Author: fiftyandmorewithaimee

  • 7 Gentle Daily Habits That Help Me Manage Chronic Pain After 50

    7 Gentle Daily Habits That Help Me Manage Chronic Pain After 50

    Living with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and colon deficiencies isn’t easy—especially when you’re juggling work, motherhood, and just trying to get through the day. But over time, I’ve built a few gentle habits into my mornings and evenings that help me feel a little more grounded, a little more in control, and a lot more like me.

    Today, I’m sharing 7 daily habits that have supported my chronic pain and overall wellness, especially in this beautiful but tender chapter after 50. And when I say daily, I mean as much as my body can handle them, not all days are the same —you know what I mean!

    💬 This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my journey!

    ☀️ 1. Start the Day with Gentle Stretching (5-10 mins)

    Stiffness is my morning enemy, especially during the winter season. I’ve learned that simple stretches in bed (yes, in bed!) help unlock my joints and ease me into the day.

    🛒 Amazon Pick: Stretching Strap for Physical Therapy
    Great for low-effort stretches without pressure. Use it in the morning for better results. And it is 100% cotton!

    🫖 2. Herbal Tea Instead of Coffee

    Caffeine was flaring up my inflammation. Switching to anti-inflammatory teas has been a game-changer. Although I still have a coffee here and there so I can enjoy my favourite drink.

    🛒 Amazon Pick: Turmeric & Ginger Tea Bags
    Premium 120 Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon Tea Bags, 100% Natural & No Additives & Caffeine Free– soothing, warm, and gut-friendly.

    🪑 3. Use Supportive Cushions & Heating Pads Throughout the Day

    Whether working from home or resting, good support makes a big difference. I sincerely cannot manage a day without them.

    🛒 Amazon Picks:
    Orthopedic Seat Cushion for Tailbone Pain
    Reduces pain, increases sitting comfort, promotes blood circulation

    Electric Heating Pad with Auto Shut-Off
    King Size Heating Pad with Fast-Heating Technology—XXXL is my size choice: comfortable and extra coverage.

    📖 4. Keep a Gentle Daily Tracker or Wellness Journal

    I track my mood, pain levels, gratitude, and food—all in one place.

    🛒 Amazon Pick: Chronic Illness Wellness Journal
    I was drawn to this journal for a reason I can’t really explain. It was love at first sight! 🙂

    🌿 5. Gentle Movement: Chair Yoga or Walking

    Some days I walk extra steps. Other days it’s just chair yoga in my PJs—and that’s okay.

    🛒 Amazon Pick: Balance Exercises, Seated Workouts and Chair Yoga. This book has great material to help you create your own routine.

    😌 6. Use Aromatherapy to Create Calm

    Essential oils give me tiny moments of calm—even during a flare. I have some sort of aromatherapy around me at home and at work.

    🛒 Amazon Picks:
    Essential Oil Diffuser with Light
    Ceramic Aroma Diffuser – Handcrafted Ultrasonic Diffuser & Humidifier: Elegant and Cozy!
    Lavender Essential Oil
    When it comes to essential oils, only the best I can get for me! This Organic 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil is a great option!

    🌙 7. Unplug and Rest with Purpose

    I dim the lights, use a weighted blanket, and listen to gentle music. It’s not indulgent—it’s essential.

    🛒 Amazon Pick:
    Weighted Blanket for Adults
    Bubble Faux Fur Plush Sherpa Weighted Blanket: Warm, Fuzzy, Plush Blanket. I can honestly not recommend this more. I refrain from doing this therapy during flare-ups; the blanket feels too heavy on my already aching body.

    💖 Final Thoughts

    If you’re living with chronic pain, remember: You’re not lazy. You’re not weak. You’re managing so much—and you deserve tools, rest, and grace every day, even when it could sound selfish to others.

    I hope these gentle habits support you the way they’ve supported me. Enjoy!

    With strength and graciousness,
    Aimée ❤️✨

  • Reclaiming Routine After Illness: A Gentle Guide for Women Over 50

    Reclaiming Routine After Illness: A Gentle Guide for Women Over 50

    Illness doesn’t just impact your body—it shakes your rhythm, your confidence, your daily flow. I had a half-colectomy. Then, flare-ups of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis followed. Even simple routines like morning coffee or brushing my hair felt monumental. But rebuilding a routine—on my terms—became one of the most healing acts of self-love I’ve ever embraced.

    🌞 1. Start Soft, Not Strong

    Forget “go big or go home.” When you’re recovering physically or emotionally, the best routines start with softness. A gentle stretch in bed. Five slow breaths. A glass of warm lemon water. These tiny rituals are like seeds—small, but full of potential.

    🗂️ 2. Use Anchor Moments

    Anchor your day with fixed moments you can build around, like:

    • Morning medication
    • Afternoon tea
    • Evening skincare

    Even if everything else changes, these anchors keep your day from drifting.

    ✍️ 3. Let Go of “Perfect”

    On the hard days (and they will come), your routine will look different. That’s okay. Progress doesn’t always look like onward motion—it often looks like rest, or simply choosing one nourishing thing. Watching my favourite show or listening to soothing tunes are my preferred choices for downtime.

    📋 4. Keep a “Grace List”

    This is a list of 3-5 simple, soul-lifting things you can do when everything feels overwhelming. Mine includes:

    • Listening to a comforting podcast
    • Laying under a heated blanket
    • Watching the clouds for five minutes

    It’s not about being productive—it’s about being present.

    💡 5. Celebrate Tiny Wins

    Made your bed? That’s a win. Did you wash your hair today? Another win. Routines after illness aren’t about hustle—they’re about healing. Each tiny act is a declaration: I’m still here. I’m still trying.

    💖 Final Thoughts

    Reclaiming your routine after illness isn’t about recreating who you were. It’s about honouring who you are now. Let each gentle habit whisper to you: You are worthy of care, even when life is messy. Especially then!. 🌞

    With strength and graciousness,
    Aimée ❤️✨

  • Gracefully Chronic After 50: Sharing My Story to Inspire and Empower

    Gracefully Chronic After 50: Sharing My Story to Inspire and Empower

    Welcome to Fiftyandmore: Grace, Grit, and Chronic Living

    Turning 50 didn’t just add candles to the cake—it lit a fire in me. It brought clarity, wisdom, and a deeper connection with my body and the challenges it faces. In my forties, I faced a wave of unexpected health struggles—rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia (still without full answers), and the lasting impact of a half-colectomy. I didn’t choose these battles, but I’m learning to live with them.

    As a single mother working full-time, there are no pauses, no real “days off.” Even when life slows down, the pain doesn’t. But neither does my encouraging spirit.

    That’s why I created Fiftyandmore. This isn’t just a blog—it’s my soft place to land. A space where I can breathe, create, and connect in a way that honors my limits and nourishes my spirit. It’s a passion project I can manage, and more than that, it’s a heartfelt offering to women like me. I hope you connect and enjoy it.

    Here, I’ll share the routines, products, and mindset shifts that help me move through each day with grace. I’ll open up about what it’s like to live with invisible pain, while still showing up—for family, for work, and most importantly, for myself.

    Because you can live gracefully after 50, no matter what life throws your way.

    Let’s rise softly, together.


    With strength and graciousness,
    Aimée ❤️✨