Simplified Living

The Best Relationships Aren’t Equal… They’re Complementary

The Best Relationships Aren’t Equal… They’re Complementary
Last week I was sitting at my laptop with headphones on, editing audio for an upcoming podcast episode. If you’ve ever edited audio, you already know it’s about as glamorous as filing receipts in your pajamas — but I genuinely enjoy it. Somewhere between...
Read more...

How Needing to Pee Became My Best Strategy for Reprioritizing Life

How Needing to Pee Became My Best Strategy for Reprioritizing Life
I was in the kitchen the other day, staring down a pile of dishes, reminding myself of three emails I hadn’t answered yet, and trying to remember where I put the shopping list… when suddenly my bladder chimed in with:

“Hi... yeah... Whatever we were doing here? Cancel it. We have a new plan.”

And just like that...
Read more...

Life Is Short — And I’m Finally Paying Attention

Life Is Short — And I’m Finally Paying Attention
Life is short — and I don’t mean that in the cliché “Live, Laugh, Love” way that belongs on a distressed wooden sign at Hobby Lobby. I mean it in the way you feel it when life yanks the rug out from under you and the air feels too thin to breathe.

It has been one year since Eric died.

And in all the grief, the quiet moments, the ruminating I keep trying not to do, there’s this one truth that keeps coming back to me again and again:

Read more...

Why Surrendering Control Might Be the Best Sleep Aid You Haven’t Tried Yet

Why Surrendering Control Might Be the Best Sleep Aid You Haven’t Tried Yet
You know those nights when your brain just refuses to clock out? You’re exhausted, eyes heavy, but your mind’s wide awake running staff meetings about everything from tomorrow’s to-do list to that thing you said in 2014.

I’ve started realizing that sometimes, the problem isn’t just the caffeine, or the screens, or even stress. It’s control.

Falling asleep is an act of surrender. You can’t plan it, force it, or power through it. You have to let go. And for those of us who like to feel on top of things (hi, fellow control enthusiasts), that can be harder than it sounds.
Read more...

The Weird Rules We Make for Ourselves

The Weird Rules We Make for Ourselves
We all have them — those weird little life rules that don’t make a whole lot of sense to anyone else, but feel totally normal to us. They’re not written down anywhere. No one announced them at a family meeting. They just… appeared. And once they do, they stick.

The funny thing is, these invisible rules show up in nearly every part of life — our homes, our kitchens, our routines, even the way we interact with strangers. It’s one of those quirks that makes us human. So today, I’m calling them out. Because if we can’t laugh at our own strange little systems, what’s the point?
Read more...
 
Read Older Posts

✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.

 Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.


Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things. 

 Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.

*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.

Hi! I'm AJ Flanagan.

 
Hey there! I’m a GenX empty-nester - and recent widow - who had a wake-up call about the hidden toxins in everyday products we used growing up. Our parents didn’t know, and honestly, we were clueless too. But now, I’m all about sharing the details and helping others kick those sneaky chemicals to the curb for a healthier, happier life. 🌿

Life threw us a curveball in 2018 when my amazing husband, Eric, was diagnosed with leukemia. And then a second type of cancer in 2023.  Supporting him through his treatments was challenging, but it also inspired us to make some positive changes. We embraced holistic wellness practices, worked to transform our home into a toxin-free sanctuary, and incorporated relaxation techniques like meditation, music therapy, and aromatherapy into our daily routine.

Caring for and supporting Eric deepened my commitment to living well. From choosing natural products and prioritizing nutritious foods to finding strength in vulnerability, we built a daily routine focused on positivity and wellness. 

I’m passionate about sharing our story, the lessons we learned, and the simple steps we took to enhance our overall well-being.


Creating a Nurturing Space Together

We focused on creating a nurturing environment where both of us could thrive. It was a process of resilience, love, and continuous learning that I'm determined to carry forward from here. I’m eager to share our experiences, the lessons we picked up along the way, and the small changes that made a big difference in our lives. Whether you’re looking to make minor adjustments or dive into a complete wellness transformation, I hope our story can inspire and support you on your own path.

Here’s to embracing change, supporting each other, and living our best lives—together! ✨

Contact

Copyrights © 2025 held by respective copyright holders, including AJ Flanagan.