One Year Diaversary: Lessons I’ve Learned From My Type 1 Diabetes
What the heck is a diaversary? Well, in the type 1 world, this is your anniversary of your diabetes diagnosis otherwise known as a “diaversary.” Not everyone celebrates this day or even acknowledges this date of theirs. But I find it refreshing and definitely something to celebrate! It’s a positive reminder of something that did in fact change my life forever— but for the better. A reminder that I am the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. A reminder of how I am thriving, working and fighting daily to control this difficult disease of mine, and it’s nice to give that some recognition. I am proud to have type one diabetes. Something I recently learned is that I am not a type one ‘diabetic.’ Rather, I have type one diabetes. Diabetes does not define me. It is only a disease that I have learned to live with. I celebrate this day as a reminder to reflect on myself and know that I’m defying odds and kicking some major butt.
In this past year of learning about my disease, collecting the knowledge and tools to best take care of myself, and going through constant trial + error— I have learned so much about myself, my body, and LIFE. So today, I am here to share with you some of those life lessons I’ve learned.
What I’ve Learned From Type 1 Diabetes:
Be patient with yourself and your body. Always.
Technology is FREAKIN’ amazing. The tools and medical devices available in the diabetic world is amazing. My continuous glucose monitor and my insulin pod/pump help to make my life so much easier and less painful in my everyday life. I am so lucky and thankful to have them! Be aware of the technology out there.
Appreciate the small victories in life. You do amazing things everyday and you work your butt off. You are literally doing everything a vital organ does ON YOUR OWN. You are a badass, you are a pancreas!!
Diabetes sucks, you didn’t choose to have it, you can’t get rid of it. IT’S OKAY to acknowledge it’s a shitty disease sometimes. Find ways to cope with what may be anger, stress, sadness or frustration. Need some helpful tips? Go exercise, go hit some shit in a rage room, go for a bike ride, eat the carbs you want (don’t forget to bolus tho!), SCREAM, express yourself, watch a funny movie, go on a run, vent to someone, talk with someone who also struggles with type 1 diabetes, get a good cry in. A great resource to connect with other T1D’s is Beyond Type One’s app! Download it here today.
Exercise is your best friend. Especially biking, walking, and hiking! This helps regulate my sugars so much, and makes me feel awesome. Type 1 or not, it is so important to get your body moving.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Always be prepared with low snacks- you never know when a low can hit. Make sure to have extra supplies with you, you never know when your pump will be ripped off or a pod will fail. With diabetes, and life in general you gotta learn to roll with the punches sometimes!
A high blood sugar number is just INFORMATION. Information for you to take and decide what you want to do next to fix that. Go on a walk, bike, take more insulin, wait a bit— it’s only information. What you do with that information is important. Same rules go for a low glucose number!
There will be really good days and there will be bad days. There will be days you are feeling low (no pun intended) and it’s important to acknowledge when you’re feeling like this!! But it’s also important to choose to acknowledge, learn and move on. A rainy day is just as important as a sunny day. Find and be aware of what makes you feel happy, what lifts you up, and surround yourself with people who help you become the best YOU.
Thank goodness for INSURANCE! It makes me cringe to think of people who do not have insurance, a good insurance, or who struggle to pay for their insulin or any medical devices that help them be their healthiest. I am forever grateful for health insurance.
Resources are amazing! Reading these couple books have changed my way of thinking of diabetes. Read these awesome resources linked! Bright Spots & Landminds and Think Like A Pancreas.
Be your own priority. T1D impacts all parts of your life. You have to be the number one person looking out for yourself in a world that largely doesn’t understand T1D.
Low carb recipes are doable, easy, and actually taste GOOD! There is so much variety when cooking and baking low carb. There are so many easy adjustments to make your life a little easier. Less carbs, means less insulin and less spikes! Stevia has become my best friend this past year. Zoodles have become my pasta most days (sometimes you need the real shit) I’ve discovered Zevia sodas, and they’re amazing. Monkfruit sweetener instead of maple syrup for breakfast pancakes, waffles and more. AND SO MUCH MORE! Low carb eating is a great option for diabetics, but it’s okay to eat what you want at times as long as you plan and bolus correctly for it!
I’m not perfect, life can be unpredictable, and every once in a while you deserve to say, ‘Screw this, I’m eating the damn donut.” I can’t stress this enough. Enjoy life’s treat. Have the cocktail you want, drink the beer, down the donut, eat the cake. But be sure to bolus the best you can. You can’t let diabetes control you! You control your diabetes.
You determine your health. Diabetes has made me the healthiest I’ve ever been, because I choose to take care of my body at the best of my ability. Be kind to your body and make it a priority.
