Online Reporter
Fadzayi Maposah-Correspondent
WE are already half way through 2026. June already. It seems like yesterday when we were deciding on how to refine and finalise the New Year’s resolutions.
It seems like yesterday when we were deciding whether we should just carry over what we could not complete from 2025 into 2026. Some of us even thought that in 2026, we did not even need the many resolutions that we had in 2025.
Did we not even tell and console ourselves that quality was more important than quantity? That was enough to comfort us that even having one resolution was important, and that concentrating on it would do wonders for us. Did we lie to ourselves?
The main question is just how far with the resolutions? Let me remind you that today is day 171 of 365 days of 2026. I may have put you under some pressure. Ooops, I am sorry. Look at it as a friend, just checking on progress and reminding you that the year is really slipping past.
Some people may not even have started on their resolutions. Did you not say that in 2026 you would start being particular about what you eat and that you would exercise more? Just start.
So tomorrow is Father’s Day. That shows how far we have gone in the year. The day also falls during Men’s Health Month.
I saw a post on social media where one man wrote a rather tough message. I read it more than twice. I did what my language teachers taught me many years ago — that one should read and understand before attempting to answer any questions.
I was also taught to underline important words in passages so that they would assist in my answers. I have kept that lesson and I am sure that my teachers would be proud of that.
The message shared was a plea that for Father’s Day this year, no man wants socks or underwear or neckties or special meals as presents.
Social media being social media, there were varied reactions to that post. Some women reacted that their ultimate surprises for Father’s Day had been ruined!
One comment was from a woman who asked the man’s wife to stop spoiling the surprises that fellow women had been putting together. There comments from men saying they were looking forward to tools that they can put to good use instead of being taken out for pizza.
Of course, there were those who emphasised that socks were appropriate since it is winter. I liked the twist to the debate after one woman asked why husbands expected presents from their spouses because they were not their fathers!
I was fascinated that someone wrote that she would buy perfume since it was not part of the plea, and that putting up a billboard at some busy bus terminus with the plea would have had a greater reach than posting on social media.
Given that the message was posted on Wednesday, there were outcries that the plea had come too late as some had already bought the presents.
One comment that made me smile was a question when Father’s Day was. I am so sure that question although asked by one individual was asked on behalf of many.
The article got me thinking. I have shared that I like to tell people the type of presents that I want, and now I also ask people to share lists of what they would want so that the present is fully appreciated.
Following the post, I realised that men for many years have been quiet about the presents they would want for Father’s Day, but secretly hope that they will get them. It is no easy walk in the park. I have also realised that many men and even women pretend that they are okay in not getting presents, but slowly it could be eating them inside.
Ahead of Father’s Day tomorrow, take care of your health. Do not be anxious about the present that you may get. I think those who really want presents can become anxious as the day approaches and worry too that maybe no one will go out of their way for them.
These days men are speaking out on what they want in relationships. For many years it appeared that men did not like to be pampered by their loved one, but now the reserve is true.
They appreciate that surprises are arranged for them and that the ones they love go out of their way to make them special. The efforts are recognised. I suspect that men (and even women) may claim not to care just because they do not want to make themselves vulnerable.
So tomorrow if you are a father and you do not get a present that you like, do not be angry. Try to look back and see if you did not in some way contribute to the present that you got with the comments that you gave.
You may have belittled the efforts of others and accused those who had gone out of their way to make your day special.
Then there are those that will get more than they expected. These are two extremes which may even affect your health. Being too upset or being over excited are extremes that may not be good for your health.
Father’s Day may bring its own triggers that also affect one’s health. The important thing is take the whole day in good stride and know that it is vital to safeguard one’s health. Father’s Day is just one day in 2026, there are still 194 days to be lived. #Men’sHealthMonth
