The Integrated Masculine

It’s me, hi.

Welcome to my very first post on “The Integrated Masculine Man” where I’ll share my journey of personal growth, self-awareness, and embracing a balanced expression of masculinity.

As we step into 2025, I find myself reflecting on a personal shift that began just over a month ago. This shift led me to embrace journaling, and I’ve found that through daily routine of written expression that it brings me a sense of calm and clarity. Some days, I feel like I could write for hours, losing myself in the flow of words and my own musings.

For a long time, I’ve considered starting a podcast. Many deep conversations with my friends at the gym, in the workplace, around a kitchen bench, or around a dinner table at midnight have given me the belief that I can definitely dive deep into most topics. I know the capacity for depth is there. However, apart from not having the infrastructure to actually create a podcast, I don’t believe I have a voice that is easy on the ears anyway.

One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to lean into creativity, keep writing, and continue learning. This blog is a manifestation of that resolution. Through this platform, I hope to maintain my practices of self-growth and share my journey with you. Another resolution I have is to leave people better than when I found them. If even one person reads my posts and learns something valuable, I will have achieved that goal. But even if no one reads it, that’s perfectly okay too. I’m doing this for myself, and if I help someone along the way, that’s a bonus.

So who is The Integrated Masculine Man?

I’m a thirty-something-year-old male with a 4.5-year-old son, whom I’ve single-parented since he was 4 months old. I’m in my 14th year working for the same company where I did my apprenticeship. Through various movements and opportunities, I’ve found myself in a leadership position, where I discovered my passion for helping others grow and develop—a quality I now try to bring into all aspects of my life.

I’ve just purchased my second home and have a passion for travel and the personal growth that comes with investing in oneself. I’ve been an avid follower of the Barefoot Investor for the past four years, and in my wallet, you’ll find both ING cards labelled “daily expenses” and “splurge.” I’m currently teaching my son the Barefoot Kids values of smile, splurge, and give.

I have a passion for music, whether it’s listening, playing guitar, or attending live music events and festivals. Music is sacred; it’s a universal language that unites us all, no matter where we come from. I’m also an ‘OG Swiftie,’ which means that, like most Swifties, I am a hopeless romantic.

I live a very active lifestyle, hitting the gym most mornings at 3am to lift weights. I strive to better myself by 1% every day, whether it’s physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Recently, I’ve gotten into breathwork, and I sauna and ice bath 3 to 4 times a week. These routines have been transformative, and I can’t express how amazing they have been for my mental & emotional well-being.

So what should you expect me to write about?

In this blog, I’ll share mostly share thoughts on things that are important to me, and sometimes I’ll just write about something that is moving me in either a good or bad way. You’ll never know what the next post will be. Here are some trends that will come up regularly though:

Day-to-Day Growth: Sharing insights and experiences from my daily life.

Leadership: Both in and out of the workplace, exploring what it means to lead with empathy and integrity.

Relationships: The trials and tribulations of relationships, and the lessons learned along the way.

Psychology: A basic, often fictitious exploration of psychological concepts.

Parenting: Celebrating the wins and losses of single parenting my little legend, and the challenges of co-parenting.

Mental Health and Self-Care: Championing and spreading awareness about the importance of mental health.

Friendship: The power of having close friends who align with and empower your values.

Financial Planning: My journey towards financial independence and early retirement.

Travel: Exploring the world for spiritual growth and love.

I might not have anything particularly profound to say, but considering that profundity is completely subjective, I’m sure you won’t mind.

Why “The Integrated Masculine Man”?

The name of this came from a Devine Feminine Woman who once called me this. To be honest, I had no idea what it meant at the time. This person told me that I embodied all the qualities of an integrated masculine man, without even knowing it.

ChatGPT defines an Integrated Masculine Man as:

“someone who has developed a balanced and healthy expression of masculinity, integrating both strength and vulnerability, leadership and humility, assertiveness and empathy. Rather than adhering strictly to outdated or stereotypical norms of manhood, an integrated masculine man embraces emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and personal growth, while still embodying traditionally masculine traits like resilience, confidence, and decisiveness.

This integration allows him to navigate different aspects of life—relationships, work, and personal challenges—without being constrained by rigid gender expectations. He is grounded in his identity, respects others, and possesses the capacity for self-reflection, meaning he doesn’t shy away from confronting his flaws or areas for improvement. Overall, he represents a holistic, evolved version of masculinity that is both empowering and nurturing.”

Sitting with this definition, I certainly feel I embody a lot of these qualities, whilst some could certainly be worked on. That’s all a part of this journey though.

If you’ve made it this far… you have my genuine heartfelt gratitude. I look forward to sharing more with you and growing together. Please feel free to leave comments, share your thoughts, or say nothing at all! This is definitely a journey of self-improvement, but road-trips are always more fun with company!

– TIMM