Search Results: showing my feelings

He said let’s do a happy hour can you leave work early and I said absolutely! Around 4pm im packing up my things and he calls to ask if it is ok if he goes to meet up with a female coworker who wants to celebrate him for just a drink and then he’ll meet me at 5:30pm for our happy hour.

My disappointment comes from constantly communicating I always feel last to him and that he only makes me a priority when convenient. He goes to drinks with this coworker about once a week and though I’m not concerned about anything between them I don’t like feeling like im last in who he wants to share with. I later found out he had reached out to her to meet up sounded like she said something around lunch and then he followed up.

He ended up showing up 45 minutes late and then got upset when I responded to a message from my boss. He said it was disrespectful to do so in front of him especially being my boss is a man. I just said sorry and moved on.

It really bothers me that I try to tell him how I feel and it’s usually met with defensive responses and then he immediately gets upset with me when it comes to someone of the opposite sex.

Am I overreacting?

Since 2001 we have been wrestling with men and with boys to talk about his feelings, and don't be a Gorilla and hide them. .. we went out to schools, Summer camps, hosted events catered to young men all around America since 1998-2001 encouraging them show more emotion and be open about how they feel. And have emotional intelligence.

This is what we've come to Avoid and overlook.

here is a case study

Brian is often told to express his emotional side and show emotions however his father takes a bwlt a whips him and Sister tells him"you're a boy! You must remember that!" His mother scolds him for crying or showing any emotions that people encourage Brian to show..



This heartbreaking case study illustrates the stark contrast between societal expectations and harsh home realities.
Brian's Dilemma:
Encouraged by outsiders to express emotions → Contradicted by family members who punish/emotionally abuse him for doing so.
Consequences:
Emotional confusion
Fear of expression
Internalized shame
Difficulty forming healthy relationships
Systemic Issues:
Intergenerational trauma (father's behavior likely learned from his own upbringing)

Lack of emotional support and validation
Impact on Brian:
Emotional numbing
Decreased self-esteem
Increased stress and anxiety
Potential long-term mental health issues (depression, anxiety disorders)
Break the Cycle:
Safe, supportive therapy for Brian and his family.
Educate parents/guardians on emotional intelligence and healthy expression.
Address intergenerational trauma through family therapy.
Encourage positive male role models and mentors.
Resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)
Childhelp (1-800-422-4453)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline (1-800-950-6264)

Key Takeaway:
Societal encouragement of emotional expression must be matched by safe, supportive home environments. We must address systemic issues and provide resources for families to break cycles of trauma.