If you could have a conversation with your past self as a teenager, what would you tell him about what it means to be a man?

I would be suggesting in a way that:-

Respect isn’t given; it’s earned. And you earn it by keeping your word, standing your ground, and handling problems without whining. People will test you, life will hit you hard, and nobody is going to hold your hand through it. Get used to pain, failure, and disappointment because they’re coming whether you like it or not. The difference between a weak man and a strong one is that the strong one keeps moving forward, no matter how many times he gets knocked down.

Stop seeking approval. Stop crying over things you can’t change. Stop blaming others for your situation. If you want something, go get it. If you screw up, own it. If people disrespect you, show them they messed with the wrong guy not by talking, but by proving it through action.

Being a man means knowing when to fight and when to walk away. It means protecting those who depend on you, keeping your emotions in check, and making sure your actions match your words. Weak men talk too much. Strong men move in silence and let their results speak.