace that you are the change you seek
It may sound cheap, but it all comes down to your mindset. Let’s put aside the sea of online gurus and their “helpful advice”, nothing will change unless you are willing to step up to it.
You have to be willing to be more comfortable in your skin. Coming to this decision doesn’t mean that you are going to feel more comfortable tomorrow morning. It means that you are going to give it a try and ease up into your skin over time.
Most of all, you have to adopt a different approach to how you experience life. You have to look deep within and find what’s making you uncomfortable.
Then, it’s time to start living your own life and to drop things that are bringing you down.
Find your vibe
Let’s be real. There’s no need to keep doing what makes you feel bad about yourself. Listen to your inner voice. There are a ton of things and people you don’t need in your life.
You don’t need the approval of others, and you don’t need to impress anyone. Also, you don’t need people who constantly question you and make you worry about their opinion. Instead, find the people who make you feel accepted.
Yet, you should remember that no man is complete without the ability to spend time alone. Of course, you don’t need a cabin in the woods or a hermit’s hut. Just opt for a hobby, or adopt new habits that’ll make you feel more clean and complete.
Your body is your temple
Certainly, there’s nothing like keeping your body in shape. Contrary to popular belief, it’s a two-part process, and it consists of both exercise and grooming. Too many people focus on only one of these, to the exclusion of the other.
Exercise helps because it gives real-time feedback on your progress. You’ll look better the more you exercise, and you’ll be much healthier.
And, there’s more to exercise than dumbbells. Actually, exercising can be everyone’s cup of tea. Whether you love martial arts, gym, calisthenics, or even extreme sports, you’ll get results from each of them.
Grooming is a tad different. Aside from the usual haircut and shave combination, there are other ways to express your taste and personality. Of course, taking care of your hygiene and being clean is a must.
What’s left is to wrap it all up.
Clothes do make a man
The proverb says that “clothes make a man”, and it couldn’t be more true. But, don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you need to visit a Gucci store and buy a designer wardrobe.
On the contrary, it means that you should create a style that makes you feel awesome. Look for something that goes well with your physique, and look for colors that represent your personality. Go through the catalogs, and search online on websites like Pinterest.
Get yourself proper underwear. Sure, it sounds unusual, but wrong underwear may be an important part of why you’re feeling uncomfortable. Getting a proper men’s underwear like Tani and being comfy is one of the easiest ways to improve your sense of overall well-being.
Finally, this sounds easy. And yes, you are right, there’s a catch to all this.
Don’t stop
Becoming comfortable in your skin is a process. It requires constant maintenance.
The thing is, you can apply all these tips and feel instant gratification. However, becoming comfortable in your skin requires you to accept yourself and start behaving like this new person all the time.
The reason most men aren’t happy is because they don’t strive for happiness. Being comfortable or being happy isn’t something you just become. It’s something you keep working on.
In reality, that’s hard. Nobody can be at their absolute best at all times. So, feel free to spoil yourself a little.
Have a glass of scotch or a glass of wine here and there. Skipping an exercise day is also okay (just don’t skip the leg day). But, one thing that you should never be comfortable with is feeling uncomfortable.
You deserve to make your life your own. Enjoy it!
