Do you consider yourself a 'Modern Man'? …and what even is that? …or who even is that?!
The term develops over time and can be defined differently based on cultural, societal and personal perspectives.
Growing up through the 00’s, it was David Beckham at the top of the icons charts. It was for me anyway and undoubtedly the same for most other young boys. Beckham inspired a new wave of modern men. His inspiring skills on the pitch, in turn inspired styles off the pitch.
For example...
- Wearing a ‘feminine’ deemed piece of clothing, the sarong
- Perfection in styling wet-look hair, with Brylcreem
- Dressing in runway worthy designer outfits, an all leather Gucci moment!
Beckham became an icon during this period because he decided to push barriers of masculinity when most others were static. In today’s world, many are doing what Beckham did above. However, being more considered and taking it even further.
That modern man who wears a beach sarong, takes time on his hair and dresses in provocative clothing is not so modern anymore. In fact, we’ve pushed so far ahead that in today's society, being a modern man entails new qualities and traits that set them apart from the traditional man.
So, do you consider yourself a modern man? Let's dive into what it means to be one.
The modern man is Self-Confident
Please note, confidence is not the same as arrogance. Some guys out there get this feeling confused still. Having a positive self-image and a belief in one's abilities is what the man of today has.
Modern men have self-success visions and self-cheer with encouragement when challenging times are faced. They understand that failure is a part of the journey towards success and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. We have podcasts to thank for this; a widespread space giving people with influence an opportunity to talk with positive affirmation. Here's one. from The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett I think you'll enjoy.
The modern man is Sustainable
They do not measure their success against others and therefore don’t feel the need to ‘keep up’ with people or trends. It’s actually now seen as being ‘cool’ when styling one item in multiple ways and finding self-assured comfort in letting people know. This man is mindful of their consumption habits and ensure they are not spending more than they earn.
Modern men also make conscious decisions to reduce their carbon footprint and minimise waste by repairing, reusing, rewearing and recycling what they can. Those old Dr Marten’s of yours in the shed? Keep their history going by getting them spruced up! The Seam will look after you with that task.
The modern man is (you guessed it) Authentic
Modern men are comfortable being themselves and not afraid to express their unique individualism. They embrace their quirks, likes, dislikes and unique personality traits. They listen to their own intuition and follow their passions, even if it goes against the norms of society. They understand that being authentic is not only empowering, but also encouraging to others to do the same.
Side note; I actually encourage you to talk the way you speak, because humans have a habit of changing their voice based on the person or environment they're speaking in (that's a battle of mine, still!). I urge you to dress the way you want to feel, because f**k me it'll change the way you live your life for the better. And lastly, be the person you are. FULL STOP.
Let's continue...
The modern man Self-Cares
They prioritise their brain and body health above most other things. They understand the importance of taking care of themselves in order to be their sweetest selves. Just a few ways of doing so can be engaging in meditation, therapy, skincare and running.
In case they inspire you, my self-care habits involve styling my wardrobe, listening to vinyls, walking my dog, going to the gym and morning meditation.
No self-care is performed for vanity, nor is it to fulfil someone else's void. It’s about taking time for yourself. The modern man recognises that self-care is not selfish, rather an essential aspect to a fulfilling life.
As we continue to evolve, so does the definition of a modern man. Looking into the future, modern men will continue to embrace qualities such as empathy, vulnerability and inclusivity. They’ll prioritise building meaningful relationships, while taking more care of their own health. They’ll also take an active role in becoming more mindful of waste and consumption from their fashion to their lifestyle.
Being a modern man means embracing qualities; self-confidence, sustainability, authenticity and self-care. So, now do you consider yourself a modern man?