I’m not sure at what age I came to believe this or who influenced me. Maybe it was my upbringing or advice from parents and friends. I thought that a woman would respect a man more if he showed his emotions. She would cry with him. This is what I believed as a child.
I find this ridiculous now because I used to be that guy who showed his emotions and cried, not just with one woman but with many, in both romantic and friendly relationships. I was labeled as weak and not man enough to be there for her when she needed support.
“A man shouldn’t cry in a relationship or in front of a woman, as it makes him seem weak and vulnerable to manipulation”. “He risks being controlled by the very woman he shows his emotions to”. These are the words I heard directly from the women I cried in front of.
I haven’t cried in front of another woman because I’m worried about how it will affect my romantic and friendly relationships. I’m afraid of not being seen as the man they thought they had seen in me.
I cry alone.
Sincerely,
David L
Healing with art
HealingWithArt 
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