How Do You Improve Your Relationship With T1D?

It’s a question I think about a lot. After all, it’s at the center of everything I create for the T1D community.

Because without improving your relationship with diabetes, every action around diabetes can still feel rigid and exhausting.

For example, let’s say you HATE prebolusing. You feel so much frustration that you have to wait 15 minutes before you eat.

It’s tough to commit to a habit that causes you negative emotion like that.

So you’re probably not going to stick to it.

With a better relationship with T1D, you may not want to do a prebolus, but you just kinda… do it. Apathetically. Accept that it’s part of what helps you feel good. Like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.

So the relationship to T1D is important. It keeps things sustainable.

But I’ve seen that it’s also very tough to improve your relationship with T1D when the numbers are constant roller coasters. It’s hard to “just accept it” when those ups and downs cause so. much. frustration.

And the truth is, T1D management and our relationship to T1D are deeply intertwined. And improvement in one can lead to an improvement in the other. 

I’ve noticed some patterns in my clients (and myself) who have been going through this journey and found success in both these areas. It’s the mindset around certain management strategies that leads to the long-term results.

Here are some of these things they have in common:

1. They feel stuck, but they know it’s not permanent.

When you tell yourself, “This is just how it is. I’ll always be battling uphill,” your brain believes you.

But when you start believing that change is possible, your brain begins searching for ways to make it happen. (This is called self-efficacy: the belief that your actions can influence your outcomes. AKA confidence!!!)

That’s why mindset is just as important as your pump settings or carb ratios. It creates the space for growth.

For me, that shift happened when I was living abroad in Ireland. I didn’t have a CGM, my A1C was in the 8s (which was my best in 10 years), and I finally started to believe after 18 years with T1D that I actually could do this, even though I hadn’t seen the results yet.

That trust in myself is what helped me show up again and again and eventually brought me here!!

2. They commit to the unglamorous stuff.

I’m going to be so honest here, the tasks involved with improving T1D management can get pretty boring. Prebolusing. Testing ratios. Trial and error. None of it is fun or flashy. But doing the basics really well, consistently, is what actually moves the needle.

I still have moments where I think, “Ugh, I don’t want to do this.” But every time I do, I remind myself that the small things (logging, timing, troubleshooting) are what make the big things like travel, dinners out, and workouts easier and more enjoyable. Having systems and habits and a PLAN that make these actions feel automatic helps so much.

3. They trust the process.

There’s a difference between control and influence. We can’t demand our blood sugar to stay at 100, but we can influence it. Through timing, nutrition, movement, and stress management, we can create an environment where insulin responds more predictably in our bodies.

When we focus on control, we expect instant results. When we flip the focus on influence, it’s easier to embrace the delayed gratification of sustainable growth.

That’s where real transformation happens.

For me, it took nearly two years of consistency before things truly clicked. I created my programs to speed up this process for you (still not a quick fix, but bypassing the many missteps I took!!)

4. They make peace with the fact that it’s never over.

Our bodies are dynamic. Hormones, stress, routines, seasons, and sleep all shift constantly. You can’t “win” at diabetes, because there’s no finish line. But you can learn to find peace in the process.

If we approach diabetes as something to conquer, we’ll always feel behind. But when we learn to work with it, it becomes less of a burden and more of a partnership. Finding joy in your workouts, nutrition, and routine helps keep this sustainable and FEEL GOOD. Your relationship with T1D doesn’t have to be *perfect *. Nor does your management. Just like any relationship, there will be challenges and conflict. What matters most is your willingness to stay curious, to learn, and to keep showing up and moving FORWARD.

And the real reward isn’t just a steady CGM line. It’s the energy, freedom, and peace you get back in your life!!

If you’re struggling with your relationship with T1D, let me know if there’s a part of this that resonates most with you! My next group program is currently enrolling! If you want support, direction, and a PLAN to help feel better in your management, THIS IS FOR YOU!! Learn more about the program here!