Joey Ra

Cambodia Coaching Institute 2023-24 year in review + Khmer New Year update.

I asked this question on my IG story 12 months ago. Since then I've been on an eye-opening discovery of just how hated masculinity is in large parts of society.

I'd heard of "man-hating" over the years but honestly had just been attributing it to misogynists moaning. It was a bit of a shock to discover that I'd also subconsciously internalised "man-hating", rejecting parts of my own masculinity and not owning it fully (societal pressures + father issues).

I'm on a journey of recovering and accepting my masculinity fully. I've noticed it can sometimes trigger even the most accepting of women. When that's happened, I've managed to address it together with many of them with compassion both ways. I've also noticed assumptions and judgements from newer people in my life. I also try to channel compassion in those moments - often judgement and assumption comes from their own pain.

I'm learning to love masculinity. Really love it. I've always been a feminist and celebrate feminity in society. Now I believe I cannot truly be a feminist or celebrate feminity without also celebrating its counterpart - masculinity. My invitation for us all, men and women alike, is to love both the yin and the yang. If we do not love both, we cannot truly love one.