All guys, to some extent, are on a quest to become more manly. That quest accelerated for me when I got married, and even more when I had kids. With any quest, though, there will be setbacks. Here are a few of mine, which are meant to get the conversation started and to let you know that you’re not alone.

I did a cross-arm shirt take-off.
As I was getting ready to jump in the shower, the unthinkable happened. Instead of grabbing my shirt mid-back and pulling it over my head (like guys are supposed to do), I crossed my arms, grabbed the shirt tail with both hands, and pulled up. Unfortunately, I saw the whole thing happen in the mirror. I promise you, it will never happen again. It looked so…seductive.

I use a loofa.
You won’t find a better head-to-toe lather out there (I’ll take that to the grave with me). I just got tired of my washcloths losing suds mid-torso and even more tired of getting soap under my fingernails as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get that random hair off my bar of Irish Spring. I honestly don’t think I washed below the knee in my early twenties. It just wasn’t possible.

I referred to something as cute.
I swore I’d never do it, but something happens when you have kids. Seeing your infant sporting a pair of sunglasses or your two-year-old popping his collar will force it out of you. I really don’t want to say it again, but let’s be honest…it will probably happen within the hour.

I accidentally laid out.
I didn’t mean to. I went down to the beach to read my new Nicholas Sparks book, just like any other dude. When I got tired of reading, though, I failed to do what I should have done: throw the football, take a man-walk, or body surf. No, I simply reclined my chair, closed my eyes, and soaked in the rays. To make matters worse, I turned over after 20 minutes or so…you know, just to make sure I got an even tan.

I once called something “too barbaric.”
Wanting to fit in, I went over to a friend’s house to watch some ultimate fighting. Sounds great, I thought. I’ll get to see a great boxing match…the ultimate boxing match! Ten seconds in, I realized my assumptions were a tad off. I was watching two bare-fisted men in a cage trying to erase each others’ memory with heel kicks to the temple. I think one guy head-butted another guy’s shin in half. I couldn’t watch it, so I did what anyone in my situation would have done – I faked diarrhea and stayed in the bathroom all night.

What about you? Anything you need to come clean about?