Tag: health

  • 🌿 Finding Strength in Grief: Navigating Loss While Living With Chronic Illness 💜

    🌿 Finding Strength in Grief: Navigating Loss While Living With Chronic Illness 💜

    Grief has a way of arriving uninvited, heavy and relentless. Losing a parent is a heartbreak 💔 that reaches into every corner of your life—it reshapes the way you see the world and the way you carry yourself through each day. For those of us also living with chronic illnesses, grief doesn’t come alone. It intertwines with the physical pain we already know so well, amplifying fatigue, flaring symptoms, and challenging our already delicate balance.

    It’s an emotional and physical double weight that can feel impossible to carry. And yet—we do. 🌸

    The Layered Challenge of Loss and Illness 🕊️

    When grief collides with conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, or the long-term effects of surgeries, the toll is both visible and invisible. Our bodies are already working overtime just to keep up with daily routines. Add in sleepless nights, stress hormones surging, and the raw ache of missing someone deeply, and it’s no wonder flare-ups follow.

    But here’s the truth I keep returning to: while we cannot erase grief or illness, we can choose how to respond to them. We can lean into calm rather than letting stress take the wheel.

    Choosing Calm Over Stress ☁️

    Calm doesn’t mean we don’t feel the loss. It means creating small, intentional moments where our bodies and minds can breathe. A cup of tea sipped slowly. A walk in the cool air, even if short. Turning off the noise and sitting in quiet reflection.

    Stress tightens the body and fuels pain. Calm, even in fleeting doses, softens it. By choosing calm, we’re choosing to protect ourselves—not from grief itself, but from letting grief worsen our conditions.

    Coping With Grace and Resilience 🌺

    Coping doesn’t mean “getting over it.” It means holding space for the sorrow while also honoring the life still in front of us. Some days will feel unbearable; others will carry glimpses of light. The strength is not in pretending everything is fine—it’s in allowing ourselves to feel, rest, and still keep moving gently forward.

    Resilience is built in these small, quiet acts:

    • Allowing yourself to cry without guilt 😢
    • Asking for help without shame 🤝
    • Saying no to what drains you and yes to what restores you 💖
    • Finding rituals to honor your parent’s memory 🌹 keeping love alive in ways that bring peace.

    The Hope in the Road Ahead 🌈

    Grief may always travel with us, but so will love ❤️. And in time, the sharp edges soften into something more bearable. For those of us living with chronic illnesses, this journey teaches us again and again that resilience is not about pushing harder—it’s about choosing grace over strain, calm over chaos, hope over despair.

    The road ahead will still hold pain, but it will also hold moments of joy, connection, and meaning 🌟. And with each gentle step forward, we learn that we are stronger than both grief and illness combined.

    💖 Final Thoughts

    If you are walking through the layered weight of loss and chronic illness, know this—you are not alone. Strength isn’t about never breaking down. It’s about standing back up, again and again, with love and resilience as your compass. 🧭💜

  • Finding Balance: Vacation, Family Time & Chronic Illnesses

    Finding Balance: Vacation, Family Time & Chronic Illnesses

    Vacations look a little different when you live with chronic illnesses. Summer brings the excitement of travel, family gatherings, and making memories. For those of us managing pain, fatigue, or health limitations, it can also bring the quiet anxiety of “how will I keep up?”

    I’ve learned that balance isn’t about doing everything the way I once imagined—it’s about creating space for joy and honoring the boundaries my body sets.

    The Myth of the “Perfect Vacation”

    Now that my child is a teenager, the challenges look a little different. It’s less about chasing after little feet and more about navigating group dynamics when extended family travels together. Larger family trips can be wonderful, but they also come with layers of planning, expectations, and energy that aren’t always easy when you’re managing illness.

    Sometimes I worry my slower pace might hold others back, especially when the group is eager to pack the days full of activities. But here’s the truth: my teen doesn’t need me to be everywhere, all the time. What matters most is being present in the right moments—sharing laughter over dinner, joining a walk when I can, or simply listening during quiet one-on-one time.

    Your family, whether it’s just your teen or a whole group traveling together, doesn’t need perfection—they need connection.

    Gentle Planning, Gracious Living

    Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

    • Plan Rest as Part of the Vacation
      Instead of seeing downtime as “missing out,” I now build it into the trip. A quiet afternoon reading, a nap before dinner, or simply sitting by the water can be as memorable as a full day of excursions.
    • Communicate Honestly
      Let family know your energy levels ahead of time. Saying “I’ll join you for the morning, but I’ll need the afternoon to recharge” sets expectations and avoids last-minute disappointments.
    • Choose Flexibility Over Rigid Schedules
      Illness doesn’t run on vacation time. Having open, flexible plans allows space for the days when your body asks for more care.
    • Find Joy in Small Moments
      Sometimes the sweetest memories aren’t in the big events but in the simple ones—sharing coffee on a balcony, watching your teen laugh at a silly game, or stargazing together at night.

    Releasing the Guilt

    As women, mothers, and caregivers, we often carry the weight of “being enough.” Chronic illness can make that even heavier. But your presence, your love, and your laughter—even in smaller doses—are more than enough.

    Vacations are not about proving endurance. They are about collecting moments of peace, laughter, and connection.

    A New Kind of Vacation

    For me, balance means letting go of what a vacation “should” look like and embracing what it can look like: gentle mornings, slower days, and the freedom to rest without apology.

    If you’re traveling with illness, remember this: you don’t have to keep up—you only have to be there, in the way you can. And sometimes, that presence, lived with honesty and grace, creates the most lasting memories of all.

    💖 Final Thoughts

    Vacation, family time, and illness don’t always fit together neatly—but life rarely does. What matters most isn’t doing it all; it’s choosing the moments that matter most and showing up for them with love. That is enough. You are enough.

    Aimée

  • Graceful Aging Skincare Products I Truly Love

    Graceful Aging Skincare Products I Truly Love

    Aging is a privilege, but some days, my skin tells a different story. Between chronic pain, fatigue, and mood swings, my skin often feels tired before I even start my day. Over the years, I’ve searched for skincare products that don’t promise miracles but instead support my skin to look its healthiest at every age.

    Below, I’m sharing some of my tried-and-true favourites. These are products I personally use or deeply trust, chosen with the same gracious care I use when recommending anything to friends. This post includes Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase through them – helping me keep Fiftyandmore going as a soft landing space for women like us.

    1. Lancôme UV Expert Defense SPF 50+

    Daily Hydration + Sun Protection

    This is my everyday hero. It’s a lightweight moisturizer, makeup primer, and high-SPF sunscreen in one. Formulated with antioxidant-rich Vitamin E and moringa extract, it protects against UV and pollution while keeping skin feeling plump and hydrated. It never leaves a white cast on my olive-toned skin, which is a win in my books.

    👉 Check it out on Amazon here

    2. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

    For Overnight Renewal

    Fibromyalgia often disrupts my sleep, and lack of restorative sleep shows on my skin. This serum helps my face look less fatigued, smoothing fine lines and adding a rested glow. It’s an investment, but each bottle lasts months, and a little goes a long way.

    👉 View Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair on Amazon

    3. Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Face Serum

    Plumping, Brightening & Strengthening in One Step

    This serum is like a multivitamin for my skin. On days when my chronic illness flares or the fatigue from rheumatoid arthritis feels heavy, my skin reflects that stress. This powerhouse from Lancôme delivers hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin C for brightness, and niacinamide for barrier repair—all in one beautifully layered formula. It absorbs effortlessly and makes my skin feel firmer, fresher, and more supported.

    Yes, it’s a splurge. But for me, this one serum replaces three separate steps, making my routine easier and more manageable—especially on the days when my energy is low.

    👉 Discover Lancôme Rénergie Triple Serum on Amazon

    4. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

    Gentle, Reliable Cleansing

    I used to think cleansing was an afterthought until I discovered this balm. It melts away makeup and sunscreen effortlessly without leaving my skin tight or irritated. On high pain days, using this with a warm cloth feels calming and soothing – like a mini spa moment before bed.

    👉 Explore Clinique Cleansing Balm on Amazon

    5. Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray

    Soothing Relief Anytime

    This simple thermal water spray has been a lifesaver on days when my skin feels inflamed, flushed, or overly sensitive. I keep it by my work desk to refresh and soothe my face during flares or when hot flashes hit. It’s also wonderful after cleansing or before moisturizing to prep my skin gently.

    👉 Find Avène Thermal Water Spray on Amazon

    6. CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

    Barrier Support + Peptides

    Affordable and effective, this cream combines ceramides and peptides to support the skin barrier, essential when chronic inflammation affects skin health. It feels calming and non-irritating, even on flared-up days.

    👉 Find CeraVe Night Cream on Amazon

    💖 Final Thoughts

    Why Skincare Matters Beyond Vanity

    Living with chronic illness and aging gracefully both require deep self-compassion. Skincare is not about chasing youth – it’s about caring for the only skin we have, honouring it for all it carries us through. Whether I’m getting ready for a work meeting or winding down with a heating pad at night, these small rituals remind me I’m worthy of care, no matter what the mirror shows that day.

    Thank you for walking this journey with me.

    With strength and graciousness,
    Aimée.

  • 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!

    Aimée.