My passion is to help families to create longevity in their relationships by offering workshops that are tailored specifically for men and other workshops for women focusing on Emotional Intelligence. The first workshop is a two-day workshop focusing on emotional intelligence, and how boys are raised to become men functioning in today’s society. Thus understanding emotional intelligence in relation to masculinity, and how one relates to the self versus, ultimately, relating to others.

I believe that space needs to be created to afford men the opportunities to have conversations around emotional intelligence, dealing with trauma and how to relate to self and others in a healthy way. Most men struggle to identify, articulate and express how they are feeling or to
confess that they are struggling about something in the first place. This comes from societal pressure of what it means to be a man. And them not wanting to seem less than “masculine”. The space that I envision is that where men can narrate their own different experiences of how they relate to the concept of masculinity. This approach will help to foster a better understanding of the self, past traumas and how one can relate to emotions and regulation thereafter.

Ultimately making for a better partner, and having a healthier relationship with the self. This is geared towards helping the entire family as when one has a healthier understanding and relating to self, they are at a better place to better understand and relate to their spouse and children. This also applies to having better relationships with colleagues, especially if one is at management level.

The above applies to the women groups as well. I separate these two groups as males and females are at times raised differently. I see this as helping the entire family as parents can then better relate to each other, fostering a healthy environment to raising children who are emotionally inclined, regulated and expressive. These workshops were fostered from the aim of having a positive contribution to current issues that are affecting the entire world. South Africa specifically, such as femicide, intimate partner violence, male suicides, and the prevalence of addiction in males.

When it comes to women there is also the prevalence of suicides, mental illness and women loosing themselves because society has boxed them into what being the “perfect” woman should look like – someone who walks in the shadow of a man instead of someone who is empowered so that they can be the best companion for the man (and vice versa). Thus, the aim with the female workshops is how to be the best version of yourself without worrying that you would be perceived as too independent, or being able to express your emotions without the fear of being perceived as too emotional. Also finding a healthy balance between fitting into your own idea of an ideal partner and honoring yourself by not having to diminish yourself in the process.

When one is mindful, understands and is able to recognize, articulate and regulate their emotions in a healthy manner then they are at a better place to maneuver in environments without being overwhelmed by the triggers that come with such environments. One is able to anchor themselves because they are present to themselves at all times regardless of the turmoil that emotions at times bring.