Friday Feature: “Even Strong Men Cry” (Men’s Mental Health Special)

Delfino found Slothy perched on his favorite branch, unusually quiet. The morning light caught a tear slipping down Slothy’s cheek before he could wipe it away.

Delfino: (softly) “Slothy… hey, what’s wrong?”

Slothy: “Oh, hi Delfino. I’m fine—”

Delfino: (swims closer, concerned) “We both know that ‘I’m fine’ isn’t always true. Talk to me?”

Slothy: (voice trembling) “I… I don’t even know where to start. I just feel overwhelmed today. Like I’ve been holding up this smile for everyone, and I’m tired.”

Delfino: “It’s okay. You don’t have to hold it up with me.”

Slothy: (eyes brimming) “I’m supposed to be the strong one, you know? I give the pep talks… I shouldn’t be sitting here, choking up.”

Delfino: “Being strong doesn’t mean never crying. Even the sun needs to rain sometimes, right?”

Slothy: (a small sniffle, managing a faint smile) “I just… I hate that I can’t keep it together.”

Delfino: “Slothy, you keep everyone together. It’s alright to let yourself fall apart a bit. I’ve got you.” (Delfino drapes a fin gently over Slothy’s shoulder. Slothy finally lets the quiet sobs come, and Delfino stays right there beside him.) 

Slothy: (after a moment, wiping his eyes) “Sorry about that… and thank you.”

Delfino: “Don’t apologize. Not to me. Not to anyone. Feeling this way just means you’re human. And I’m here, always.”

🌟 A Feature from Soulamore: Strength isn’t about never breaking down; it’s about knowing you’re allowed to. For generations, men have been taught to choke back tears, to soldier on with a stiff upper lip. But all that does is bottle up pain until it overflows. This Men’s Mental Health Month, we’re redefining what “strong” means. It takes courage to say “I’m not okay,” and sometimes even more courage to cry. Tears are not a betrayal of manhood; they’re a release, a relief, a realignment of the heart. If you’ve been holding it all in, give yourself permission to let go. You don’t need a dramatic reason or a breaking point to justify your feelings. Whether it’s a quiet tear or a heavy sob, you deserve space to feel it. Soulamore is here to hold that space. Start with a small step: write out what you’re feeling in the Confession Box, anonymously and freely. Or reach out on Our Peers – connect with another who’s been through the storm and come out the other side. You’ll find that sharing your heaviness makes it lighter, and opening up is met with understanding, not judgment. You’re allowed to cry, and you don’t have to cry alone.

Soulamore is building soft spaces for emotional wellbeing—online and in real life. Learn more at soulamore.com or follow along at Instagram @soulamore_