In today’s society, men aren’t able to be open about their emotions or thoughts. It goes against the propaganda and social guidelines that men are strong and they don’t have any reason to be sad, which isn’t true at all. Everyone is going through something that makes them sad or feel weak. Due to toxic masculinity it is hard to open up to anyone, male or female, it makes it feel like you are drowning and no one is there to pull you up. I will try to help you find ways to open up easily because I have gone through the same thing.

Opening up to anyone isn’t easy, it’s uncomfortable, and awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. Using your phone to text or call is an easier way to communicate if face to face is too hard. I recently had my friend open up to me through text about how he has been down all the time after something he went through and it was easy, we just talked it as if it was a normal conversation face to face but through text. In a podcast with the founder of the Mojave Phone Booth Website, Godfrey “Doc” Daniels. Doc stated that, “An old trucker guy called and I think he just wanted to be listened to. He wanted to tell stories about his trucking days and he didn’t seem to have anybody to tell them to.”. I use this method too, when I’m having a bad day, just talking face to face is too much. Venting and Ranting on the internet like for example on Reddit is a way to get something off your chest and see if others go through the same thing or have ideas on what you’re going through. 

To open up is to be honest, when you open up, lying and dodging will get you nowhere to make yourself any better; make a statement on how you are feeling and why. Being upfront and honest is the best way if you want the 100% best feedback and don’t overthink it. Be honest and true to the person you are talking to and yourself. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, when Cassio gets into a drunken brawl and gets fired by Othello he cries, “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation!”. Lago suggests that Cassio talks to Desdemona, Othello’s wife, Cassio falls for this and talks to Desdemona about getting his position back instead of Othello which is Lago’s trap. This creates one of the biggest reasons for Othello’s horrifying ending. If Cassio was open and honest to Othello instead of talking to his wife then his life would be easier. Don’t sugarcoat the way you are feeling, be honest and forward.