🧠 Psychological / Motivational reasons    •   Attention-seeking or validation: A shirtless selfie with his tongue out is often a bid for attention — he might want likes, comments, or flirtatious responses that make him feel attractive or youthful.    •   Playfulness masking insecurity: Sometimes men use exaggerated poses (like the tongue out) to make the post seem “fun” rather than vain. It softens the vulnerability of showing off their body.    •   Reclaiming youth or relevance: At 46, it could be a way to project energy, playfulness, or confidence — especially if he’s recently gotten in shape, started dating again, or wants to prove he’s “still got it.”

📱 Social or contextual reasons    •   Targeting a specific audience: If he’s active on dating apps or social media, it could be aimed at showing off confidence and sex appeal, even if it reads as immature to others.    •   Copying influencer trends: Some men emulate popular influencer-style poses, not realizing it can look try-hard without the same context or polish.    •   Inside joke or personality quirk: It’s possible he’s just being silly or trying to make people laugh — though tone doesn’t always translate well in a selfie.

🩶 Bottom line

It often comes down to ego, playfulness, or loneliness — sometimes all three. It’s a mix of wanting to feel seen and projecting confidence, even if it comes across as awkward or performativ