Men’s Mental Health… money, career, transitions = big, loud, feelings
When themes such as money, financial security, job happiness, life transitions, independence, and personal growth arise in therapy, there are a dominant group of feeling states that travel alongside the conversation….
The feelings listed above are just a few of many. Within the feelings wheel, the above list of words all derive from the primary feelings of Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. Talking about big life decisions and heavy topics such as gaining financial independence, job security, and personal growth can be daunting, and often result in pushing aside the feelings that are connected to these topics. While these areas of concern do not only effect men, the social expectations of masculinity can make it difficult for many men to find a safe space to talk openly about the big, scary, and very real feelings they face when it comes to confronting these topics. Even within social circles and friendships, I find that many men express uncertainty of how to start conversations around these topics and as a result, feel quite alone in their worry, anxiety, and frustration.
In addition to navigating, expressing, and processing these difficult feelings in therapy, there are thankfully an abundance of resources that exist on the internet and social media to help individuals guide and explore these daunting topics. However, it can be overwhelming to sort through the resources without leaving yourself feeling so exhausted that you don’t even know where to begin. To filter through the chaos, and provide practical supplements to one’s therapeutic work, I’ve put together a list of useful books, podcasts and resources that address these topics in an inspiring and digestible way. **Disclaimer: these resources are pulled from trusted sources. While I have not personally read each book, they have been recommended by professionals who have a credible background.
BOOKS:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity by Justin Baldoni
- Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
- Bored & Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi
- The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin
PODCAST EPISODES:
- The School Of Greatness: How To Multiply Your Time & Income w/Rory Vaden EP 1133
- The School of Greatness: Why SPENDING MORE Time & Energy WON'T Make You SUCCESSFUL!" | Seth Godin & Lewis Howes
- Dare To Lead: Brene with James Clear on Atomic Habits, Part 1 and 2
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FCDXnrrXo9d7VTTX7bi4E?si=9euRd8XjRaivLi_VMhiUgA