Ed Sheeran recounted how as a teenager he felt wrong and different than his peers

The idea of ​​what a man should be like, based on fairly outdated stereotypes, often causes insecurity in boys, especially when they are growing up. Not recognizing oneself in certain canons determines a strong sense of inadequacy which can reverberate even in adulthood.

This is exactly what happened to Ed Sheeran who, in a recent interview, told how as a teenager he felt wrong and different than his peers.

«I’ve always had a very strong feminine side, but for a long time they made me think that this was a problem. For example, I like plays, pop music or Britney Spears but this, when I was younger, was almost ridiculed “, explained the singer of Shape of You. And what did this cause? “The only answer I gave myself as to why I liked things my friends completely ignored is that I was gay. For a while’ I thought I was homosexual precisely because I didn’t recognize myself in that particular male category. The only thing I had in common with them was drinking beer and watching football matches ».

In short, quite absurd that the passion for music, having a particular artist as an idol had pushed Ed Sheeran to think that he was gay only because the spectrum of what was (and no longer is, fortunately!) considered purely male was so limited. Useless and harmful stereotypes that don’t take that into account a passion has no gender connotation and it is only ourselves who can define ourselves based on what we feel closest to us and our sensitivity.

Obviously, a few years later, as an adult and as a successful singer, the interpreter of Bad Habits he never felt totally comfortable sharing his interests until his wife arrived: ‘You made me realize how nonsense it was. She is a super woman, a feminist who does not stop at any stereotype or obstacle. It is a true example of female empowerment, as well as a great source of inspiration for me ». In fact, now he feels freer to show himself and really tell himself for what he is.

Let’s remember, therefore, not to let ourselves be caged by any stereotype: each of us has an articulated personality, variegated and even conflicting passions and, to give striking examples (workhorses of a certain type of thought), loving make-up does not make us someone less masculine, if they feel like that, or never wearing skirts and dresses does not make a person un-feminine. Let us never let someone else say who we are and how we should feel and, above all, let us not leave it to outdated preconceptions that do not take into account the complexity of the world.