Tag Archives: #life

Not the End of Your World, My Dear: A Letter to Every Soul Still Fighting

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By Audrey Childers, Author of Roots to Health, Pawsitively Nourished, and The Hypothyroidism Chick Series

Here are days when your body doesn’t feel like home. When your bones ache with fatigue, your thoughts blur like static, and your spirit feels distant, tucked away beneath lab results, medications, and unanswered questions.

I know those days—because I live them too.

Autoimmune battles, hormone imbalances, chronic fatigue—my body and I have been at war. And yet, here I am, still writing, still believing, still building a life worth waking up for. This is not the end of your world, my dear. This is a pause. A breath. A space between what was and what will be.

In the silence of illness, I’ve learned to listen not to the noise of fear, but to the heartbeat of hope.

“You still have life to be lived and the creation of the moment of your memories…and in this challenge, you will embrace the strength of your heart that has always been.”

This is my message to you—and to myself.

Healing doesn’t always come in lightning bolts or miracles. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s just remembering to drink water, to take a slow walk in the sun, to write one sentence, to rest without guilt. It’s finding beauty in the now, even when the now is hard.

As I’ve walked this journey, I’ve written books not just to educate, but to comfort. To remind people (and myself) that health is a layered journey—physical, emotional, and spiritual.

📚 My Books Were Born From My Healing Journey:

  • 🩺 Roots to Health: How I healed my hypothyroidism naturally and cleared my arteries. A raw and real journey through herbs, daily practices, and truth-telling.
  • 🐾 Pawsitively Nourished: A heartfelt cookbook for your dog’s health, born from the loss of my beloved Mandy and my mission to help other fur babies thrive.
  • 💪 The Hypothyroidism Chick Series: Real advice for those navigating thyroid disorders, written for women who feel invisible in the medical system.

About the Author:

I’m Audrey Childers—a Southern-born truth-teller, health warrior, and author who believes in the power of stories to heal. I’ve faced hypothyroidism, heart complications, grief, and exhaustion that no green smoothie could fix. But I’ve also learned to create joy anyway.

I write because I believe there’s always one more sunrise. One more laugh. One more page. One more reason to keep going.

If you’re struggling today, know this: You are not broken. You are becoming. And your story is far from over.

Let’s keep turning the pages—together.

✨ Shop My Books:
Visit My Amazon Author Page – Discover natural healing, soulful reflection, and empowerment in every title.

📝 Stay Connected:
Sign up for updates, blogs, and freebies at TheHypothyroidismChick.com

Disclaimer: This blog is for inspirational and educational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for diagnosis or treatment.

#healingjourney #chronicillnesswarrior #autoimmunesurvivor #thyroidhealth #naturalhealing #audreychilders #thehypothyroidismchick #freckledoracletruths #bookrecommendation #roots2health #pawsitivelynourished #notbrokenbecoming #southernstrength

Gen X and Hypothyroidism: Why Our Generation is Feeling the Burnout

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By A.L. Childers

It’s Not Just Exhaustion—It’s Your Thyroid, Darling
We’re the generation that grew up microwaving fish sticks and fixing our own after-school snacks. Now we’re running households, caregiving for both our kids and our parents—and wondering why we’re bone-tired even after 8 hours of sleep. Gen X is facing a silent epidemic: hypothyroidism.

And no, it’s not just “getting older.” It’s chemical exposure, chronic stress, hormonal changes, and a medical system that told us we were fine when we were falling apart.

The Alarming Rise of Hypothyroidism in Gen X
According to the American Thyroid Association, over 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease—and women are 5 to 8 times more likely to be affected. Most of them? Unaware.

Many of us went undiagnosed in our 20s and 30s. We thought our weight gain, anxiety, or hair loss was just part of life. Now in our 40s and 50s, the symptoms are louder, and we’re finally listening.

Symptoms Gen X Can’t Afford to Ignore

  • Chronic fatigue even after rest
  • Brain fog (losing your keys, forgetting your sentences)
  • Hair thinning or loss
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain despite eating healthy
  • Depression, anxiety, or mood swings

Sound familiar? You’re not lazy. Your thyroid may be crying for help.

The Gen X Factor: Why We’re Vulnerable
We were the first microwave generation. Raised on Velveeta, Kool-Aid, and MSG. Add in endocrine-disrupting chemicals like PFAS, BPA, phthalates, and glyphosate in our food and water, and our thyroids never stood a chance.

Add to that:

  • Perimenopause and menopause transitions
  • Chronic stress and burnout
  • Over-medication and under-testing

No wonder our metabolism clocked out before we did.

Real Food, Real Fixes: What We Can Do

  • Get tested: Ask for a full thyroid panel (not just TSH!)
  • Filter your water: Avoid fluoride and heavy metals
  • Ditch fragrance-loaded products: Switch to clean skincare
  • Eat selenium-rich foods like Brazil nuts and eggs
  • Avoid ultra-processed junk—your thyroid hates it

Hypothyroidism and Hormones: The Hidden Link The thyroid is the thermostat of your body, regulating everything from metabolism to mood. When it’s off, your other hormones—estrogen, progesterone, cortisol—go haywire.

That’s why so many Gen X women are told “it’s just menopause” when in fact, it’s a thyroid storm happening under the surface.

Resources & References

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

📚 Must-Read 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 intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

🔑 SEO Hashtags:
#HypothyroidismAwareness
#GenXHealth
#ThyroidFatigue
#ToxinsAndHormones
#PerimenopauseProblems

🎯 Search Keywords:
“Gen X thyroid symptoms”
“Hormones and hypothyroidism”
“Why am I tired all the time at 40”
“Clean living for hormone balance”
“PFAS and thyroid dysfunction”

🛋️ Mom Therapy Bingo: A Free Printable That Might Just Save Your Relationship (or Ruin a Sunday Brunch)

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(Yes, it’s a funny therapy tool for moms—complete with journaling prompts, sass, and healing vibes)

By A.L. Childers
Author | Overthinking Mother | Creator of “The Freckled Oracle™”

Free printable therapy bingo card for moms with a sense of humor! Perfect for Gen X daughters healing mother wounds, over-apologizing moms, and anyone who needs a laugh while working through trauma. Includes journaling prompts and mental health resources.

Let me start with this truth bomb:

Motherhood is the only job where you’re expected to carry trauma, cook dinner, apologize for your mother’s mistakes, and still remember everyone’s sock preferences.

And if you’ve got a grown kid in therapy (like I do), you start wondering…
Am I the villain in someone else’s healing journey?

Apparently not. I asked.
And I asked again.
And then—because I’m me—I asked a third time just to be sure.

🙋‍♀️ So, Did You Talk About Me in Therapy?

Here’s the thing. My daughter goes to therapy. Not because I made her (Gen X moms don’t get to demand that), but because she’s emotionally intelligent and tired of my “just suck it up” pep talks.

After one of her sessions, I asked:

“Did you talk about me today?”

She looked at me like I’d just asked if she discussed the price of cucumbers.

“No, Mom.”

I took a beat, looked her square in the eye, and said:

“Well then… clearly I failed as a parent.”

And that’s how our Mother-Daughter Emotional Audit™ began—with sarcasm, heart, and a silent prayer that I wasn’t the main character in her therapy trauma arc.

🎉 Introducing: Mom Therapy Bingo (Yes, It’s a Thing)

So what’s a mom to do?
Laugh. Reflect. Repeat.
Preferably with wine and a downloadable worksheet.

That’s why I created a FREE printable called “Mom Therapy Bingo”—a fun way to process those slightly awkward post-therapy convos and lean into the healing (without making it weird).

You’ll find bingo squares like:

  • “Mentions childhood snacks”
  • “Asks if you ever talk about her in therapy”
  • “Says ‘You’re too sensitive’”
  • “Texts you a meme after an argument”
  • “Cries but says she’s not crying”

It’s funny. It’s warm. And it just might open up a conversation you didn’t even know you needed.

Alt text for image: funny bingo card for therapy moms – healing through humor

👉 Download Your Free Mom Therapy Bingo Card Here

✍️ Bonus: Journaling Prompts That Don’t Judge

If you’re ready to go deeper (or just don’t want to make eye contact during dinner), I’ve also created a journaling companion to help you process the big stuff:

  • What did your mom do right?
  • What did she miss?
  • What have you carried that you’re finally ready to put down?

🎁 Click here to download the companion journaling PDF

💬 Healing Tools for Moms (Who Use Humor as a Coping Mechanism)

Let’s be real—some of us process trauma by crying.
Some of us process it by reorganizing the spice rack.
And some of us make Bingo cards and write blogs.

Whatever your process is, I see you. And I want to share a few resources that have helped me and my daughter along the way:

❤️ Mental Health Support Links:

You don’t have to go it alone. And you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of healing.

💖 Final Thoughts from One Healing Mama to Another

If your child is in therapy, that’s not a failure.
It’s a family success story in progress.

And if they never talk about you?
Well… you either nailed it, or they’re saving you for season two.

Either way, download the bingo card. Write a little. Laugh a lot.
Because breaking cycles can be beautiful—even when it’s messy.

With wine, wisdom, and warm sarcasm,
A.L. Childers
☀️ Author of “Silent Struggles,” “The Hidden Empire,” “Roots to Health,” and more
📚 Amazon Author Page
🌐 TheHypothyroidismChick.com

⚠️ Disclaimer (Because This Is Real Life)

This blog is written with humor and love, but depression and trauma are serious matters. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a licensed mental health provider or emergency support. Therapy is a personal and powerful tool—and joking about it doesn’t minimize its value. It makes it more human.

The Ones Who Showed Up—and the Ones Who Slept In

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The Ones Who Showed Up—and the Ones Who Slept In
By A.L. Childers | The Freckled Oracle™ – Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom
www.TheHypothyroidismChick.com

Let’s hear it for the kids who never missed a day—and the ones who missed all the days that ended in “Y.” 😄

This is a tribute to the loyal classroom soldiers and the hallway Houdinis—because school was a different kind of battlefield, and we all had our own way of surviving it.

Take my childhood best friend, Vanessa Scott, for example. Straight outta Bennettsville, South Carolina, this girl had twelve solid years of perfect attendance. Rain, sleet, stomach bugs, full moons, bad cafeteria food—Vanessa was there. Her record was so clean it practically sparkled. Her desk had tenure. If there was an attendance Olympics, she would’ve taken the gold by 6th grade.

And then… there was me.
A proud member of the “always out” club. I wasn’t sick—I was spiritually unavailable. I saw those early-morning bells as more of a suggestion. Some days, I just needed to be on a personal field trip to the couch with my thoughts (and maybe The Price Is Right).

I called them “mental health days” before it was trendy. I was ahead of my time, y’all.

But even though Vanessa was always in, and I was frequently out, we were inseparable. We became best friends in kindergarten—circa 1977—and have been tight ever since. Yin and yang. Honor roll and hallway runner. I still remember walking to the Ice House together for snacks, which only true Bennettsville folks will remember. (Hot fries, Big K soda, and a dream. That’s the real lunch special.)

Our friendship wasn’t about being the same. It was about showing up for each other—even when I didn’t show up to class.

It’s funny to look back now and realize how different our paths were. She was the model student, the ever-present pillar of consistency. I was the freckled escape artist with a tendency to emotionally evaporate when science class rolled around. And yet—our connection never missed a beat.

So here’s to the ones who sat in the front row, and the ones who were probably still home, finishing their cereal at noon.
Here’s to Vanessa, and to everyone lucky enough to have a friend who stuck by them—whether it was in homeroom or life’s harder moments.

Because attendance isn’t always about showing up in the classroom. Sometimes, it’s about showing up in someone’s heart and staying there for decades.

🧠 Keywords: Bennettsville SC blog, Gen X school stories, perfect attendance humor, Southern childhood friendship, Vanessa Scott Bennettsville, mental health days school, 1980s nostalgia, Ice House Bennettsville, truancy humor, funny classroom memories, The Freckled Oracle, The Hypothyroidism Chick, lifelong friendship, southern bloggers

📌 Disclaimer:
This blog is intended for storytelling, nostalgic reflection, and entertainment. All names and memories are shared with love, laughter, and Southern-style storytelling. No shade to perfect attenders or professional skippers—we all survived school in our own magical way. 😉

🖋️ With Love and Late Slips,
A.L. Childers – The Freckled Oracle™
Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom
📍 www.TheHypothyroidismChick.com

About the Author:

Audrey Childers, writing as A.L. Childers, is an ACA-licensed health insurance agent turned full-time truth-teller. With over 200 books published, she’s building a creative empire fueled by fire, freckles, and the freedom to never be silenced again. She’s the voice for the ones who got burned but still showed up. And when she glows, egos burn.

The Freckled Oracle™

Author + Truth Teller @TheFreckledOracle™

“Designed by The Freckled Oracle™ — Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom”

The Freckled Oracle™ is a protected brand identity representing the creative works and commercial goods of A.L. Childers. All designs, content, and products are original and not to be copied, reproduced, or resold without express permission.

“Eight Years, a Thousand Wake-Ups, and a Love Beyond Words: My Austrian Pup’s Journey”

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“Eight Years, a Thousand Wake-Ups, and a Love Beyond Words: My Austrian Pup’s Journey”
By A.L. Childers | The Freckled Oracle™ – Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom

There’s a sacred kind of love that only exists between a dog and the human who’d take a bullet for them. The kind of love that grows through 3 a.m. potty breaks, homemade meals simmering on the stove, and silent companionship through life’s loudest storms.

My little Austrian pup—my girl—is eight human years old now. The vet called her a senior recently, and I nearly choked on my tears. A senior? Not my baby. Not the pup I once slept beside on the living room floor, who whimpered for me in the night, who eventually climbed those tiny doggy stairs to share my bed. She’s still that same baby to me. Still curls up next to me every night. Still wakes me up when she needs to go. And I still smile every time she lets me know. I’m grateful she communicates with me. That’s trust. That’s love.

She recently had a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on her skin. Let me tell you, hearing that word—cancer—felt like the air left the room. Like I was losing a child. But we caught it, and she’s doing well for now. We chose not to do chemo or radiation. That was a personal decision made with our hearts and our research. And because I’ve always fed my dogs clean, homemade food (yes, I even wrote a book on it—though that’s not what this post is about), I knew I wanted to keep her strong, nourished, and comfortable in the most natural ways possible.

I’m the kind of person who boils chicken thighs with turmeric and parsley, stews veggies, dehydrates organic meats, and stirs it all with love. I cook for them like I do for myself—because they are my family. No store-bought chemical mash in this house. Nope. Never.

People laugh when I say I treat my dogs better than my husband, but I’m not sure what the joke is. My husband is a grown man. He can talk, demand, argue, cuss, and protest. My dogs can only bark or whimper—and yet they offer nothing but loyalty, love, and presence. They don’t hold grudges. They just are. And that is divine.

So yes, I will always advocate for them. I will never apologize for the way I love my fur children. If you know, you know. And if you don’t—well, I hope someday you get to experience a love like this. One that curls up beside you, waits patiently at the door, and looks at you like you hung the moon.

For now, we celebrate each moment. We sniff the breeze together. We cook. We cuddle. We heal. I was told we have six more good years. I’m claiming every one of them.

Disclaimer:
This blog is for storytelling, emotional expression, and informational purposes only. It does not offer veterinary or medical advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for professional guidance regarding your pet’s health and treatment options.

With all my heart,
A.L. Childers – The Freckled Oracle™
Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom

👤 About the Author:

Audrey Childers, writing as A.L. Childers, is an ACA-licensed health insurance agent turned full-time truth-teller. With over 200 books published, she’s building a creative empire fueled by fire, freckles, and the freedom to never be silenced again. She’s the voice for the ones who got burned but still showed up. And when she glows, egos burn.

The Freckled Oracle™

Author + Truth Teller @TheFreckledOracle™

“Designed by The Freckled Oracle™ — Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom”

The Freckled Oracle™ is a protected brand identity representing the creative works and commercial goods of A.L. Childers. All designs, content, and products are original and not to be copied, reproduced, or resold without express permission.

The other pups are checking her out. 1st day the house

Her cancer surgery–

“Freckled, Fabulous & Rent-Free: Living in Their Heads While Living My Truth”

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💣 Disclaimer:

This blog contains truth bombs, unapologetic self-worth, and a sprinkle of Southern sass. If you’re easily offended by confidence, freckles, or fierce women leveling up, bless your heart and scroll on. This is for the ones who’ve been talked about, torn down, and still managed to glow in the dark.

✍️ By A.L. Childers — aka The Freckled Oracle

Let’s talk about what it really means to live rent-free in someone’s head.

I used to think it was a bad thing — you know, when people couldn’t stop whispering, side-eying, or tossing shade like it paid their bills. In grade school, they called me “freckle face” like it was some kind of punishment. My strawberry-blonde hair? Mocked. Picked apart. Made me feel like I was wearing a target.

But here’s what they didn’t know:
You can’t shade where the sun hits hardest. ☀️

And now?
People pay hundreds for faux freckles and strawberry highlights.
I was just ahead of my time — an organic trendsetter in a world still learning how to keep up.

🔥 When They Talk About You… They’re Advertising You

In your 20s and 30s, you think people talking trash about you is a sign of your failure.
No, darling — it’s a fan club in denial.

  • That old coworker who mimicked your walk? Obsessed.
  • That ex-friend who mocks your blog but reads every word? Fan behavior.
  • The family member who said, “You’ll never make it”? They’re watching your TikToks from a burner account.

They tried to bury you in mud, but didn’t realize they were planting seeds.
And when your glow-up bloomed?
They found themselves living in a garden they couldn’t control — where you were the centerpiece.

🧠 Change Your Mindset, Change Your World

Here’s the secret they don’t teach you in therapy quick-fixes:
When you stop letting their projection define your worth, the world shifts.

🔑 It’s not that people stop being nasty.
It’s that you stop giving their opinions the password to your peace.

And that hurts them more than anything you could say back.

🌱 Let Me Give You a Real-Life Freckled Oracle Example:

People made fun of me my whole life.
But now?

  • I’ve written over 200 books
  • I’ve built a brand, a blog, a badass vibe
  • I’ve turned pain into paperback
  • And while I might be fabulously broke for now — my vision is limitless and my impact is immaculate

I glow, and it burns people’s egos.
I exist, and they flinch.

Not because I’ve done anything to them… but because I’ve done everything despite them.

💸 Manifestation Note to Self:

I just need to match my mindset with my money flow.
Until then, I’m rent-free real estate in their fragile little minds — with zero late fees and infinite upgrades.

💥 Keywords:

rent free mindset, freckled and proud, glow up inspiration, overcoming bullying, mindset shift, aspiring author blog, female empowerment, living rent-free in their head, strawberry blonde strength, how to handle jealousy, self-worth blog, female glow up journey, confidence blog, A.L. Childers author, Freckled Oracle

📚 About the Author:

A.L. Childers, known as The Freckled Oracle, is a Southern-born powerhouse of words, wisdom, and wit. With over 200 books under her belt, she’s turned trauma into triumph, and freckles into fire. She writes for the ones who were overlooked, underestimated, or outshined — only to become the ones that can’t be ignored. When she’s not blogging or book-building, she’s dreaming up ways to turn her unapologetic truth into a six-figure empire. Until then? She’s glowing — loudly, rent-free, and unstoppable.

It’s Easy to Say ‘Just Do It’ When You’ve Never Had to Struggle

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“It’s Easy to Say ‘Just Do It’ When You’ve Never Had to Struggle”
By A.L. Childers

Some people really don’t get it.
You open your heart, your pain, your exhaustion—and they say things like:
“Well, just leave him.”
“Why don’t you go back to school?”
“You should take a break and do something for yourself.”

These are the people who always had someone to fall back on. A parent to wire money in emergencies. A spouse who emotionally showed up. A friend who stepped in without being asked. A safety net that held them even when they made bad decisions.

They mean well, but they speak from a place of insulation. They’ve never had to climb out of a hole without someone handing them a rope.

When life kicked them down, someone opened a door.
When life kicked me down, I had to kick back just to survive.

The Truth About Support Systems

If you’ve never struggled to survive alone, truly alone, then you don’t know how heavy the simplest decision can be.
You’ve never had to wonder:

  • If I leave him, will I have a place to sleep?
  • If I say how I really feel, will I be abandoned—again?
  • If I can’t hold it together, who’s going to catch my kids when I fall apart?

Your advice might come from a kind heart, but it lacks lived reality. You don’t understand that some of us aren’t afforded the luxury of “just doing it.”

Because for us, the consequences are real. They’re not a bad week. They’re a life-altering collapse we can’t recover from without help we don’t have.

What I Wish People Understood

If you’ve always had help, please know: you’re lucky. That’s not a weakness—it’s a gift. But don’t confuse it for moral superiority or hard-earned wisdom.

Don’t look at your friend and say, “If I were you, I would…”
Because you’re not me.
You had options.
I had survival.

I don’t get to gamble on my life falling apart. Because no one’s coming to rescue me.

If You’re the Friend Without the Safety Net

This blog is for you.
The one whose “Plan B” is just praying Plan A works.
The one who listens to advice you can’t afford to take.
The one nodding politely at people who mean well but don’t get it.

You are not lazy. You are not weak. You are not stuck because you’re scared.
You are resourceful, resilient, and wise enough to know that your survival depends on playing your cards very carefully.

You’re not failing—you’re navigating a minefield with no map.

And I’m proud of you.

Disclaimer:
This blog reflects the personal experience of the author and those like her who have had to endure life without a safety net. It is not intended as medical, legal, or psychological advice. Always seek support from professionals or certified organizations when needed.

About the Author:
A.L. Childers is the author of No Parachute: Born Without a Safety Net and Still Standing and a fierce voice for women navigating life with no fallback plan. She writes for the ones who were left to figure it out alone—and still did. Visit her blog at TheHypothyroidismChick.com for more stories of survival and strength.

No Parachute: What It’s Like to Be Born Without a Safety Net

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No Parachute: What It’s Like to Be Born Without a Safety Net
By A.L. Childers

This blog is for those of us who were born without a parachute.

For the ones who didn’t get “rescued” when life turned to hell.
Who didn’t get second chances from forgiving parents, financial bailouts from spouses, or even emotional validation from someone who gave a damn.

We didn’t inherit a support system.
We inherited survival.

When You’re Your Own Emergency Contact

There are people out there who cannot fathom making every decision without backup.
They’ve always had someone to fall back on—mom, dad, a partner, a trust fund, or even a best friend who shows up before they even say “I need you.”

But then, there are people like us.

We are the emergency contact.
We are the fallback plan.
We are the late-night problem solver, the crisis negotiator, the emotional anchor.

Even when we’re breaking, we don’t get to fall apart.

Advice from the Privileged Feels Like a Slap in the Face

“Just take a break.”
“Ask for help.”
“Start over.”

Start over… with what? With who?
When no one is waiting to catch you, every step is a calculation:
How much will this cost me—emotionally, financially, mentally?

We don’t get to “burn bridges” when we’re already stranded.
We don’t get to “cut people off” when no one was ever really there.

The world loves giving advice to people they’ll never have to live as.

The Weight of a Loveless Life Isn’t Laziness. It’s Logistics.

I’m stuck in a marriage with a man who doesn’t care.
He doesn’t ask about my day. He doesn’t see me. He doesn’t love me in the way I needed someone to love me.

And before anyone dares say, “Then why don’t you leave?”—let me stop you there.
It’s not fear that keeps women like me in place.
It’s the brutal arithmetic of life.

Bills. Kids. Health.
Who helps when you walk away?
When there’s no mother to stay with, no brother to borrow from, no family with a spare bedroom or a spare dollar—you do the math differently.

For the Ones Who Have Always Had to Figure It Out Alone

If you’ve ever sat in silence because you had no one to call…
If you’ve ever swallowed your pain because your sadness made others uncomfortable…
If you’ve ever been surrounded by people but still completely unsupported…
Then you know what it means to be born without a parachute.

You weren’t raised with emotional stability.
You weren’t taught that someone would come for you.
You were taught to endure.

And you’ve done that. Day after day.

Resources for Those Who Have Only Themselves

You’re not alone in your loneliness. Here are some real support tools—judgment-free, low-cost, and community-based:

Closing Words: We Are Not Broken—We Were Just Never Carried

People like us don’t walk around with safety nets.
We walk tightropes—every single day.
But we walk them anyway.
That’s not weakness. That’s grit.

So if no one told you lately:
You are doing the damn thing.
Without applause. Without help.
And you deserve respect for surviving what others were rescued from.

About the Author
A.L. Childers writes for the overlooked, the unheard, and the underestimated. As a woman who has spent her life without a support system, she understands the silent strength it takes to keep showing up when no one’s there to catch you. Find more of her words at TheHypothyroidismChick.com, where truth and tenderness meet.

I’m 29 in My Mind, 12 in Humor, and 52 in Real Life (But Pretty Sure My Body Died at Gettysburg)

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I’m 29 in My Mind, 12 in Humor, and 52 in Real Life (But Pretty Sure My Body Died at Gettysburg)”

A Blog by A.L. Childers, Author | Truth Teller | Gen X National Treasure

⚠️ Disclaimer:

This blog is not FDA-approved but may drastically improve your mood. Side effects include sudden laughter, back pain empathy, a strong desire to stretch, and spontaneous memories of slap bracelets. If you’re under 30, read this as a warning. If you’re over 50, read this like a group text with your favorite cousin who tells it like it is.

🧠 Mentally: I’m 29. Obviously.

I’m 52. But if you ask my mind? She’s stuck at 29, sipping iced coffee, making vision boards, and totally convinced she can pull an all-nighter if properly motivated by retail therapy and nachos.

She’s convinced we still have time to backpack across Europe, launch three businesses, do squats without sound effects, and attend a music festival that doesn’t end by 9 p.m.

But also… she forgets what day it is and why she walked into the room. She’s doing her best, okay?

🤪 Humor-wise: Let’s Be Honest, I’m 12

Toilet humor? Still funny.
People falling in a non-serious way? Hilarious.
Fart jokes? Don’t even get me started.
I laugh every time my dog snorts. I make sarcastic comments under my breath like it’s a sport. And my meme folder? Certified comedic gold.

I’m the person who’ll giggle at the word “duty” in a board meeting and then offer a deeply profound opinion on federal policy. Duality, baby.

🦴 Physically: Deceased Since Gettysburg

There’s no other explanation. These bones? Historic artifacts. These knees? War survivors. That sound my shoulder makes when I reach for the remote? Unholy. I’m one deep stretch away from opening a portal to 1863.

My back has an attitude. My hip is petty. And if I sleep wrong, I need two days of physical therapy, one heating pad, and a prayer circle.

Some days I wake up feeling invincible. Other days, I pull a muscle sneezing. It’s like a surprise party but for disappointment.

🎯 But Here’s the Twist: I Wouldn’t Trade It

I’ve earned every wrinkle, every scar, and every “snap-crackle-pop” that echoes through my living room when I get off the couch.
I’ve survived low-rise jeans, toxic friends, 14-step skincare routines, and decades of societal nonsense. At 52, I’ve finally figured out who I am—and guess what? She’s hilarious, wise, and takes naps without guilt.

This age isn’t a breakdown. It’s a breakthrough. A glow-up wrapped in Tiger Balm and sarcasm.

👑 About the Author

A.L. Childers is 52 years wise, fabulously flawed, and aging like vintage sarcasm. She’s the pen behind over 200 published books, dozens of healing blogs, and more than one strongly worded letter to corporations who sell toxic deodorant.

Known as The Hypothyroidism Chick online and the Queen of Comebacks in real life, A.L. blends deep truths with deeper laughs. Her writing is raw, real, and ridiculously relatable. She believes in boundaries, boldness, and the magic of a well-timed eye roll.

If you don’t know her yet—pull up a seat. If you do, you already know the tea’s hot, the humor’s healing, and the stories are soul food.

🧡 Final Pep Talk

If you’re reading this wondering how you got here—this beautiful, weird, achy stage of life—just know you’re not alone.
You’re part of the generation that drank from water hoses, survived MySpace, and still knows the lyrics to every 80s love song. You’ve got grit. You’ve got grace. And you’ve got no time for people who don’t get your humor.

At 52, we don’t fall apart—we reinvent.

So go stretch. Laugh until something cracks. And remember: if your body sounds haunted, just tell people it’s a Civil War ghost and keep it moving.

Peace Is the New Flex: Why My 2025 Cut-Off List Is Empty

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Peace Is the New Flex: Why My 2025 Cut-Off List Is Empty
By A.L. Childers | The Hypothyroidism Chick

I sat down recently with a cup of tea, my favorite pen, and the intention of doing what every self-aware adult does at the start of a new year: make a good old-fashioned cut-off list. You know, the list of people, habits, and energy vampires you plan to leave behind for your personal growth and spiritual glow-up?

But as I started writing, I had a realization that stopped me mid-sip:
There’s no one left to cut off.

Cue the dramatic music. 🎻

Not a single name. Not one “friend” I secretly dreaded texting back. Not one situationship stuck in eternal purgatory. Not even a coworker with main-character syndrome to emotionally unsubscribe from.

At first, I panicked. Had I become too isolated? Had I unknowingly joined a secret society of anti-socials?

Nope. I’d just done the hard work early. And now I’m reaping the benefits in pure, unbothered peace.

✂️ Been There, Blocked That

A few years ago, my circle looked more like a tangled set of holiday lights. Bright in places—but mostly chaotic and draining. I kept people around because of shared history, guilt, or the ever-toxic “but we’ve been friends forever.”

Until I realized that longevity without reciprocity is just emotional hoarding.

So, slowly and with love (okay, sometimes with silent blocking and a dash of pettiness), I let go. Of the one-sided friendships. Of the chronic oversharers who never asked how I was doing. Of the energy suckers who treated me like their emotional Airbnb—checking in, dumping baggage, and ghosting when it was time to clean up.

💅 Peace Is the New Flex

Let me say this clearly:
Protecting your peace isn’t rude. It’s responsible.

I didn’t cut people off because I’m cold. I cut them off because I’m cured. Cured from the need to overextend, to prove my worth, or to be everything for everyone except myself.

This version of me? She journals. She eats food that doesn’t set her thyroid on fire. She has boundaries like velvet rope at a VIP lounge. And guess what? She sleeps better.

Peace is no longer a luxury—it’s a lifestyle.

💖 For the Healed & Healing

If you’re still struggling with your own list—here’s your sign. You don’t owe anyone continued access to a version of you they helped exhaust.

Start asking:

  • Do they lift me up or leave me drained?
  • Do I like who I become around them?
  • Would I invite them into my peace today if history wasn’t a factor?

If the answer feels heavy, you’ve got your answer.

Resources to Start Your Cut-Off Journey (With Class)

  • “Set Boundaries, Find Peace” by Nedra Glover Tawwab
    Because peace starts with a firm but kind “no.”
  • Therapy apps like BetterHelp
    For untangling why you overextend yourself in the first place.
  • Journaling Prompts
    “Who do I feel obligated to, and why?”
    “What relationships feel like work, and what feels like rest?”

Final Word from the Peaceful Side

So no, my 2025 cut-off list isn’t empty because I’m lucky. It’s empty because I made some hard decisions a long time ago.

And now?
I protect my peace like it’s skincare in TSA—travel-size only, tightly sealed, and not for everyone.

Here’s to more healing, more laughing, and fewer texts from people who mistake your kindness for a clearance sale.

With love, clarity, and zero clutter,
– A.L. Childers
Author of books for the healed & healing 📚✨
#TheHypothyroidismChick