Man Just Go!

Positivity is an uncommon noun for a lot of men.

Ask a bunch of us what brightens our mood and you’ll more than likely hear things like: a nice cooked meal, a lazy day, a long run, their favorite ball club winning a big game, or maybe even a mug of fresh brewed green tea in the morning. Things that are simple yet real. 

But rarely will we stop and think about positivity itself. 

For many of us, positivity isn’t something we strive for. It’s something we assume we’ll just eventually be- after our stressful day at work, after paying our bills, or after completing whatever goals we wanted to reach at that moment of time. Positivity is like the reward at the end of the road. 

The issue there is that the road is never-ending. 

There’s always something waiting to dampen our moods. Another task. Another problem to resolve. Somewhere along that path, many men quietly decide that positivity can take a pause. 

But it shouldn’t. 

There’s a strange pressure on men to act like mental heath isn’t an important topic. We’re supposed to be productive, focused, and tough. Providers, builders, those who endure. But focusing on staying positive isn’t being soft. 

It’s fueling our souls. 

Men that focus on the positive side of the smallest of moments last longer in the fight. Work better. Love better. Show up better for those around them. 

If you’re not in a positive mindset, you’re focused on survival. 

And survival isn’t living.  

The little things matter. The truth is that a positive attitude is rarely brought on by a giant life-changing moment. It’s developed quietly. 

With the first sip of coffee and smoke in the morning before the rest of the world wakes up. With finishing a long project you wanted to give up on. Laughing with a friend you’ve known for a life time. Driving through towns drenched in holiday decor. The rare moments when life feels calm. 

Develop that fitness routine. Eat well. Walk away from something that stresses you out. Life’s calm moments become less of a rarity. 

And positivity may not look the coolest on social media- but it matters. Staying positive is building the columns that keep the bridge to our success standing. 

Also, don’t wait for tomorrow. Don’t make a deal with yourself to start being more positive when you make more money, get in better shape, life slows down, etc. Life isn’t a platform game where a positive mindset unlocks after beating a level. If you don’t start the work now, you run the risk of postponing forever. 

Just make some room. Focusing on your mental health doesn’t demand huge changes. Most of the time it’s just knowing when you need to give yourself a little space. 

Call a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while. Go for a long walk instead of scrolling through your phone all day. Cook something fancy. Work on something you actually enjoy. Yeah, it sounds super easy. Because it kind of is. 

But….we do tend to forget the simple things first. 

The truth is that most of us men tend to learn things late. One day we wake up, later than expected, and realize something important, something my dad constantly preaches to me:

Our lives aren’t only supposed to be about the grind and our responsibilities. Sure work matters. Providing matters. Building something meaningful. 

But focusing on ourselves and enjoying the limited time we’re given on this planet matters as well. 

Staying positive doesn’t need to be a loud action. It doesn’t need to be impressive. Most of the time, it’s just a quiet feeling of content that lets us know things are okay. 

And most of the time, that’s more than enough. 

-Giovanni Alvarado