travel

GenX Travel Adventures: From Nostalgia to New Discoveries

06/23/2024 04:19 AM Central
AJ Flanagan
adventure travel, bucket list travel, couples travel, GenerationX, GenX, GenX travel, Nostalgia and Memory, nostalgic destinations, road trip itineraries, travel, travel tips for GenXers
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Rediscover the joy of travel as a couple now that our kids are getting older or we find ourselves as empty nesters. Traveling without children opens up a world of possibilities, allowing us to focus on what truly excites us. Embrace romantic getaways, adventurous treks, or relaxing retreats without the constraints of nap times or picky eaters.

Inspired by iconic 70s and 80s movies, historical events, and popular personalities from our youth, we have a tapestry of cultural references to guide our travels. Explore fascinating destinations such as New Zealand’s landscapes from "The Lord of the Rings," Berlin’s Cold War history, or Graceland in Memphis. These experiences offer a nostalgic connection and new adventures waiting to be discovered.

For those of us who cherish road trips, scenic routes like Route 66 and California’s Pacific Coast Highway evoke nostalgic memories and create new ones. Create a travel bucket list with a mix of relaxing and thrilling activities, balancing your budget and time constraints. Whether visiting historic Tombstone, Arizona, or setting realistic travel goals, it’s time to embrace flexibility, intimacy, and the enriching experience of traveling as a GenX couple. Ready to start your next adventure? Share your travel bucket list and favorite nostalgic destinations in the comments below!

Travel, Hotels, Bad Smells, and Making a Shift in the Right Direction

Aug 28, 2023 08:47 AM Central
AJ Flanagan
Alaska, All-natural products, Canada, chemical, clean and safe, green cleaning, Holistic Living, hotel, Make a Shift, Natural alternatives, Natural Cleaning, scents, sustainable home, Thieves Household Cleaner, travel, Young Living, Young Living
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In a recent blog post, the writer shares their eye-opening experience while traveling and staying in hotels with harsh chemical cleaners and air fresheners. They express their relief at not having to deal with the overwhelming scents and headaches associated with those products since they made the switch to Young Living's natural alternatives. The writer praises Young Living's Thieves Household Cleaner for its effectiveness and safety for their family and the environment. They encourage readers to consider making the switch to natural alternatives and even provide a link and coupon code for ordering Young Living products. The writer invites readers to stay updated on their wellness and holistic living journey by signing up for blog notifications.

✨ 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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