Stop Paying the Authenticity Tax How building on your natural strengths beats fixing weaknesses (and saves your sanity)

Hi! I’m a recovering people-pleasing control freak who crashed and burned every January. Here’s what I do now to avoid that.

Ready?

Don't Set New Goals in 2026—Do This Instead Goal Reset 2025: How to Finish What You Started

Everyone's about to tell you to set new goals for 2026.

I'm telling you the opposite.

Find out why...

4 Ways Laughter Can Make Things Better: Even in the Most Stressful Moments Finding resilience through the joy of laughter.

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.

Why You're Afraid to Heal (And What It's Costing You) The familiar pain you cling to is blocking your resilience.

Healing can be scary. Here's why and what you can do about it.

What a wonderful time of solitude to rest and reset.

That's sounds like a fantastic dessert!

That's a great tip!

It'a a beautiful arrangement!

Seafood boil! 🙌🏾

I'll never forget it. I was a young stay at home wife and mom. I usually never had time to watch T.V. keeping up with my kids. But, I was glued to it in shock that day.

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.

It's time to talk about it.
open.substack.com/pub/mjspeaks...

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 .

Finally, the work day is done! Ready to settle in.
#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.

If your agenda disregards the people it affects, you've missed the point.

Make you resolution now.

Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas, Bluesky friends! Can you help me out? Our family has a tradition of making gingerbread houses. Please vote for your favorite! 😊🎄

Gotta do it!

Full scope for better understanding...

Congratulations!!!

Whose done Christmas shopping?

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.

Exactly. 😏

"Learn how to lose, man!"

The thanksgiving plate of a bodybuilder (my son). Lol... He took care of that turkey leg! lol... #Blacksky