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Although we live in a time in which women are asserting their independence and can happily live without a man in their life, men are still often seen as the protectors and the providers. For this reason, men often bottle up their feelings and put other people’s needs before their own, as this is viewed as a stereo-typically masculine behavior. This isn’t okay, you need to learn to care for yourself too, and here’s how:
What Do You Like?
If you’re constantly trying to please others, then you may find that you don’t know what it is that you enjoy doing and what it is that you want out of life. Perhaps you really enjoy a specific curry, but never have it because your friend or partner find it too spicy.
Well, eat the curry; You shouldn’t have to not enjoy something because someone else doesn’t like it, and the same goes for everything in life. Write down things that you enjoy doing, and make sure you do at least one of those things a week.
Just Say No
You’ve been working all day, you’re exhausted, and now your friend has called you and asked you to help them move their wardrobe. You’re a good friend, so you should say yes, right? Wrong. If you are really tired, you should say so, and rest instead. You are no use to anyone if you’re exhausted, especially someone that’s asking you to help with manual labor, so explain that you will gladly help them on another day instead.
This advice goes for anything in life. Make no your default answer, and only say you’ll do something if you really have the time and energy to.
Ask For Help
Suicide is the biggest killer of men from 20 to 50, and that needs to change. One of the reasons that the rates are so high is because men with issues like depression and anxiety aren’t asking for help, whether this be a professional or a friend, as they feel it would go against society’s view of what a man should do. This figure needs to be lowered, and the only way for that to happen is for people who are struggling to be brave and come forward about their problems. I promise, there are a lot more people in the world that want to help you than want to be horrible.
Cut Ties
Unfortunately, some people just aren’t good for us. People that won’t listen when you say no, don’t want to do things that you enjoy, and aren’t approachable when you’re struggling aren’t people you should have in your life. Cutting people out of your life isn’t easy, but it’s sometimes necessary for you to be happy. You may just be able to explain that you can no longer be their friend, or you may have to visit an attorney, such as Tulsa Divorce Attorneys and Associates, and file for divorce, but either way, it will benefit you and your mental health no end.
It can be hard to put yourself first, especially when you’ve spent so long only caring about others, but if you want to be truly happy, then it is important that you do.
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