How Men Can Overcome Societal Expectations To Feel More Fulfilled

It may be 2021, but there are still plenty of stigmas out there regarding how men should act. There are expectations put in place by society that can be pressuring at best and damaging at worst.

Unfortunately, these stigmas often get ignored for “more important” things. But societal expectations of men can be extremely dangerous.

You probably have a few subconscious ones of your own—a man should be a provider, have physical strength, and be emotionally “tough”. Sound familiar?

The problem with societal expectations is that they are nearly impossible to live up to. That, unfortunately, leads to another stigma associated with men—mental health. Because most men believe they have to be “tough” or strong, they avoid getting mental health treatment even when it’s needed.

So, how can you overcome those societal expectations? What can you do to live a more fulfilling life without giving into the pressures of our culture?

Get to the Root

When you’re dealing with societal expectations, you’re really dealing with personal expectations that have been ingrained ininin you. The first step in overcoming them is to ask yourself why you have them in the first place.

Maybe you were taught certain things throughout your childhood about how a man should be. Maybe you’ve learned from the media or your entertainment choices. Or you may have simply watched other men in your life act a certain way and you followed their lead.

Whatever the case, asking yourself why you have certain expectations is a great way to get to the root, and break down that pressure on yourself.

Start With the Golden Rule

One way to break stereotypes and societal expectations is to take responsibility for your role in society itself. You’re a part of it, right? Use that bit of power you have to make a change.

Not sure how to start?

Look around at the people you know. Do you have a male co-worker who has a strong sense of humility? Or maybe they're just known around the office as a “nice guy”? Don’t be afraid to praise him for that. He’s either consciously or subconsciously fighting gender norms, and a bit of acknowledgment can go a long way.

The same goes for male friends and family members. If you see someone you care about going against the grain of societal expectations, give them a boost. They’ll be able to do the same for you in return. So, you’ll know you always have someone on your side.

Decide Who You Want to Be

If you feel like your life is unfulfilling or missing something, you're not alone. Feeling like you have to play a certain role just because of your gender can be exhausting, especially if societal expectations don’t fit with who you really are.

Surround yourself with people who support you for who you are and continuously revisit the idea of who you want to be. If your behaviors don’t line up with that, you know it’s time to make a change. Start small, with people who care about you, and find encouragement everywhere you go.

Overcoming societal expectations may not be easy. But, it is a choice. If you decide to challenge those stereotypes, you’ll quickly find that you feel more like yourself than you have in years. That will lead to a more fulfilling, happier, contented life.

If you’re not sure how to get started or you’re still struggling with societal expectations, feel free to contact me for more information or to set up an appointment. We’ll work together to develop more everyday strategies, so you can live the life you deserve.

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