How To Have Style, Grooming & A Witty Personality
The Edge of Seventeen, Boyhood, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Breakfast Club – these are all timeless coming of age movies, which beautifully remind us of a journey we all have to take to reach full bloom. And maturity isn’t a word that should be taken lightly. This road is often precarious and there are many responsibilities which come with it – for your community, for your friends and family, and for yourself. So congratulations on your efforts because life doesn’t come with an instruction manual and no one said it will be easy.
You see, there is no precise line which we have to cross to be deemed a fully-fledged self-aware adult. Maturity isn’t a switch you flick and voila – you are a grown-ass man. And we’ve certainly heard someone say things like: “he doesn’t behave his age”. Point being: there are no rules to growing up, no universal moment which guarantees you have made a transition from boy to man flawlessly. However, there are some indicators that show you are seasoned enough to know the difference and it starts with how we treat ourselves.
Clothes Do Make A Man
You won’t judge a book solely by its cover but the cover may help you gain interest in reaching for the book in the first place. Men’s wardrobe selection can reflect a lot about how he sees himself and what his current mental state is like. It is a reflection of his sustenance so it is only natural that opting for dignified and elegant pieces of clothing spells maturity.
Pieces like an Italian men’s leather briefcase, a properly tailored suit with matching accessories, smart shirts, and stylish coats all contribute to the fact that he knows how to bear himself both internally and externally. No matter how quick some people are to label this fact as superficial, a keen fashion sense is definitely a hint of maturity.
Sharpen Those Wits
In comedy, timing is everything. Being able to read a room, to adapt to moods, and critique without blatant disregard for other people’s feelings is vital for mindfulness. Words have consequences and knowing how to use them properly in given situations distinguishes men from boys. In all candor, yes, men tend to be more childish than women but, remember, there is a time and a place for everything. It is all about subtext and humor is a great way to train your ability to show some class, acumen, and maturity.
Take, for instance, stag do’s, the rite of passage of all betrothed men. If you were in charge of organizing this milestone event, would you rather spend the last days of bachelordom in some seedy local bar getting hammered or would you prefer organizing a fully-blown stag do adventure in Lisbon, Prague, Berlin or any other trending European destination? There is a huge difference between the two so keep your wits about you.
Groomed, Healthy, And Patient
You don’t have to be polished 24/7 but taking care of your body and looks can speak volumes about your maturity. This includes fitness, diet, sleep, hygiene, and housekeeping. Yes, even housekeeping! Your bedroom is a perfect reflection of who you are as a person so if you want to make any concrete changes in your life, start by making your bed every day. Clean your room. Starting small and working your way up is a great way to make any actual progress in life.
For instance, when you hit the gym for the first time in months or years, you won’t go for the heaviest weights immediately, right? That would be harmful. It is reasonable to start off with something lighter to adapt your muscles to stress. Take things one step at a time. This goes for your eating and sleeping habits, too! If you want to go on a diet change, don’t immediately cut down on ingredients which your body is currently accustomed to. Being mature is knowing that it takes patience and diligence for any change to bear fruit.
Emotional Literacy
Emotional intelligence is paramount for maturity. And it cannot be measured by some points or scales but by the abundance of emotions you can distinguish, articulate, and interpret. You see, men’s principles are usually linked to rationality, pragmatism, dominance, and aggression. But that is just one side of the same coin. We all leave and breathe both of the male and female principles within us and the conscientious union of the two is what completes the rite of passage.
Consequently, men would do well to learn from our female counterparts: to be intuitive, empathetic, emotive, and submissive when necessity demands it. In Jungian psychology, that is called integrating your anima, the unconscious collective feminine side, into your personal psyche (whereas animus is the unconscious collective masculine side of women). We all have a responsibility for our emotions. Men who know when to show their teeth and when to show compassion and support are the very definitions of maturity.
The journey is long, so take it one step at a time.
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