Fellas,
The last couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about the weight we carry — the grind, the silence, the pressure to hold it all together — and what happens when we finally start being honest about it.
This week, I want to talk about something that took me years to learn: how to stay aware before life forces you to stop.
Because here’s the truth: life will stop you if you don’t stop yourself.
For me, self-awareness didn’t come from a book or a quote.
It came from those quiet moments when I realized I couldn’t keep living the way I was living.
It came from waking up one day and feeling disconnected from my own body.
From noticing how I was reacting instead of responding.
From seeing how I’d lose patience with the people I loved most — not because they did anything wrong, but because I hadn’t given myself space to breathe. To reset.
That’s what self-awareness does. It gives us space.
It helps us see what’s really going on inside before it spills out everywhere else.
Here are a few practices that keep me aware — daily, consistently, without overcomplicating it:
1. I check in before I check out.
Every morning, before I touch my phone or jump into the day, I ask myself one question:
“What’s my energy like today?”
That one question helps me lead my day instead of my day leading me.
2. I pause when I feel rushed.
When I catch myself trying to push through a task just to get it done, I stop.
I take a deep breath and remind myself: speed without presence doesn’t lead to peace.
3. I move to process.
Some days that means a full workout. Other days it’s stretching, walking, or just sitting outside in silence.
Movement helps me feel what I’ve been avoiding — and release it before it builds up.
4. I reflect at night.
Before I go to sleep, I ask:
“Did I move closer to the man I’m becoming today… or further away?”
That question keeps me honest. It reminds me that awareness isn’t about judgment. It’s about growth.
These are simple practices, but they’ve changed the way I live.
They’ve helped me stay grounded even when life gets chaotic.
Because self-awareness doesn’t just make you calm — it keeps you centered.
It gives you control back.
It helps you stop reacting from pain and start responding from purpose.
So if this hits home for you — if you’re ready to start living with more awareness, clarity, and peace — I want to invite you into something I’m building.
A space where men can have these real conversations.
Where we can talk openly about fatherhood, health, pressure, marriage, and everything in between — and actually grow through it together.
Stay grounded,
Keshaun
