Feeling lost as a man? You're not alone. The old rulebook is gone.

This post addresses the widespread confusion caused by today's contradictory expectations for men, reframing the absence of an "old rulebook" not as a loss, but as the ultimate opportunity to define your own authentic masculinity.

Paul Botha

9/22/20251 min read

Feeling lost as a man? You're not alone. The old rulebook is gone. Blog entry cover image.
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"Be strong, but be vulnerable."
"Be a provider, but also be emotionally present."

"Be confident, but not arrogant."
"Be successful, but don't be too aggressive."


If you've ever felt like your head is spinning from the contradictory messages about what it means to be a man today, you're not going crazy. You're paying attention.

For generations, the script was simpler, if rigid. Men were the providers, the protectors, the stoic figures who didn't show weakness. While that "rulebook" had its own serious flaws, at least it offered a clear, if narrow, path.
Today, that rulebook has been torn up, rewritten, and feels like it's been actively working against us. We are navigating a new, uncharted territory of masculinity, and it's completely normal to feel confused, frustrated, or even lost.


This confusion isn't a sign of failure. It's a sign of the times. More importantly, it is an invitation.
It is an invitation to stop looking for a pre-written script and start becoming the author of your own. It's an invitation to move beyond outdated stereotypes and consciously build a version of masculinity that feels authentic, strong, and aligned with the man you truly want to be.


The answer isn't another rigid set of rules. The answer is a toolkit. A new compass. A practical guide to building your own definition of strength, grounded in integrity, resilience, and genuine connection.
This is the journey we're about to embark on together. It's time to stop feeling lost and start building your path. Because...

Badasses aren't born, they're built. So let's get to work.
The complete roadmap is in my book, Be a Badass Man. Grab your copy and let's get to work.