Beyond the Moustache: A Ten-Minute Movember Check-In
If you are growing a moustache this November, good. It starts conversations, and conversations are the point. If you are not, there is a ten-minute version that matters just as much, and you can do it on your own.
The ten-minute check-in
Find a quiet ten minutes. Write down the answers to three questions. Nobody has to read them but you.
1. How have I been sleeping? Not perfectly, just honestly. Are you falling asleep late, waking early, or tired even after a full night? Note what you notice, without judging it.
2. What have I been putting off? A check-up. A phone call. A decision. A conversation. Write the list, even if it is long. Most of us carry more of these than we admit.
3. Who could I talk to about it? A friend, a family member, a colleague you trust, or a qualified professional. Name one person. Naming them is half of the work.
Then pick one small thing
Look at the list from the second question and choose the smallest item. Not the most important, the smallest. Do it this week. A booked appointment, a message sent, a form filled in. Small steps are easier to repeat.
If asking feels awkward
Many men find the first sentence the hardest. A few starting points:
- "I have been meaning to ask you something."
- "This is a bit awkward, but..."
- "Do you have ten minutes this week?"
Asking early and privately is usually easier than it sounds.
A private place to start
MenGO is a private, science-based companion for men's personal health, with reliable information and access to qualified specialists. It is for information and awareness, not medical advice. If you are worried about anything, or if you are struggling, please speak to a doctor or a trusted professional. If you ever feel you may be in danger, contact your local emergency services.
International Men's Day is on 19 November. What is the one thing you will stop putting off this month?
