M J
@mjspeakslife.bsky.social
Writer • Chaplain • Coach
Helping the stretched-thin manage stress, set boundaries, and heal.
Newsletter: mjspeakslife.substack.com
Helping the stretched-thin manage stress, set boundaries, and heal.
Newsletter: mjspeakslife.substack.com
Hi! I’m a recovering people-pleasing control freak who crashed and burned every January. Here’s what I do now to avoid that.
Stop Paying the Authenticity Tax
How building on your natural strengths beats fixing weaknesses (and saves your sanity)
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Hi! I’m a recovering people-pleasing control freak who crashed and burned every January. Here’s what I do now to avoid that.
Everyone's about to tell you to set new goals for 2026.
I'm telling you the opposite.
Find out why...
I'm telling you the opposite.
Find out why...
Don't Set New Goals in 2026—Do This Instead
Goal Reset 2025: How to Finish What You Started
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Everyone's about to tell you to set new goals for 2026.
I'm telling you the opposite.
Find out why...
I'm telling you the opposite.
Find out why...
In the toughest of times, a little levity can lighten the load and clear your thoughts for increased productivity and solutions. Read more.
4 Ways Laughter Can Make Things Better: Even in the Most Stressful Moments
Finding resilience through the joy of laughter.
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
In the toughest of times, a little levity can lighten the load and clear your thoughts for increased productivity and solutions. Read more.
After checking your To Do List for what isn't done, take 5 minutes to release the stored stress from the day: body movement without pain, brain dump journaling, vocal expression. Then, intentionally acknowledge each of your accomplishments, and what you're thankful for. Tell me how it goes.
December 13, 2025 at 2:24 AM
After checking your To Do List for what isn't done, take 5 minutes to release the stored stress from the day: body movement without pain, brain dump journaling, vocal expression. Then, intentionally acknowledge each of your accomplishments, and what you're thankful for. Tell me how it goes.
Healing can be scary. Here's why and what you can do about it.
Why You're Afraid to Heal (And What It's Costing You)
The familiar pain you cling to is blocking your resilience.
open.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Healing can be scary. Here's why and what you can do about it.
When I think about challenges, I rarely consider them a gift. Yet, I must admit in the end, I am stronger because of them. Most times, the only way over is through.
September 3, 2025 at 6:35 PM
When I think about challenges, I rarely consider them a gift. Yet, I must admit in the end, I am stronger because of them. Most times, the only way over is through.
Don't listen to the inner critic. Even broken vessels can carry water. Your cracks don’t disqualify you — they make you more human, more real, more able to pour out hope.
September 1, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Don't listen to the inner critic. Even broken vessels can carry water. Your cracks don’t disqualify you — they make you more human, more real, more able to pour out hope.
It's time to talk about it.
open.substack.com/pub/mjspeaks...
open.substack.com/pub/mjspeaks...
September 1, 2025 at 11:46 AM
It's time to talk about it.
open.substack.com/pub/mjspeaks...
open.substack.com/pub/mjspeaks...
Finally, the work day is done! Ready to settle in.
#Rest
#Rest
a baby is laying on a couch with his hands behind his head and wearing a tom jerry shirt .
ALT: a baby is laying on a couch with his hands behind his head and wearing a tom jerry shirt .
media.tenor.com
August 19, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Finally, the work day is done! Ready to settle in.
#Rest
#Rest
I'm addicted to late-night writing. In the stillness, I pause, process, and prepare for what’s next. That’s when the words flow easily.
August 18, 2025 at 5:31 AM
I'm addicted to late-night writing. In the stillness, I pause, process, and prepare for what’s next. That’s when the words flow easily.
If your agenda disregards the people it affects, you've missed the point.
March 29, 2025 at 4:01 AM
If your agenda disregards the people it affects, you've missed the point.
Make you resolution now.
January 1, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Make you resolution now.
Merry Christmas, Bluesky friends! Can you help me out? Our family has a tradition of making gingerbread houses. Please vote for your favorite! 😊🎄
December 25, 2024 at 1:15 PM
Merry Christmas, Bluesky friends! Can you help me out? Our family has a tradition of making gingerbread houses. Please vote for your favorite! 😊🎄
Full scope for better understanding...
December 19, 2024 at 2:53 AM
Full scope for better understanding...
Whose done Christmas shopping?
December 17, 2024 at 2:35 AM
Whose done Christmas shopping?
Everyone has weak moments, but you keep getting stronger. Hang in there!
December 3, 2024 at 12:56 AM
Everyone has weak moments, but you keep getting stronger. Hang in there!
Whoa... No one wakes up and says today I'm joining a cult. Be mindful and don't be afraid to ask for help.
I was in a cult for 6 years.
What it came down to was being lost, intense familial pressure, desiring a sense of belonging, and community when I had never felt I had any.
And after that, fear. Crippling fear.
I didn’t stay because I believed. I stayed because I was afraid. Fear is an idol too.
What it came down to was being lost, intense familial pressure, desiring a sense of belonging, and community when I had never felt I had any.
And after that, fear. Crippling fear.
I didn’t stay because I believed. I stayed because I was afraid. Fear is an idol too.
I don’t know how people get involved with cults.
December 2, 2024 at 11:54 PM
Whoa... No one wakes up and says today I'm joining a cult. Be mindful and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Exactly. 😏
Yet women are tagged with being “emotional”.
November 30, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Exactly. 😏
"Learn how to lose, man!"
On-field footage of the Michigan/OSU brawl via umgoblog/X
November 30, 2024 at 9:26 PM
"Learn how to lose, man!"
Happy Thanksgiving, BlueSky!
November 28, 2024 at 9:06 PM
Happy Thanksgiving, BlueSky!
