Man Up or Show Up?

Which is it for you?

For me, I guess they sort have the same message, however, ‘man up’ is more of a negative vibe, it does have this triggering affect for people. But, is it really triggering? Or is there an inner knowing that they really do have the courage, but the fear from the human mind is just getting in the way and getting offended; which we know all too well that the ego does take things personally.
Perhaps, it’s connected to “grow a pair”, which could also be “feel the fear and do it anyway” - which I love! We get so much courage from feeling that fear of the unknown and doing it anyway. We are here to push our own boundaries and our own limits - that’s where growth is… That’s being alive!

Someone recently said “I feel stressed and happy”, and in a sense that really is feeling alive. Of course you need to check-in to make sure it’s not detrimental to your health and nervous system and we can’t live in this state all of the time, but, it’s where the action is; to make those changes in life. Then we need to make time to rest, relax, process, restore, so we can recover and not burn our selves out.

For me I have to confess I have used ‘Man-Up’ a fair bit in the past, but a lot at myself very rarely on others; sometimes people do need a ‘snapping out’ of their funk and need a push to just GO FOR IT! A lot of people see ‘man up’ as a negative, but I guess it’s how we receive the words ourselves. I have always meant it harshly at me, but more gently to others, as a “please will you just show up for yourself and stop this unnecessary suffering”. Obviously when it is legit suffering like loss or trauma, then I would NEVER say these words!! Pure love, empathy, kindness and compassion is only available in those scenarios.

I will say that now I am using the words ‘Show Up’ when I find myself wanting to boost others. I just want everyone to just show up for themselves, advocate for their needs, make the necessary changes to live a happier more fulfilled life. We are taught and conditioned to abandoned our self and sometimes this happens through trauma which was my story. For me, manning up was always about feel the fear and do it anyway. The only way we grow is by just taking action, don’t get me wrong, if you’re a sensitive soul like me, sometimes we need a bit longer to decide but it’s important we just go for it.

Originally written in Nov 2022.