Buh-Bye, MJ

a front porch with the evening lights at dusk

Written by, Jen B.

Dear MJ,

Goodbye. I have decided that I am better off without you. Kicking you off my porch and out of my car felt freeing today. I don’t need you to enjoy my walk — it’s more peaceful without you. I don’t want you clouding my judgment ever again. You are no longer fun to hang out with; you make me feel bad about myself and you rob me of my energy. I don’t need or want you in my life anymore. Stay gone.

My prayers for your dealers. May they be happy, healthy and free. In case you try to contact me, I will simply block you and tell on you to a real friend. I hate what you’ve done to me these past few months; toying with me and kicking me — hard — in my vulnerable under belly. I am grateful for the medicine you once were but that therapy is through. I’m on to bigger and better things; I know this breakup won’t be easy but I also know I’m not alone — EVER!

Buh-Bye, Jen B.

Published in A New Leaf – March 2026

More Articles

  • A New Leaf on Life

    Written by, Anonymous My journey into recovery starts as a pre-teen. I was a survivor of childhood cancer– a kidney cancer– and my parents were superstitious so they did not tell me about my cancer until my pediatrician shamed them about this when I turned 10, 6 years after my treatment. I did not know…

    A New Leaf on Life
  • The Sandbar

    Written by, Anonymous She woke up and found herself alone in a rowboat, stranded on a sandbar with only food and water by her side. She wasn’t quite sure how she ended up there. She thought once the tide came in, “I can make my way to shore. I don’t need help or assistance.” As…

    The Sandbar
  • Heard in a Meeting

    “We recover by the steps we take, not the meetings we make.” Published in A New Leaf – August 2025

    Heard in a Meeting
  • Step One

    Written by, Anna T. I have admitted that I am powerless over cocaine, marijuana, my boyfriend and all mind altering drugs.   My life is/was out of control – I couldn’t handle my bills and my relationship with my boyfriend. I was having a hard time getting up for work.  I was becoming co-dependent and resentful…

    Step One
  • THOUGHTS FROM THE FIELD 

    “Freedom from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind altering substances” Written by, Carol M. There was quite a brouhaha about that statement a couple of years ago. Los Angeles County MA had incorporated and the four main groups of recovering pot addicts were unifying.  We had a meeting in Balboa Park and the Board of…

    THOUGHTS FROM THE FIELD 
  • The Story of the Lotus Eaters

    Written by, Janet F. About 3000 years ago, the poet Homer told a story about a man called Odysseus, and his travels as he returned home to Greece from the Trojan Wars.  He and his men met up with many adventures along the way, but one I always remembered was when he and his crew…

    The Story of the Lotus Eaters