"Snowflakes are running to their crying circles and clutching their emotional support puppies over this."
If they are trying to project TOUGHNESS and STRENGTH they have this completely wrong—and it's damaging.
Let's unpack. (Thread.)
It is much easier to deny, suppress, or bury negative emotions than it is to confront them. The former is a sign of weakness. The latter is a sign of strength.
Many combat veterans suffering from PTSD benefit hugely from support animals. They are not snowflakes. They are the bad-asses.
Vulnerability requires courage.
Easy: Burying your head in the sand, lying to yourself about a situation, bullying someone, or projecting machismo.
Hard: Facing the pain of an average human existence and working through it with grace and grit.
It is so sad that a large part of the culture feeds into this. Thousands die because of it.
-Confronting your reality and feeling your feelings.
-Seeking support when you need it.
-Understanding that highs and lows are part of the game.
None of this is easy. It's an ongoing practice. Leads to better mental health, physical health, and performance.