If a guy comes home with a stained shirt, you know he’s had a rough day. If he’s sporting a five o’clock shadow, you know he’s been too busy to shave.
Sounds pretty straightforward, right?
However, often it’s not as clear-cut as that. Actually, there are subtle signs that a man has given up on his appearance and he might not even realize it himself.
There are folks, though, who can spot these signs from a mile away. And it’s usually because they’re familiar with these 8 specific behaviors.
In the next few minutes, we’ll delve into the nitty-gritty of these telltale signs.
So, buckle up and let’s decipher this complex world of men’s self-image together.
1) He’s become a stranger to his grooming kit
Grooming is a significant part of anyone’s appearance.
It’s like the icing on the cake, giving the final touch to your overall look. However, when a man starts neglecting this part, it’s a sign something’s up.
You see, most men take pride in their grooming routine. They have their specific razors, their favorite aftershaves, and they never miss a shaving day. It’s almost like a ritual for them.
But when you notice that your guy has stopped shaving regularly, or his grooming kit is gathering dust, it might mean he’s given up on maintaining his appearance – without even realizing it.
Remember, it’s not about him being lazy or not having time. It’s about the subtle change in his behavior, indicating he might be neglecting himself.
So if your guy is bypassing his grooming routine more often than not, it could be a silent SOS signal that he’s letting go of his appearance.
Quite an eye-opener, isn’t it?
2) His wardrobe hasn’t seen a change in a while
We all have our favorite pair of jeans or that super comfy sweater we can’t seem to part with. But when your wardrobe hasn’t seen a new addition in a while, it’s a different story.
Take me, for instance. I’ve always loved dressing up. A new shirt here, a new pair of shoes there – it was my way of expressing myself.
But there was this period in my life when things weren’t going too well. I was feeling low, and without even realizing it, my wardrobe started reflecting my mood.
I stopped buying new clothes. My favorite shirts began to fade, but I didn’t bother replacing them. I wore the same old jeans until they were threadbare. It wasn’t like me at all.
In hindsight, it was one of those subtle behaviors signaling that I had given up on my appearance.
So, if you notice that someone’s style hasn’t evolved or refreshed in a significant amount of time, it could be an indication that they’re neglecting their appearance without even being aware of it.
It’s fascinating how our clothes can speak volumes about us, isn’t it?
3) He’s neglecting his health and fitness
Appearance isn’t just about what you wear or how you groom yourself. It also has a lot to do with how you treat your body.
When a man starts ignoring his health and fitness, it’s a major sign that he’s letting go of his appearance. Maybe he’s stopped going to the gym, or he’s indulging in unhealthy foods more often than not.
According to the World Health Organization, regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and several types of cancer. Not only does it keep us physically healthy, but it also plays a huge role in our mental wellbeing.
So when a man stops caring about his health and fitness, it can be a subtle indication that he’s given up on his appearance without even realizing it.
The link between our physical wellbeing and appearance is stronger than we think, wouldn’t you agree?
4) His body language has changed
Body language is a powerful tool for communicating our thoughts and feelings without saying a word. When a man is confident about his appearance, it shows in the way he carries himself – shoulders back, head held high, a steady gaze.
But when a man starts feeling less than confident about his looks, his body language often reflects this. He might slouch more, avoid eye contact, or keep his arms crossed defensively.
These subtle shifts in body language could be an indication that he’s not feeling great about his appearance. What’s more, he might not even be aware of these changes himself – making them all the more telling.
Isn’t it fascinating how our bodies can reveal what we’re feeling on the inside?
5) He’s stopped taking selfies
In this age of social media, selfies have become a common way of expressing ourselves. But what happens when someone who used to love taking selfies suddenly stops?
I’ll tell you what happened with me. I used to love capturing moments – a great hair day, a new shirt, or just a random happy moment. My phone was full of selfies.
But then, during a phase when I was feeling low and had let go of my appearance, I stopped taking selfies altogether. I didn’t feel like capturing those moments anymore, because I wasn’t feeling great about how I looked.
So, if a man who used to click selfies regularly has suddenly stopped, it could be a sign that he’s not feeling too confident about his appearance. And the craziest part? He might not even realize it himself!
It’s funny how our habits unconsciously change based on how we feel about ourselves, isn’t it?
6) He’s dressing up… too much
It’s easy to think that someone who’s constantly dressing up is really into their appearance. But sometimes, overdoing it can actually be a sign that they’re not feeling so great about how they look.
When a man starts wearing suits to casual outings or overdressing for simple occasions, it could be his way of compensating for the insecurity he feels about his appearance. Instead of focusing on maintaining his looks, he might be using clothes as a smokescreen.
Remember, it’s not about how much effort he’s putting into dressing up, but rather why he’s doing it. If it seems out of character or unnecessary, it might be his subtle way of covering up his insecurities about his appearance – without even realizing it.
Who would have thought that dressing up too much could be a sign of neglecting one’s own appearance? Quite the paradox, don’t you think?
7) He’s stopped making eye contact
Eye contact is a powerful form of non-verbal communication. It shows that we’re engaged, interested, and confident. But when a man starts avoiding eye contact, it could be a sign that he’s not feeling too good about his appearance.
You see, when we’re confident about how we look, we’re more likely to engage in direct eye contact. We feel good about ourselves and aren’t afraid to let others into our space.
But when a man starts feeling insecure about his looks, he might unconsciously start avoiding eye contact. It’s as if he’s trying to hide from the gaze of others, even without realizing it.
So, if you notice him avoiding your gaze more often than not, it could be a sign he’s given up on his appearance.
Isn’t it intriguing how our eyes can give away so much about us?
8) He’s lost his smile
The most telling sign that a man has given up on his appearance is when he stops smiling. A genuine smile is the ultimate expression of confidence and happiness, and when a man stops smiling, it’s often because he’s not feeling good about himself.
When we’re confident and content with our appearance, we smile more. It’s a natural reaction to feeling good about ourselves. But when a man starts feeling insecure about his looks, his smile is often the first thing to disappear.
This isn’t about him being in a bad mood or having a bad day. It’s about the consistent absence of that genuine, confident smile.
So, if the man in your life has lost his smile, it might be time for a heart-to-heart conversation.
Understanding is the first step
As we’ve journeyed through these subtle behaviors, it’s important to remember that acknowledging them is not about judging or blaming. It’s about understanding.
Understanding that sometimes, without even realizing it, we might give up on our appearance due to various reasons – stress, low self-esteem, or even a personal crisis.
It’s about understanding that these signs are not a reflection of a person’s worth, but rather a call for attention, care, and support.
And most importantly, it’s about understanding that we all have phases in our lives when we feel low and unattractive. In these moments, what truly counts is kindness – towards ourselves and others.
So if you find someone in your life showing these signs, extend your hand. Let them know they’re not alone. And if you’re the one feeling this way, remember – it’s okay to ask for help.
Because at the end of the day, our appearance is just one aspect of us. It doesn’t define our value or our worth. And there’s always room for change, growth, and self-love.
Isn’t it beautiful how understanding can pave the way for compassion and change?
