I recently realized the missing puzzle piece to Guyset. The core of this podcast is that guys don’t know where to find answers, advice, or recommendations to the questions, anxieties, or worries they have. What I also realized is that guys don’t have an outlet to share or talk about how they're feeling or what they're thinking on a regular basis. A lightbulb went off. No wonder so many of us are pent-up, anxious, angry, or worried. We don't talk about it.

Why Guys Need Emotional Outlets (And How to Create Them)

It was 2 AM on a Friday night when everything clicked for Josh. He was out with friends, nachos and beer on the table, when their casual catch-up evolved into something deeper. Hours later, they were sharing their real feelings about life, relationships, and the future—the kind of conversation that felt both rare and essential.

The next day, a friend pointed out something Josh had never considered: "You do kind of do that a lot on your podcast. That's an outlet for you."

This revelation sparked an important realization about men's mental health: guys don't know where to put their emotions, so they push them down instead.

The Problem: Guys Don't Have Enough Emotional Outlets

Unlike women, who often have regular "girls' nights" involving deep conversations about feelings, men rarely create space for emotional expression. As Josh puts it:

"Girls have these times where they have like girls night and they'll just like sit on the couch, drink wine and talk about their feelings and their thoughts for hours on end. And this is probably the first time I've done this with my friends in like months."

Why Men Avoid Emotional Expression

Several factors contribute to men's reluctance to share their feelings:

Cultural Conditioning: Men are taught that expressing emotions is a sign of weakness Lack of Practice: We don't regularly engage in emotional conversations Fear of Judgment: Worry about how others will react to vulnerability
No Safe Spaces: Uncertainty about where it's appropriate to share feelings Absence of Models: Fewer examples of men modeling emotional openness

The Consequences of Bottled-Up Emotions

When men consistently push down their emotions, several negative outcomes emerge:

• Increased anxiety and stress

• Difficulty processing life changes

• Strained relationships

• Poor mental health

• Explosive emotional episodes

• Feeling isolated and alone

Josh recognized this pattern: "I think that's the reason that so many guys are pent up or angry or anxious or have a lot of these worries is because there just is nowhere for you to share it."

Practical Emotional Outlets for Men

Based on his experience and research, Josh recommends several concrete outlets that any man can implement:

1. Daily Friend Check-ins

The Method: Text or call one person daily asking how they're doing and sharing your own status

Why It Works:

• Creates regular emotional expression opportunities

• Strengthens friendships

• Normalizes discussing feelings

• Takes just 3-7 minutes

How to Start:

• Choose a consistent time (walking home from work, lunch break, evening)

• Start simple: "Today was tough, work was overwhelming. How was yours?"

• Gradually deepen conversations as comfort increases

2. One-Sentence Daily Writing

The Method: Write one sentence daily using these prompts:

• "I'm grateful for..."

• "Today I..."

• "Tonight I..."

• "Tomorrow I..."

• "I feel..."

• "I want..."

• "I need..."

Examples:

• "I'm grateful for the conversation I had with my brother today"

• "I feel overwhelmed about my workload this week"

• "I need to be more patient with myself"

Benefits:

• Takes less than one minute

• Creates a written record of emotions

• Helps identify patterns in thinking

• Private and judgment-free

3. Mindful Walking

The Method: Walk for 5-15 minutes daily without distractions

Rules:

• No phone, music, or podcasts

• Focus on thoughts and feelings

• Let your mind process the day

• Optional: Write down insights afterward

Why It's Effective:

• Forces quiet reflection time

• Combines physical activity with mental processing

• Harder than it seems—most men avoid being alone with thoughts

• Natural way to decompress

The Science of Consistency

Josh emphasizes an important truth: "Nothing that has ever helped me or led to a better version of myself or improving myself has come naturally."

The 7-Day Rule

Research suggests that habits begin forming after 7 days of consistent practice. Josh recommends:

1. Days 1-3: Expect resistance and discomfort

2. Days 4-7: Notice slight improvements in ease

3. Days 8-30: Watch it become more natural

4. Beyond 30 days: Experience becomes automatic

Chelsea Handler's Wisdom

Josh quotes Handler: "With any consistency, its rewards are bountiful." This applies to emotional outlets—the benefits compound over time.

Additional Outlet Ideas from the Community

Josh asked Reddit users about their emotional outlets. Here are some valuable responses:

Movement-Based:

• Gym and consistent workouts

• 15-minute daily walks

• Stretching routines

Reflection-Based:

• Gratitude journaling

• Reading before bed

• Daily planning and to-do lists

Service-Based:

• Asking "How can I help someone today?"

• Volunteering

• Mentoring others

Self-Care:

• Drinking enough water

• Getting adequate sleep

• Breathing exercises

Why Outlets Matter More Than Ever

Modern life increasingly isolates men from meaningful emotional connections. Work stress, social media comparison, and the fast pace of life create perfect storms for emotional buildup without release.

Josh's podcast revelation shows how creating any form of regular emotional expression—whether through conversations, writing, or reflection—can dramatically improve mental health and relationships.

Getting Started: Your 7-Day Challenge

Choose ONE of these outlets and commit to trying it for 7 days:

Option 1: Text one friend daily asking how they are and sharing your day Option 2: Write one sentence daily using the prompts above Option 3: Take a 5-minute phone-free walk daily

Tips for Success:

1. Pick a specific time (morning, lunch, evening)

2. Start small—one sentence, one text, five minutes

3. Be consistent—do it every day for 7 days

4. Show yourself grace—if you miss a day, just restart

5. Notice how you feel after a week of practice

The Ripple Effect

When men create regular emotional outlets, benefits extend beyond personal mental health:

• Better relationships: More emotionally available to partners, friends, family

• Reduced conflict: Less likely to explode from bottled-up frustration

• Increased empathy: Better understanding of others' emotional needs

• Modeling behavior: Shows other men that emotional expression is normal

• Breaking cycles: Prevents passing emotional suppression to the next generation

Key Takeaways

1. Men often lack emotional outlets, leading to suppressed feelings and mental health issues

2. Creating outlets doesn't come naturally—it requires intentional practice

3. Small daily practices (one text, one sentence, five-minute walk) can create significant change

4. Consistency is key—7 days of practice begins habit formation

5. The benefits compound over time—emotional expression becomes easier and more natural

6. You don't have to share everything—private outlets (journaling, reflection) are equally valuable

Start Today

Josh's experience proves that recognizing the need for emotional outlets is the first step toward better mental health. Whether you choose daily friend check-ins, one-sentence journaling, or mindful walks, the key is to start somewhere and stay consistent.

Remember: "You have to start somewhere to get anywhere."

Men deserve emotional wellness just as much as physical health. Creating outlets isn't weakness—it's maintenance for your mental and emotional wellbeing.

What will your outlet be?

Looking for more conversations about men's mental health and personal development? Subscribe to Guyset for weekly discussions about the challenges guys face and practical solutions that actually work.

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