I used to tell myself I was going to make a lot of money. Even as a kid, I had this quiet belief that I would find a way to create wealth. Not for status or flash, but because I wanted to take care of the people around me. I wanted options. I wanted freedom. I wanted to build something that mattered and not have to ask for permission to live life on my own terms. But at the same time, I grew up hearing all the usual noise. “Money is the root of all evil.” “Rich people are greedy.” “If you care about helping people, you shouldn’t do it for money.” “Don’t chase money, chase purpose.” And slowly, without even realising it, those ideas started to embed themselves. So while one part of me was dreaming big and wanting to provide, another part was quietly sabotaging, afraid that maybe having money meant I’d lose my values, or become someone I didn’t want to be. This is the silent conflict so many men carry. On the surface, we’re trying to grow our income or get more stable. But underneath it all, we’ve internalised beliefs that money is dirty, that wealth makes us less grounded, or that somehow we’re not meant to have it. Here’s the truth though. Money isn’t evil. It isn’t good either. It’s neutral. It’s a tool. A resource. A mirror. It reflects whatever we bring into it. If we’re wounded, insecure, or ashamed, money becomes a way we avoid, prove, or compensate. If we’re clean, mission-driven, and grounded, money becomes a way we serve more, create more, and expand our reach. Some men avoid money because they don’t believe they deserve it. Some chase money because they think it will finally make them feel worthy. In both cases, the issue isn’t money. It’s identity. When your self-worth is tied to your output, or your bank balance, you will always be at war with yourself. You’ll burn out, shrink back, or stay stuck in guilt about wanting more. But when you heal those deeper stories and see yourself clearly, everything shifts. You stop pretending you don’t care about money.

When I started my current job (I am a youth worker) I decided that I was going to be assertive. In the past I had sat back and was passive. If I didn't agree with something I would hold it in. So with this new job, I asked questions and started saying something when it didn't align with my values or the company policy. Recently, due to personal stress I found myself reacting out of fear. I reported safety issues that I feel are valid but I did it in a way that was inpatient and demanding. I feel like this was a good learning opportunity and I am slowly trying to find ways of building a relationship again with my managers. I would like to know what peoples thoughts are on this topic?