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

Reflections on My 22nd Diaversary

Taylor Swift fans will understand the title.

If you're not, I might not be for you.

And that's okay. I'm not for everyone. No one is.

But that's not what this blog post is about.

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

Today marks 22 years of living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for me.

Today, my diabetes is 22.

While I usually feel reflective on my diaversary, today I'd like to leave those learnings in their timeline and focus on the present, because I'm not sure I've done so enough until recently...

Being Present with T1D

My goal for 2026, regardless of diabetes, is to live more intentionally and in the present. To move forward with peace in my heart and alignment with my purpose.

For many years, I've defined my purpose by work.

By creativity.

By how well others thought I was doing.

By the affirmations I received.

By the people I pleased.

But today, I find myself in an era of life where I'm using the exit to get off the people-pleasing lane, owning my truth, and speaking my mind. The relationship between diabetes and that quality is unclear. One could say that because I felt like a burden with my disease before, it shaped that quality now.

But sometimes it's not that deep. Sometimes it doesn't matter.

Understanding is Helpful, Respect is Vital

Over the past year, I've also found that it's not always about understanding someone but learning to respect them, regardless of understanding, listening actively, and hearing clearly.

Not feeling criticized or attacked through disagreement.

Approaching problems productively and proactively, not reactively.

I share this because it's the same approach I have to T1D today: Calm. Present. Focused. Intentional.

Being Intentional with My T1D Habits

This past year, I joined a gym. I had been telling myself for a while that exercise was too strenuous to figure out with diabetes. And it was, at first. But once I got over that learning curve, I was better for it. My blood sugars were better for it.

When I cut back on sugar and actually started eating in moderation, my blood sugar levels improved, too. When you do so much from home, you sometimes give yourself more allowances than if you left the house more. I've found that to be true of myself, anyway...

Thankfully, I also found myself moving out of this all-too-long COVID-19 funk I'd been stuck in. And while the world certainly isn't bright and shiny, I've found a way to live contentedly in the gray. Because life is a lot more gray than black and white.

There's no single truth to many situations in life.

Respecting the Differences in Our Truths

How we all carry ourselves and live our truths is universally different. And yet, we share similarities. That's what I enjoy about connecting with the diabetes community and doing service-driven work through my diabetes health coaching practice.

Clients don't have to talk about diabetes at all. I know... it sounds weird, right? Why would you come to me if not for the reason to talk about diabetes explicitly?

Sure, you can do that. But I've rarely found that to be the case. A lot of people who come to me aren't here to explicitly talk about diabetes but to share about how diabetes impacts their goals or habits.

I get that.

Personal Understanding Offers Comfort & Context

I've found that when you meet a provider or coach who lives with it and has the professional experience, it makes a difference in sessions. We understand each other a little better. And that can be comforting.

You never have to talk about your blood sugar levels. You could talk about wanting to remember to take your meds, hitting the gym, going for more walks with your family, reducing spending habits, you name it! It doesn't have to be directly related to diabetes, because not everything we do in life is.

But diabetes is along for the ride.

There's no denying that.

All-or-Nothing Approaches Support No One in the End

So while a lot of what I do is about diabetes, in a way, I feel a healthier boundary with it than I have in years past. Yes, it's a heavy undertone of my life story and inner narrative, but not the only thing I have going on. It's not what makes me, me. I respond to diabetes because of who I am, not the other way around.

For a while, I had been stuck in all-or-nothing mode. I don't admit this with pride, but I share this because I believe in accountability.

That's why I've shaped my diabetes health coaching around finding the middle ground because it's what I've spent the past six years doing. Leaning into and learning how to find my middle ground.

I believe in practicing what I preach. And coaching isn't about giving advice, but I don't believe in promoting anything I don't believe in.

I do all of the annoying habits that actually make a difference now:

• I follow an 80/20 nutrition approach.

• I drink enough water.

• I get my steps in.

• I get cardio & strength training in.

• I eat a diversity of foods.

• I make it work for my budget.

And it works for my body.

You Have to Find What Works for You

I don't push my lifestyle on clients. I would never do that.

Everyone has to find what works for them. I believe in helping people uncover that, one small step at a time. Because that's what leads to real, lasting change. As I've said, it's taken almost half a decade for me to shape myself this way. Maybe even longer. And it makes me feel good.

But that doesn't mean it'll make you feel good.

Aging with Diabetes: Life After 22 Years with T1D

During this season of life, I think about what it's going to take to get me to the next chapter. Keep reducing sugar and alcohol intake, find joy in movement, find recipes that nourish my body without taking the joy out of food, and let myself have a treat 20% of the time.

I'm not about deprivation.

I'm not all-or-nothing anymore.

And I'm not all about diabetes despite what appearances may suggest on social media.

That's just what I choose to share.

Just because I'm public and present online doesn't mean you know me or get everything from me. What I share here is a series of anecdotes, not the whole story.

So today I'm reminded that my story lives beyond diabetes.

And I'm grateful to have that clarity & calm.

Here's to 22, T1D!

Let's make it 52 more? What do you say?

With the exception of a cure, of course.

I'm open to that, too. Wink wink.