Society places a lot of expectations on both men and women. We are all conditioned to believe we need to be a certain way in order to be a ‘real’ man or a ‘good’ woman.

Growing up, girls are often told they are too sensitive or too needy, or if they express strong opinions or anger, they are often directly or indirectly minimized or criticized. Conversely, as adults, women are often told they are too harsh or ‘masculine’, and then when they try to be more soft or express more emotionality, they are labeled as erratic. 

Boys are often expected to be strong protectors who are sensitive to other’s needs, while managing their own array of feelings by themselves. Especially if they have high sensitivity or lack or caring role models, there’s often no outlet for boys to express their emotions and worries effectively. Men are pushed to be feminine, soft and cautious around women, and to be a strong, stable and leading provider at the same time. 

There’s a lot of opinions around who and how you are to be as both a girl, boy, a woman or a man. More like a man, a little bit more like a woman, or something in between. It seems impossible to get it right. And it is.  

I’m passionate about helping both men and women discover who they are, apart from these societal expectations. For some men, it might feel really good to be in touch with their sensitive side, whereas for others it might feel like they are forcing themselves to be something they are not. Conversely, there are women who feel great emphasizing their independence and strength, whereas others would much rather be able to rest into the arms of a strong man.