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MOMENTUM BLOG
Ideas, Stories & Ways To Keep Moving Forward
Explore honest insights, practical advice and stories about friendship, wellbeing, confidence, connection and life as a man.


The Journey of Change: Why Showing Up Matters
For a lot of men, the hardest part isn’t knowing something needs to change.
It’s doing something about it.
Not because they don’t want to.
But because:
They’re unsure what it’ll be like
They don’t know anyone there
It feels slightly outside their normal routine
So the idea stays as an idea.
“I might go at some point.”
“I’ll check it out another time.”
And nothing changes.
Alan Stokes
Jul 223 min read


“You Don’t Need Therapy — You Need Connection (Here’s Why)”
When something feels off, the default advice is often:
“Maybe you should talk to someone.”
And for some people, that’s exactly what helps.
But for a lot of men, the response is different.
Not resistant.
Not dismissive.
Just… not quite right.
Because the issue they’re experiencing isn’t always something that needs to be analysed or unpacked.
More often than not, it’s something much simpler.
They’re missing connection.
Alan Stokes
Jul 153 min read


“Why Opening Up Feels So Uncomfortable (And What To Do Instead)”
“Just open up.”
It’s common advice.
Simple. Direct. Well-intended.
But for a lot of men, it doesn’t feel simple at all.
In fact, it can feel:
Unnatural
Forced
Uncomfortable
Even unnecessary
So instead of helping, it often creates resistance.
And that raises a better question:
Why does opening up feel so difficult in the first place?
Alan Stokes
Jul 83 min read


“Always Busy, Never Fulfilled: The Modern Man’s Trap”
A lot of men are busy.
Work is full.
Days are structured.
There’s always something to do.
From the outside, it can look like things are going well.
But underneath that, there’s a different experience.
A sense that despite everything being in place…
Something still isn’t quite right.
Alan Stokes
Jul 13 min read


Making Friends After 30: Finding Connection in Plymouth
Making friends used to be straightforward.
School. College. Work. Sport.
You were around people regularly, and connection happened naturally.
There wasn’t much thought involved.
But at some point—usually in your 30's—that changes.
Not dramatically.
Just enough to notice that:
It’s not as easy as it used to be.
Alan Stokes
Jun 243 min read


When Your Social Life Disappears Without You Noticing
It doesn’t usually happen suddenly.
There’s no clear moment where you think:
“That’s it. My social life’s gone.”
It’s more gradual than that.
You get busy.
Life fills up.
Priorities shift.
And somewhere along the way, without really noticing…
Your social life fades into the background.
Alan Stokes
Jun 173 min read


Why Men Don’t Talk (And What Actually Helps Instead)
“Men just don’t talk.”
It’s something you hear a lot.
Said casually.
Repeated often.
Almost accepted as fact.
But when you look closer, it’s not quite true.
Because men do talk.
Just not always in the way people expect.
And not always in environments that make it easy.
Alan Stokes
Jun 34 min read


Ways to Make New Friends with Momentum
Making new friends as an adult can feel tricky. Life gets busy, routines settle in, and chances to meet new people seem rare. But building friendships is worth the effort. It brings support, fun, and a sense of belonging. The key is to create momentum—small steps that lead to lasting connections. I want to share some practical ways to do just that, especially if you’re in Plymouth and looking for a community of like-minded men over 30.
Alan Stokes
Jun 24 min read


How to Get Over a Relationship Breakdown and Find Your Way Forward
Breaking up is tough. It shakes your world and leaves you feeling lost. If you’re a man over 30 in Plymouth, you might find yourself wondering how to move on, how to heal, and how to rebuild your life. I’ve been there, and I want to share some honest, practical advice that helped me and many others find a way through the pain.
Alan Stokes
May 294 min read


Discover the Value of Local Men's Community Groups in Plymouth
When I first heard about local men's community groups in Plymouth, I was a bit skeptical. I thought, "Do I really need a group to hang out with other blokes?" But as I got involved, I quickly realised these groups offer so much more than just a place to meet. They create a space where men over 30 can connect, share, and support each other in ways that everyday life often doesn’t allow.
If you’re feeling a bit isolated or just want to find a community that understands the u
Alan Stokes
May 284 min read


The Pressure of Being the Strong One
I think a lot of men quietly break under pressure long before anybody notices.
Not because they are weak.
But because they become too good at hiding it.
Over the last few years, I found myself carrying pressures from every direction at once.
Alan Stokes
May 214 min read


Why So Many Men Feel Lonely — Even When Life Looks Fine
On the surface, a lot of men are doing fine.
They’re working. Providing. Showing up for their families. Getting on with things.
From the outside, life looks steady—even successful.But underneath that, something else is going on.
A quiet kind of loneliness that doesn’t always look like loneliness.
Not isolation in the obvious sense. Not sitting alone with no one around.
But a lack of real connection.
A sense that something’s missing—without being able to fully explain what it
Alan Stokes
May 204 min read


Learn about the Benefits of Joining Momentum Men Support Group in Plymouth
MoMENtum Men’s Support Group helps men 30+ in Plymouth beat loneliness, build real friendships, share experiences, and feel supported.
Alan Stokes
Jan 255 min read


Living Alone as a Man: How to Beat Loneliness Without Losing Yourself
Living alone as a man often looks fine from the outside. You’re working. You’re paying the bills. You’re “getting on with it.”No drama. No crisis. No obvious problems. And yet, many men quietly admit the same thing once they feel safe enough to say it: “It just gets a bit empty.” This article is for men who live alone — whether by choice, circumstance, or life transition — and who want real connection without therapy jargon, forced vulnerability, or being told to ‘just talk m
Alan Stokes
Jan 134 min read


Exploring the Benefits of Men's Community Groups
When life gets busy and responsibilities pile up, it’s easy to feel isolated. Many of us crave connection but don’t always know where to find it. That’s where men's groups come in. These groups offer a space to share, support, and grow together. They’re about more than just meeting up - they create a sense of belonging and purpose. Joining a men's community group can be a game-changer. It’s a place where men over 30 in Plymouth can find friendship, encouragement, and practic
Alan Stokes
Oct 31, 20253 min read
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