International Men’s Day
International Men’s Day was yesterday.
Cool. Now comes the hard part; follow through.
Consistency.
Giving a shit about men and the things we face. Giving a shit about yourself.
It’s easy to post the hashtag. It’s easy to share the generic quote about "checking on your mates."
Awareness is great. But it doesn’t do shit if you don’t DO something with it.
These days, we have more awareness campaigns than you can shake a stick at.
Men talk. Yeah, many of us could talk more about shit that we struggle with - unburden ourselves with people who can help us put it down. Witness us. Lighten the load.
But are we listening? Are we then taking action on what is discussed?
Awareness needs implementation.
Awareness around the issues men face needs a lot more than just a day to say “thanks, men” every 365 days.
First of all, it needs that to be really truly said and fucking meant.
Like, men, I see you.
Carrying the weight of responsibility. I see you struggling and bumping up against very little care, compassion or concern for what it is that battles you.
I see you doing your best. I see you working to feel ok in the world, in your own skin.
I see you working to be the man you needed growing up, to be the father you are proud of, to heal and deal with your wounds so you don’t bleed them into the world and your relationships.
You are needed. You are valued. You are appreciated.
Men are amazing. Thank you.
International Men’s Day needs to be every day.
We don’t need more “men need to talk”.
We don’t need a little love once a year.
We also don’t need more men who perform "Happy International Men’s Day" for one day a year to get the algorithm's validation.
We need men who are committed to the daily practice of self-leadership.
We need people listening to men. Really fucking caring.
To me, celebrating men isn't about ignoring our shadows or pretending we're victims. It’s about owning the capacity we have to be genuinely good men. Fucking legends.
Setting a standard and embodying it.
Real celebration looks like:
⚡️ Dropping the "Lone Wolf" act and admitting you can't carry the weight of the world alone. Allowing yourself to have support. Allowing yourself to be human.
⚡️ Moving from conflict-avoidance to courageous connected conversations.
⚡️ Cultivate the King energy to lead your family, and the Warrior energy to protect your boundaries and your loved ones.
The work doesn’t stop at midnight on November 19th.
If you want to actually honour manhood in 2025, stop waiting for permission to be great.
Stop waiting for the "right time" to deal with your shit.
Stop waiting for every man to be perfect before you praise the men in your life.
Be the man who does the work when there’s no hashtag attached to it.
Be the person who celebrates men because we are great and we are essential.
Tell me - hit ‘Reply’:
What is one standard you are holding yourself to for the rest of this year? 👇
What is a trait you want to will embody in 2026?
Here’s to you, man.
Mike
