Throughout the year, I have been on the journey of understanding the concept of “persevering”. It's a challenging process, yet the act of surrendering doesn't simplify merely by unclenching your fists. One has to grow accustomed to the emptiness felt as a result, considering the previous belief that stubbornness encapsulated strength. It's apparent that men are often groomed to voice their desires, yet keep their emotions hidden, thus projecting an external “how do you do?” instead of an introspective “what's my state?”. While they desire companionship, they often struggle in the initial phases of comprehending their internal world and emotions. This can subsequently lead to feelings of self-loathing or doubts about self-care, experiences I have wrestled with before. In a study facilitated by the National Institute of Mental Health, many “men reported their symptoms of depression without recognizing their depressive state.” They were unable to perceive a link between their mental affliction and physical symptoms, such as migraines, digestive issues, and enduring pain. Women, contrarily, were deeply in tune with their experiences, albeit they generally kept quiet about it. It's quite common for individuals to rely on methods to alter their personas with the best of intentions. Yet, habits and rituals provide the tools for self-improvement, whereas the journey to self-discovery can be chaotic. Life will introduce various people and situations that highlight where we lack freedom. Any external reactions to external instigators indicate our discomfort and dissatisfaction with those situations or events.