By A.L. Childers
It Wasn’t Just the Air Fresheners, Y’all We survived lawn darts, metal monkey bars, and powdered milk—but no one warned us about endocrine disruptors in our shampoo. Gen Xers grew up tough, but even we weren’t ready for what came next: PFAS, phthalates, xenoestrogens, and microplastics in places they were never meant to be.
Now we’re trying to heal decades of toxic exposure without losing our minds or our savings. If you’ve got joint pain, hormone chaos, mystery weight gain, or thyroid flare-ups, it’s not just “getting older.” It’s time to detox with wisdom, wit, and a little Gen X grit.
Why Gen X Is Waking Up Now We didn’t grow up in a “clean living” culture. We grew up in a “use Windex on everything and drink from the hose” culture. But now?
- Our hormones are on a rollercoaster
- Our hair is falling out
- Our kids have food allergies we never heard of
And suddenly, we’re realizing clean living isn’t a trend—it’s survival.
Step 1: Detox Your Water, Not Your Wallet Tap water today often contains PFAS, heavy metals, chlorine, and even trace pharmaceuticals. Start small:
- Use a Brita or PUR if that’s what the budget allows
- Upgrade to a Berkey or reverse osmosis when you can
- Avoid bottled water in plastic (hello, microplastics!)
Step 2: Say Goodbye to Fake Fragrances If your lotion, laundry detergent, or plug-in air freshener lists “fragrance” without details, you’re likely getting a dose of hormone-disrupting phthalates.
- Switch to fragrance-free or essential oil-based products
- Use baking soda and vinegar for household cleaning
- Your house should smell like peace—not chemical peaches
Step 3: The Label Reading Revolution We used to shop by price. Now? We shop like detectives.
- Avoid ingredients you can’t pronounce (Google is your BFF)
- Look out for parabens, sulfates, and dyes in personal care
- Ditch plastics with BPA and switch to glass or stainless steel
Step 4: Clean Eating on a Gen X Budget We remember when $5 could feed a family. Now that it barely buys lettuce, try these:
- Buy in bulk: beans, rice, oats, frozen veggies
- Shop Aldi, local farmers markets, and discount stores
- Cook at home (your Crock-Pot is your 80s bestie reborn)
Step 5: Protect Your Peace, Too Clean living isn’t just physical—it’s mental.
- Unplug from doomscrolling and toxic people
- Spend time outdoors and move your body
- Meditate, pray, or just breathe deep like it’s 1987 and you’re hiding in your room from your siblings
Resources & References:
- EWG.org: Environmental Working Group product ratings
- MadeSafe.org: Product safety certifications
- NIEHS.nih.gov: Research on endocrine disruptors
About the Author: A.L. Childers is a Southern-rooted truth-teller, bestselling author, and lifelong survivor of both government cheese and thyroid dysfunction. She writes with humor, heart, and a heavy dose of “bless your heart but here’s the truth.”
🛒 Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/alchilders
📚 Related Books:
- It Wasn’t a Diet—It Was Just Being Broke: A Gen X Survival Memoir
- From Tap Water to Thyroid Wreckage: What’s Really Making Us Gain Weight
- Silent Struggles: Navigating Parenthood with Undiagnosed Neurodivergence
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your trusted healthcare provider before making major lifestyle changes.
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