Stress & Energy

Hot Flashes, Brain Fog, and Sleepless Nights… Is It Just Me?

Hot Flashes, Brain Fog, and Sleepless Nights… Is It Just Me?


The weird thing about this stage of life—whether you call it menopause, perimenopause, or “what the heck is happening to me right now”—is that it sneaks up on you. One day you’re fine, and the next you’re standing in the kitchen thinking, “Wait… why am I in here again?” while wondering if it’s normal to be sweating through your T-shirt at 9 a.m.


Menopausal Woman standing in kitchen, clueless as to why she went in there


It’s subtle at first. A few nights of restless sleep. A little more irritability than usual. Brain fog that makes conversations feel like a mental obstacle course. Then suddenly you’re Googling things like “natural hot flash relief” or “how to sleep better in menopause.”

And when I started talking to friends about it, I realized—oh, it’s not just me. We’re all going through some version of this.


 What My Friends and I Keep Talking About


What My Friends and I Keep Talking About


If you’re reading this and nodding along, you’re probably in or near the same stage of life I’m in. GenX women? Oh, we’ve got a lot on our plates—careers, caregiving, aging parents, empty nests, hormone chaos… and that’s just Monday. Baby Boomers, you’re probably feeling many of these same things, aren’t you?

Welcome to the season of shifting hormones. (Sounds dramatic, right? But wow… it’s real.)

For me, it’s been a slow unraveling. I’ve noticed the mood swings creeping in—usually when I least expect them. I’ve had stretches of sleep that feel more like light dozing and long nights of tossing, turning, and overthinking. And the energy dips? Oof. They hit hard and they don’t care what’s on your to-do list.

We’re in a weird spot—we’re not “young” anymore (although it's all relative, right?), but we’re also not ready to be written off or settle for just getting by. And yet, when it comes to menopause and perimenopause support, so many of the options feel extreme, outdated, or full of ingredients we're just not comfortable with.



 Why I'm starting with the natural things first



Why I’m Starting with the Natural Stuff First


I’ve been on the hunt for something that could help—without jumping straight into synthetic hormone replacements or anything with side effects that read like a warning label. I want something that works with my body, not against it.

That’s why I was drawn to a product called Daily Hormone Essentials. I have only just began taking it—but I’m feeling hopeful because of what’s in it and what it isn’t trying to be.

I’ve been leaning more and more into a natural-first approach in pretty much every area of my life—what I eat, what I put on my skin, the way I handle stress. So it makes sense that I’d want that same kind of support when it comes to hormones.

But it hasn’t been easy to find something that feels right.

That’s why Daily Hormone Essentials caught my eye... it stood out to me because of the ingredients, the clinical studies, and the way it’s formulated to support women through all stages of hormonal change. Not just one little window of time. (It's also a great option for younger women experiencing PMS and  such... at least we've got THAT behind us!) And not with synthetic hormones or a laundry list of side effects.

It’s a once-a-day drink packet—no pills, no added sugar... because the last thing I need is a sugar high on top of a hot flash. It’s a mix of plant extracts, a gentle form of magnesium, and a blend of essential oils—formulated to help with mood, energy, sleep, focus, and those “why am I sweating in public?” moments. Simple, portable, and made to support women through every hormonal phase—not just one part of the cycle.

And because I’m a total label-reader, I dove into the ingredients list. That’s what made me think, okay, this might actually be worth a shot.


 What Made Me Stop and Actually Read the Label


What Made Me Stop and Actually Read the Label



This isn’t necessarily a magic fix, but here’s why it stood out to me:

🍃 Maca root extract – my “get up and go” plant, traditionally used to help with energy, mood, and hormone balance.

🌿 Ashwagandha root extract – the chill-out adaptogen that helps your body handle stress without knocking you out.

🌼 Chaste tree berry extract – supports progesterone balance and can help ease PMS and perimenopause curveballs.

💧 Magnesium glycinate – a gentle form of magnesium that’s good for relaxation, sleep, and keeping muscles happy.

✨ Frankincense² and other pure essential oils – including lavender, clary sage, fennel, and ylang ylang, traditionally used for relaxation and overall well-being

🍇 Rowanberry fruit extract – antioxidant support from a little red berry you may never have even heard about.

🌿 Unique herbal complex – giant angelica, sok-dan, and Wilford’s cynanchum roots, all used in traditional wellness approaches for women.



If you’ve been feeling “off” lately too, I just wanted to say: you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone.



The Part Where I Admit I Don’t Have All the Answers


Honestly? I’m still figuring things out. I’m not interested in throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. I want to feel good again—clear-headed, steady, rested. And I want to get there in a way that feels aligned with how I care for myself.

If you’ve been feeling “off” lately too, I just wanted to say: you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone.

Now, I’m not saying this is the solution for everyone, but I am sure it has potential - especially when I read what other women are saying about their experiences with it. I haven’t been taking it long enough yet to get a good idea of how it is going to help me. But it aligns with how I want to care for my body—gently, naturally, and in a way that feels supportive instead of disruptive.



 Staying Curious and Paying Attention



Staying Curious and Paying Attention


Whether it’s this product or something else entirely, it’s okay to be curious. It’s okay to explore. It’s okay to want to feel like yourself again. I’ll share more once I’ve had the chance to try it a while longer, but for now—if you’re navigating sleep issues, brain fog, mood swings, or hot flashes… I see you. This stage isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but we don’t have to just grit our teeth and get through it. We can talk about it, swap ideas, and figure it out together. And I'd love to have you try Daily Hormone Essentials along with me so we can compare notes and celebrate progress together!

It’s okay to look for support. It’s okay to want to feel like you again.

Finding What Works—for this season, for your body, for your life.

💛 AJ



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If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.

This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.


Want in?

You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).

This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.

 Click here to subscribe and come along for the ride. I’d love to have you in my corner.

Have a question or something to share?

✨ 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.

✨ 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 AJ.

I’m an empty-nester and a widow who had a wake-up call about the hidden toxins in everyday products most of us grew up using. Our parents didn’t know. We didn’t know either. But once you start paying attention, it’s hard to ignore.

Life shifted in 2018 when my husband, Eric, was diagnosed with leukemia — and again in 2023 when we faced a second cancer diagnosis. Supporting him through treatment changed how we looked at just about everything, including how we cared for our home, our bodies, and our day-to-day routines.
We didn’t aim for perfection or extremes. We focused on simple, meaningful changes — reducing toxic load in our home, choosing better ingredients, prioritizing nourishing food, and building calmer rhythms into daily life. Tools like aromatherapy, music, meditation, and intentional rest became part of how we coped and stayed grounded.

Caring for Eric deepened my commitment to living well — not as a trend, but as a way of showing up with intention and grace, even in the hard seasons.

Now I share our story, the lessons we learned, the small changes that made a big difference, and how I'm moving forward. My hope is to make wellness feel more approachable, less overwhelming, and rooted in real life — especially for anyone who wants healthier options without pressure or perfection.

If you’re here to find what actually works for you, you’re in the right place.

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