You Can Target Blood Sugars Without Hating Your Existence
Let’s get this straight from the jump: yes, you need to target blood sugars if you want to avoid complications, death, or becoming a permanent resident at the A&E. But if every day feels like a soulless loop of finger pricks, guilt-ridden meals, and doom-scrolling diabetes forums at 3am, we’ve got a bigger problem. Blood sugar isn’t your full-time personality.
The Reality: Diabetes Burnout Is Real and Relentless
Chasing perfect numbers is like playing darts in the dark with shaky hands. Even when you do hit the target, the win feels hollow. Why? Because no one claps when your meter reads 5.5. Not even you.
And eventually, the relentless pursuit of control becomes… well, controlling.
Stop Worshipping the Glucose Graph
Yes, Dexcom graphs are sexy. Yes, CGMs beep like needy toddlers. But being glued to your numbers all day is a one-way ticket to mental overload.
You are not a glucose graph.
You’re a messy, beautiful human with cravings, moods, and the occasional desire to eat a churro without feeling like a criminal.
Don’t Let the Algorithm Run Your Life
Every app, tracker, and device claims to help you target blood sugars, but some of them do a better job of targeting your sanity. When you’re obsessively refreshing your app more than you check your texts, it’s time to log out and touch some grass.
Where Did Your Joy Go?
When’s the last time you did something just for fun — not because it burned carbs or improved insulin sensitivity?
You don’t have to earn joy. You’re allowed to have it even if your blood sugar is 11.2.
(Look at you. Still alive. Incredible.)
How to Target Blood Sugars and Reclaim Joy
Redefine Success — It’s Not Just in the Numbers
Success isn’t a straight line from 4.4 to 6.6. It’s in how you bounce back from a rollercoaster, how you treat yourself when things go sideways, and whether you can still laugh at your own diabetic disasters.
Eat Without Apologising
Food is not the enemy. You are not a failure because you had dessert. You’re not “cheating” — you’re eating.
What’s the point of living longer if you hate every meal along the way?
Build In Joy Like You Schedule In Insulin
Plan something each day that has nothing to do with diabetes. A walk, a nap, a good book, a full-volume scream into a pillow. Doesn’t matter what — just do it for you, not your pancreas.
Say No to Shame (Even When It’s from Doctors)
If your doctor acts like you’re a blood sugar misfire with legs, find a new one. Shame has no place in health. You’re not a naughty child. You’re a grown adult managing a complex condition like a damn legend.
Laugh at the Madness
Ever injected insulin in a pub toilet with your elbow because your hands were full of nachos? That’s art. Find the absurdity in this condition or it will find you.
Dark humour is survival. Use it.
When You Target Blood Sugars, Don’t Forget to Target Balance
Mindset First, Maths Later
Most of diabetes management is psychological. If your head isn’t in a good place, no spreadsheet will save you. Prioritise mindset and the numbers will follow. Or not. Either way, you’ll handle it better.
Take Breaks (You’re Allowed)
Rest. Detach. Even God took a day off.
You deserve breaks from counting carbs, from diabetes Facebook groups, from trying to be the perfect diabetic unicorn.
You’re not quitting — you’re pacing.
Your Body Is Not a Battlefield
Your body is trying. It’s showing up every day with its tired pancreas and weird hormone responses. Give it some credit. Say thank you. Take care of it like a scruffy but loyal dog, not like a machine that’s constantly breaking down.
Stop Explaining Yourself
You do not owe anyone an explanation for why you’re eating that or why your number is high. Unless they’re your endocrinologist — and even then, keep it short.
Your health is not public property.
You Can Love Life and Target Blood Sugars
You’re Not Lazy — You’re Exhausted
You’re not falling behind. You’re navigating life with a constant background alarm and a to-do list that never ends. Give yourself a break.
Connect With People Who Get It
You weren’t meant to do this alone. Join a group. Message a diabetic mate. Find someone who understands why “just eat better” makes you want to scream into a croissant.
Try Diabetes UK’s support groups.
Be Kind to Future You
Future You doesn’t need perfection. She needs consistency. She needs grace. She needs you to keep going even when it’s messy. Especially when it’s messy.
Here’s the Call to Action (The Only One That Matters)
You’ve done enough suffering.
You’ve done enough tracking.
You’re allowed to love your life while you manage your health.
👉 Get my free guide on how to stop hating diabetes and start loving life — and finally feel seen, not scolded.
You deserve more than numbers. You deserve peace.
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Speak soon,
Pete 🙂
Your Diabetes Mindset Coach