While growing up, you probably learned that being emotional is a bad thing, and it's to be avoided at all costs.
For men, this is a big thing.
I remember growing up with the belief that feeling feelings made me weak. I didn't shed any tears when my favorite grandparent died, or even when one of my best friends was murdered.
It wasn't that I was not sad, but rather than I just could not allow myself to show my emotions.
It was like there was a mental gate that had been locked shut, and no matter how bad I was feeling on the inside, it just could not be shown on the outside.
I grew up believing that expressing emotions for men is a big no-no, and that being emotional made you weak.
But now I know better.
I have learned better, but it took me a while.
If you grew up with similar values and beliefs, the first thing to realize is that you are not to blame for this.
No one is.
People adopt and pass on such negative and harmful beliefs because they don't know any better. The good news is that now you know better, which means you can do better.
Emotions are not a bad thing, but avoiding or burying them can be, since that way of dealing with emotions generally makes you feel terrible. However, by really acknowledging your emotions, you help yourself in a big way, as that way you can process your emotions in a healthy way.
Remember, avoiding your emotions does not make you stronger, dealing with them does.
Have a great day,
Salek
P.S. Just like this disempowering belief, there are lots of other unhelpful and disempowering beliefs that we pick up throughout our lives. A big reason for this is blind faith. Learn how that can and does create obstacles for you in this talk: The dangers of blind faith.