Chronically Climbing Blog

I’ve been writing professionally for more than 15 years, with work published by Her Campus, HelloGiggles, Thrive Global, Beyond Type 1, Beyond Type 2, Type 1 Strong, Insulin Nation, Thought Catalog, Breakthrough T1D, and others.

This blog brings together my writing on type 1 diabetes, chronic illness, identity, culture, and the things I find interesting along the way.

I’ve also run several lifestyle blogs over the years, including Miss Trend She and Julia in Red. Those sites are now archived, but their influence on my writing—and some of their best ideas—continues here.

Chronically Climbing is where I write outside of client work. Expect personal essays, observations, opinions, and stories about living with T1D and navigating life more generally here.

Julia's Journal

Insights from Julia Flaherty's experiences living with type 1 diabetes as a writer, content marketer, health coach, and entrepreneur in her quest for meaning, fulfillment, abundant creativity, joy, and service to others.

Children Are a Choice, Not a Default

Why do women still have to defend choosing not to have children? This is a personal reflection on authenticity, autonomy, and respecting every path to fulfillment.

Julia Flaherty

Jul 304 min read

Community Was the Mirror, Not the Answer

A note before you read: The reflections in this essay are based on my own experiences and observations after years of participating in the diabetes online community. They won't reflect everyone's experience, nor are they meant to. I've also met countless people who make this community welcoming, generous, and supportive. My hope isn't to criticize the community, but to encourage a conversation about how we continue making space for one another. Community Was the Mirror, Not t

Julia Flaherty

Jul 285 min read

Language Matters in Health Spaces

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from working in health spaces is this: Language matters. More than we think.

Julia Flaherty

Mar 22 min read

What the Movie "F*ck Valentine's Day" Gets Right and Wrong About Diabetes

We need to talk about what the movie "F*ck Valentine's Day gets right and wrong about diabetes because I cannot take another cheap shot at it from Hollywood. Ugh!

Julia Flaherty

Feb 253 min read

I Don't Know About You, But My Diabetes is 22

Today, my diabetes turns 22. That is, it's my 22nd diaversary. Here's how I'm feeling, all these years in.

Julia Flaherty

Jan 55 min read

Peace at Every Range: Learning to Live in the In-Between with T1D

We have learned to focus on the highs and lows with T1D but often forget about the in-between, which is where we spend most of our time. Chronically Courageous is for anyone seeking peace at every range.

Julia Flaherty

Nov 24, 20254 min read

Type 1 Diabetes Poem: Today, I Will Start

Today, I Will Start: A Type 1 Diabetes Poem. Today, I will stop. I will stop telling myself that type 1 diabetes is a problem to be solved. I will stop telling myself there’s something inherently wrong with me, that I need to be fixed.

Julia Flaherty

Nov 17, 20252 min read

A Birthday Wish I Wish I Could Permanently Blow Out the Candle For

When it comes to type 1 diabetes support, I've approached it in different ways throughout the years. As we start another NDAM in 2025, I can't help but reflect on my hopes for the future of all people living with type 1 diabetes.

Julia Flaherty

Nov 3, 20254 min read

Love Is Blind Season 9 and the Type 1 Diabetes Conversation Everyone’s Talking About

A viral Love Is Blind Season 9 moment revealed how much we still misunderstand diabetes. As someone with type 1 diabetes (T1D), I see this as a lesson in learning and grace. Here's what happened and why it matters.

Julia Flaherty

Oct 31, 20256 min read

Am I Hypo Unaware?

Am I hypo unaware? This is a question I had to ask myself recently after I realized I was walking around my house at 36 mg/dL the same way I walked around it at 82 mg/dL.

Julia Flaherty

Oct 27, 20254 min read

When Blood Sugars Hit the Kitchen Floor

This is what happens when blood sugars hit the kitchen floor. I believe in being vulnerable. This is my story at 38 mg/dL.

Julia Flaherty

Oct 20, 20252 min read

We Need to Flip the Script on Self-care

Self-care is a requirement for well-being, yet we are so often taught that prioritizing ourselves is selfish. We need to flip the script.

Julia Flaherty

Oct 13, 20252 min read

Change Must Start with Self-Love: Including Weight

Change must start with self-love, including our weight loss goals. If you live with a chronic illness like type 1 diabetes, I know it's complicated. Here are my thoughts on that after navigating my health with T1D over the past 21 years.

Julia Flaherty

Oct 6, 20252 min read

Seasons Change, So Can We

What does it take to change our behavior? Realizing we have control over ourselves: how we show up, how we react, and how we take care of our bodies. One step at a time.

Julia Flaherty

Sep 29, 20251 min read

I Believe Creativity and Healing are Closely Linked: Here’s Why

I believe healing and creativity are closely linked. This is why!

Julia Flaherty

Sep 15, 20252 min read

I’m 31: This is Why I Relate to Belly

At 31, I never thought I’d find myself relating to a teenager but here I am finally understanding Belly from “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”

Julia Flaherty

Sep 8, 20254 min read

5-Minute Self-care: Affordable Beauty and Skincare Product Recommendations to Help You Find Your Zen

Ready to embrace five minutes of self-care? Here are my top affordable beauty and skincare product recommendations to help you find your zen! I hope you love them as much as I do.

Julia Flaherty

Jul 21, 20256 min read

If Today I Seem Quiet: A Love Letter from Diabetes Burnout

A Diabetes Burnout Poem | If Today I Seem Quiet: A Love Letter from Diabetes Burnout | Chronically Climbing

Julia Flaherty

Jul 7, 20252 min read

An Insulin Pump Didn't Change My Life with Type 1 Diabetes but This Did

An insulin pump didn't change my life with type 1 diabetes, but getting a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) did.

Julia Flaherty

Jun 9, 20255 min read

What I Learned from Participating in 10 Brand Campaigns on Instagram within a Month

This is what I learned from participating in 10 brand campaigns on Instagram in one month. I hope you find my takeaways helpful!

Julia Flaherty

Jun 2, 20255 min read