Tag Archives: #love

💋 It Begins With a Kiss: A Journey Through Love, Memory, and Transformation

Leave a reply

Every great story of love—whether it blossoms or burns out—has a beginning. And more often than not, it begins with a kiss. That moment where two souls collide, where electricity sparks, and where the promise of something greater hangs in the air.

A kiss is more than lips meeting. It’s a language of the heart, a memory seared into time, and often the first step in a journey that transforms us. In this blog, we’ll explore how a kiss can shape love stories, break hearts, and even help us reconnect with our truest selves.

💫 The Power of a Kiss in Story and Myth

Throughout history and mythology, the kiss has carried profound symbolism:

  • Fairy tales: A single kiss awakens Sleeping Beauty and transforms the Beast into a prince.
  • Greek mythology: The kiss was tied to the breath of life itself, a way the gods shared divinity with mortals.
  • Literature: From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to modern novels, a kiss has marked both beginnings and tragic endings.

A kiss is not just physical—it’s mythological, spiritual, and eternal.

SEO Keywords: the power of a kiss, meaning of a kiss in history, spiritual meaning of a kiss, kiss symbolism in mythology

🌹 Love That Begins in a Whisper

A kiss can ignite a fire. It’s the start of relationships that bloom into lifelong partnerships or unforgettable flings that teach us what love really means.

Sometimes, a kiss is innocence—two young lovers testing the boundaries of affection. Other times, it’s rebellion—a kiss stolen under the stars, knowing the world would never approve. And often, it’s healing—the gentle assurance that “you’re not alone.”

💔 When a Kiss Becomes Memory

But just as a kiss can begin everything, it can also be the last chapter. The kiss goodbye at an airport terminal. The kiss of closure after heartbreak. The lingering taste of love lost but never forgotten.

It teaches us that every beginning carries within it the seed of an ending—and that even endings can hold beauty.

SEO Keywords: kiss and memory, kiss goodbye meaning, love and heartbreak, emotional healing from love

🌙 Healing Through Connection

The theme of “it begins with a kiss” reminds us of something deeper: the way intimacy, memory, and connection shape our health and spirit. Studies show that kissing reduces stress, boosts immunity, and strengthens bonds through oxytocin—the “love hormone.”

Spiritually, a kiss can feel like a merging of souls, a reminder that we are not isolated beings but deeply connected creatures. To kiss is to remember we belong.

🌍 How to Reconnect with Yourself Through Love

  • Write down your first kiss memory—what did it teach you about yourself?
  • Practice gratitude with your partner—kiss slowly, intentionally, with presence.
  • Heal heartbreak through ritual—write a letter to the one you lost, seal it with a kiss, then release it (burn, bury, or tear it).

Love always begins again. And sometimes, healing does too.

SEO Keywords: healing through love, health benefits of kissing, how to reconnect with love, intentional kissing practice

📚 About the Author

A.L. Childers is the author of books that explore the intersections of history, spirituality, and human connection, including Beyond Words: The Science of Seduction and Connection and Roots to Health. Her writing invites readers to rediscover ancient wisdom while finding modern ways to heal, connect, and thrive.

⚖️ Disclaimer

This blog is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It blends history, storytelling, and wellness but is not a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always seek qualified guidance for personal health, relationships, or emotional well-being.

✨ Final Thoughts

Love doesn’t always come with a roadmap. Sometimes, it comes softly, quietly, in a single moment that changes everything. And more often than not—

It begins with a kiss. 💋

I Should’ve Just Married Rich: How Poverty, Pressure, and Real Life Shaped My Hustle”

Leave a reply

By A.L. Childers | Truth-Teller. Author. Not Another Cinderella.

You ever look around and think,
“Dang, maybe I should’ve just married rich…”
Because this “self-made” struggle?
It ain’t for the faint of heart.

I wasn’t born with connections.
I didn’t inherit stock options.
I wasn’t handed seed money or a business coach.

I was born to a poor single mother with three children and not a dime to spare.
No trust fund.
No silver spoon.
No “start here” guide.

All I had was survival, shame, and the silent pressure to figure it out.

💡 But Here’s the Catch…

I could’ve married rich.
I could’ve smiled more, bit my tongue, and played the long game.
I could’ve traded my fire for finances and my dreams for diamonds.

But something inside me knew…
I wasn’t built to be someone’s trophy.
I was built to be a voice.

🔥 The Truth They Don’t Tell You

No one talks about what it’s really like to grow up poor—not in that “aww, sad movie” way, but in the real, gritty, ‘figure-it-out-or-fail’ kind of way.
We glamorize the hustle. We glorify the grind.

But when you’re poor, success isn’t inspirational—it’s survival.

You:

  • Learn how to stretch $10 into three meals
  • Wear hand-me-downs and still make them look good
  • Pray the power stays on another week
  • Watch others get ahead with ease—and try not to let the bitterness kill your spirit

💅 Why Marrying Rich Sounded So Good

Honestly? A husband with a hedge fund sounded better than trauma bonding with struggle.

  • No late notices.
  • No “Ramen again?” dinners.
  • No explaining why your dreams have to wait until the kids are fed.

But here’s the twist…

Even if I had married rich, I would’ve still been me—loud, bold, creative, honest, messy.
And rich men don’t usually like that in a wife.
They want quiet admiration.
Not revolutionary energy.

🗣️ So Instead… I Built Myself

I wrote 50+ books.
I built a blog that tells the truth.
I healed my body from hypothyroidism.
I raised my children.
I spoke when no one else would.

And while I’m not sitting in a mansion (yet), I sleep just fine knowing:
I didn’t sell my voice to buy security.

💎 If You’re Reading This…

And you’re struggling, tired, or wondering if this grind is even worth it—just know:
You are not alone.
You are not behind.
And you are not broken.

This system wasn’t built for women like us.
But we’re building something better.

✍️ Why I Wrote This Blog

Because not all success stories start with six-figure savings.
Some of us had to fight to keep the lights on and still show up like we had it all together.

Because I’m tired of the “just hustle harder” advice from people who started life ten steps ahead.

Because some of us didn’t want a rich husband—we wanted to be rich in truth, power, and peace.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This blog reflects personal experiences and commentary. It is not a judgment of those who marry for security, nor a dismissal of the financial realities many women face. Everyone’s path is valid. This is simply my truth.

✍️ About the Author

A.L. Childers is a truth-telling Southern author, blogger, and survivor of systems built to break her. She’s the creator of TheHypothyroidismChick.com and author of over 50 powerful works, including:

  • Silent Chains
  • Roots to Health
  • The Hidden Empire
  • Breaking the Silence

Audrey’s mission? To expose the lies, empower the overlooked, and help women own their stories—without shame.

📈 SEO Keywords:

marry rich vs self-made, born into poverty blog, single mother poverty story, Southern female author, A.L. Childers writer, escape poverty story, self-made success blog, real talk on money and marriage, financial survival stories, women who rise without privilege

🏷️ Hashtags:

#MarryRichOrBuildIt #RealTalkWithAL #ALChilders #FromNothingToNow #PovertyToPower #SouthernTruthTeller #WomenWhoRise #SelfMadeNotSponsored #BloggersOfTruth #SurvivalIsSuccess #TruthSellsBetterThanDreams #BreakingTheSilence #TheHypothyroidismChick #AuthorLife

Savannah Chrisley: Grace Under Fire, Voice for the Voiceless—and Why We Should Be ListeningBy A.L. Childers | Journalist. Blogger. Unapologetic Truth-Slinger.

Leave a reply

It’s wild, isn’t it? How people in today’s society can’t stand to see someone rise. We mock strength, twist integrity, and ridicule success—especially when it comes from a young, bold woman who dares to want more.

Enter Savannah Chrisley—a woman with grit, grace, and the kind of Southern fire you can’t fake. She’s no stranger to judgment, but instead of crumbling under pressure, she used it to build a platform. Savannah didn’t just survive the headlines—she rewrote the narrative.

And let’s be clear: she’s exactly the kind of leader this country needs.

🔍 A Brief Look at Savannah Chrisley’s Journey

Born into reality TV fame as part of the Chrisley Knows Best family, Savannah’s life has been under a microscope since day one. But unlike many reality stars who fade into tabloid drama, Savannah did something rare: she evolved.

When her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, faced federal charges and were sentenced to prison, Savannah didn’t run from the storm—she walked through it. Taking on guardianship of her younger siblings, speaking out publicly, advocating for criminal justice reform, and hosting her own podcast and talk show—she turned tragedy into testimony.

This is a woman who:

  • Runs her own beauty brand (Sassy by Savannah)
  • Hosts the Unlocked podcast, giving a voice to tough, often taboo topics
  • Stepped into motherhood by necessity, not convenience
  • Advocates fiercely for her family while navigating media scrutiny
  • Is rumored to be eyeing public office

❤️ Why Savannah Chrisley Is What America Needs

We don’t need more polished politicians with fake smiles and empty promises.

We need fighters.
We need storytellers.
We need women who have been through the fire and came out stronger.

Savannah is relatable, transparent, and unafraid to speak her truth—even when it’s uncomfortable. In an age of chaos, she represents a new kind of leadership: emotionally intelligent, battle-tested, and deeply rooted in values.

And yet—people laugh.
Mock.
Dismiss.
Because that’s what happens when a woman stands up and says, “I will not be silenced.”

🙋🏽‍♀️ Why I Stand With Her — And Who I Am

My name is A.L. Childers, and I’m a writer, author, and voice for the silenced.

I’ve been through it, too—life didn’t hand me a silver spoon; it handed me a mountain. I’ve written over 50 books, including:

  • The Hidden Empire: A Journey Through Millennia of Oligarchic Rule
  • Silent Chains: Breaking Free from Conformity and Injustice
  • Breaking the Silence: Autism, ADHD, and the Hidden Struggles of Motherhood
  • Roots to Health —how I healed my thyroid and reclaimed my body
  • The Hypothyroidism Chick blog – dedicated to healing, truth, and bold stories

Like Savannah, I’ve used my voice to fight.
Like Savannah, I’ve had to speak when no one was listening.
And like Savannah, I believe that this is America—and anyone brave enough to rise, deserves to be heard.

⚖️ Why This Matters

Whether or not you agree with her politics, Savannah Chrisley represents something rare: accountability, grace, and transformation. She didn’t ask for this path. But she’s walking it like a woman who knows the weight of purpose.

And that’s why my family supports her.

Not because she’s perfect—but because she’s trying.
Not because she’s polished—but because she’s raw, real, and rising.

Let the world mock.
Let the trolls speak.
She’s still going to succeed—and I’m going to keep writing about the ones who refuse to break.

🧭 Help Me Help Her—And Myself

If anyone from Savannah Chrisley’s team reads this—I see the bigger picture.
Let’s talk. Let me write. Let me help amplify this message.
This isn’t just a blog—it’s a movement waiting to be told right.
And I’ve got the pen, the purpose, and the passion to do it.

📈 SEO Keywords:

Savannah Chrisley 2025, Savannah Chrisley leadership, Savannah Chrisley podcast, Savannah Chrisley parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley prison, Sassy by Savannah, Savannah Chrisley politics, women in leadership 2025, grace under fire Savannah Chrisley, A.L. Childers writer

📌 Resources & References:

  • Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley – Apple Podcasts
  • CNN Coverage of Todd and Julie Chrisley Sentencing
  • USA Today – “Savannah Chrisley opens up about guardianship and trauma”
  • NBC News – “Savannah Chrisley speaks on family’s legal battle”
  • A.L. Childers author page (Amazon.com)
  • TheHypothyroidismChick.com – Audrey’s blog on health and truth-telling

🏷️ Hashtags:

#SavannahChrisley #GraceUnderFire #WomenInLeadership #UnlockedPodcast #ALChilders #TruthTeller #FemmeVoice #TheHypothyroidismChick #SupportWomenWhoRise #JusticeForTheChrisleys #WriterForChange #FromPainToPower #BloggersOfTruth

✉️ Final Words

If you’re reading this and you’re tired of being laughed at for wanting more—know this:

You’re not alone.
You’re not crazy.
You’re not weak.

You’re just early to the revolution.

Let Savannah keep rising.
Let me keep writing.
And let’s stop apologizing for being women with a voice.

A powerful reflection on Savannah Chrisley’s rise, resilience, and relevance in today’s America—and why she represents a new kind of leadership. By best-selling author and blogger A.L. Childers.

Tags:

Savannah Chrisley Women in Leadership Reality TV Grace Under Fire A.L. Childers Powerful Women Unlocked Podcast Southern Women Leaders Feminine Power

SavannahChrisley #ALChilders #WriterForChange #FemmePower #GraceUnderFire #SupportWomenWhoRise #SouthernVoices #UnlockedPodcast #BloggersOfTruth #MakeItViral #VoiceOfThePeople #FutureLeaders

@SavannahChrisley

@UnlockedWithSavannah

@EEntertainment

@People

@TheView

@TheTodayShow

@MSNBC

@WritersOfInstagram

@BlogHer

@TEDTalks

The Real Luxuries in Life: Rediscovering What Truly Matters

Leave a reply

In a world that glorifies hustle, speed, and accumulation, we often overlook the quiet treasures that make life deeply meaningful. We chase titles, luxury brands, and curated lifestyles—yet the richest among us may still yearn for things that money can’t buy.

The real luxuries in life aren’t found in shopping bags or exotic zip codes. They’re found in:

  • Time — uninterrupted, unscheduled moments to just be.
  • Health — a functioning body and a peaceful mind.
  • A quiet mind — the kind that doesn’t race to the next task.
  • Slow mornings — sipping coffee without urgency.
  • The ability to travel — not just in miles, but in freedom.
  • Rest without guilt — a true rarity in a society driven by performance.
  • A good night’s sleep — not interrupted by worry or deadlines.
  • Calm and “boring” days — which are, in truth, incredibly sacred.
  • Meaningful conversations — where we feel heard, seen, and understood.
  • Home-cooked meals — made with love, not convenience.
  • People you love — and more importantly, people who love you back.

As I reflect on these simple, powerful luxuries, I’m reminded of the chapters in my own life where I didn’t realize how rich I truly was. Sometimes, the most meaningful blessings come disguised as ordinary moments.

I invite you to slow down. To sit with your morning a little longer. To call someone just to say hello. To listen. To breathe. These are the luxuries that don’t depreciate over time—they deepen.

About the Author
A.L. Childers is an author, mother, and seeker of truth who writes with heart, grit, and a dash of rebellion. From exposing hidden histories to guiding others through healing and personal transformation, her work spans both nonfiction awakenings and emotional storytelling. She believes that life’s real treasures are not stored in banks, but in memories, health, and human connection.

Explore Her Books
Looking for stories and insights that can shift your perspective and nourish your soul?

📚 The Hidden Empire: A Journey Through Millennia of Oligarchic Rule – Uncover the truth they don’t teach in school.
📚 The Quantum Leap: Habits That Reshape Your Reality – A guide to rewiring your life with intention.
📚 Pawsitively Nourished – A heartfelt book for dog lovers, packed with healing recipes and love.

Find them on Amazon by searching “A.L. Childers” or visit TheHypothyroidismChick.com to join the journey.

Because at the end of the day, the true measure of wealth isn’t what’s in your wallet—it’s what’s in your heart, your home, and your peace.

Disclaimer:
The thoughts and reflections shared in this blog are for inspirational and educational purposes only. They are not intended to substitute professional advice in areas such as mental health, finance, or wellness. Every individual’s journey is unique, and what resonates with one person may not resonate with another. Please consult appropriate professionals when making decisions that impact your well-being. All content is the original work of A.L. Childers and may not be copied or reproduced without written permission.

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

Leave a reply

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

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

Leave a reply

“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

Leave a reply

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.

“Built-In Safety Nets: What the Privileged Don’t Understand About Survival Without Support”

Leave a reply

“Built-In Safety Nets: What the Privileged Don’t Understand About Survival Without Support”
By A.L. Childers

Introduction
Some people grow up with the security of a net—a built-in safety net of parents, siblings, a spouse, or even generational wealth that quietly cushions every fall. And while that’s not a crime, it becomes deeply frustrating when those same people dish out advice to friends who’ve never had that luxury—completely unaware of how insulated they’ve always been.

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

I’m one of those people.

My Story: No Net. No Rescue. Just Me.

I didn’t grow up with a soft place to land. I didn’t have parents who could swoop in and fix things when I was in trouble. No siblings sending money when I was down. No husband who checks in to see how I’m really doing. I’m in a loveless marriage with a man who couldn’t care less about my soul, my health, or my happiness.

But I stay—because survival doesn’t always come with options. And let’s be clear: staying is not weakness. Sometimes, it’s strategy. It’s survival. And no, you don’t understand unless you’ve been here.

The Blind Advice of the Privileged

If you have:

  • A mom you can run home to when life crumbles
  • A spouse who co-regulates your nervous system
  • A family that circles around you when you need help

Then you don’t know what it’s like to survive without that. And you shouldn’t be giving advice to people who do.

“Just leave him.”
“Why don’t you go back to school?”
“You should try therapy.”

All wonderful ideas… if you’re not crushed under financial pressure, emotional fatigue, or decades of trauma.

What It’s Really Like to Have No Support System

Having no support system means:

  • You become your own emergency contact.
  • You talk to yourself because you have no one else.
  • You lie awake with decisions that could break you because no one else is going to fix them.
  • You stay silent because your pain makes people uncomfortable.

People like me? We’re not “too proud to ask for help.”
We just know help isn’t coming.

Why We Stay in Loveless Marriages and Hard Situations

When you’ve never been safe, even broken stability can feel safer than free-fall.

We stay:

  • Because rent is cheaper split.
  • Because the kids need school clothes.
  • Because single motherhood with no tribe is brutal.
  • Because trauma makes you believe you’re unworthy of more.

Resources for Those With No Safety Net

If you’re surviving without support, here are a few lifelines that don’t require a family name or a spouse who cares:

Closing Thoughts: A Letter to the Ones Who Never Had a Net

If this is you—surviving day to day without emotional, financial, or family backup—I see you. I am you.

You are not weak. You are not broken. You are adapted. You are surviving a life most people couldn’t stomach. And the advice-givers? Let them talk. They’re playing life on beginner mode.

We are on expert.

And even if no one else ever tells you: I’m proud of you.

About the Author
A.L. Childers is a mother, author, and advocate for the unheard. Raised without a safety net and still standing strong, she writes for those who feel invisible in a world built for the privileged. You can find her work at TheHypothyroidismChick.com, where she blends truth, trauma, and transformation with grace and grit.

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

Leave a reply

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

Why I Avoid Drama: It’s Me, Not You (Seriously)

Leave a reply

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: I avoid drama not because I’m scared of you—but because I’m deeply, respectfully, and wholeheartedly scared of me.

Now, before you clutch your pearls, let me explain.

You see, some people are naturally calm under pressure. They meditate. They journal. They light a sage bundle and whisper affirmations into the void. Me? I’ve got a different system—one that involves recognizing the red flags before I turn into a full-blown hurricane with a driver’s license.

There’s a phrase I’ve lovingly coined: “zero to prison.” And no, it’s not a joke I take lightly. It’s just that I know myself. I’ve spent years learning how to self-regulate, breathe through conflict, and walk away when the heat rises. Not because I can’t clap back, but because I know that if I do… well, someone’s going to need bail money. And I like my weekends free, thank you very much.

The Real Reason I Keep the Peace

Here’s the truth no one tells you: choosing peace is not weakness—it’s self-awareness. It’s knowing that your tongue is a sword and your temper is nuclear. It’s realizing that not every battle is worth the energy, especially when you’ve worked so hard to heal, to grow, and to protect the calm you fought like hell to earn.

I’ve been through enough chaos in my life to know I don’t want to be the source of it anymore. I’d rather light a candle than light someone up (verbally, of course). I’d rather set boundaries than set the record straight with a scream. Because that old version of me? She’s still in there. And she can still throw down if needed—but these days, she prefers throw pillows and herbal tea.

What Drama Really Costs

Drama is expensive. It costs you your peace, your sleep, and sometimes your dignity. And when you’ve finally gotten your mind, body, and spirit into alignment, you realize just how precious peace really is. It’s not that I won’t defend myself—oh, I will. But I now ask myself, “Is this worth stepping out of character for?” And 9.5 times out of 10, the answer is nah.

A Spell of Self-Control

For anyone out there who feels this in their soul, here’s a little mantra:

“I choose calm not because I can’t raise hell, but because I’d rather raise standards.”

So to the ones who think silence means weakness, or that avoiding drama means you “won”—bless your heart. I’m not running scared. I’m just protecting you from meeting the me I’ve buried under years of growth and therapy.

Closing Thoughts
Let’s normalize walking away, setting boundaries, and sipping tea instead of spilling it. Let’s be the kind of women who know their power and use it wisely. And if you ever catch me in the middle of a storm, know this: I tried really hard to avoid it. 😌

Until next time, stay calm, stay grounded, and remember—sometimes peace is the real flex.