DDD – Diabetes Down Days

Having one of those days? Diabetes Down Days?

No matter how much you educate yourself, how much you prepare for battle in every way; there will still be down days. Days when you feel like giving up.

You had those days before you were diagnosed with diabetes, and it’s normal to have them now.

Rules for the DDD:

• Give yourself a time limit
• Get it all out. Try writing a letter you don’t send, have a good cry–whatever helps you express your grief, anger, sadness, frustration or pain
• Track back. At least do yourself the courtesy of figuring out exactly what triggered how you feel
• Rest. Battling too long without extra mental, physical and spiritual nourishment drains the warrior.
• Indulge in something that makes you feel special like silk pajamas, a hardback book, a special tea cup, or a slice of baklava

When the buzzer goes off and it’s the end of your designated DDD time out- take a moment for review.

Have you activated a support team as part of your treatment plan? Do you have an advocate who can take some of the load on days when you can’t put on your battle gear? Have you cultivated friends who understand exactly what you are going through?

What about you?

Is it possible you haven’t allowed any you time in your busy schedule? Are you trying to juggle all the balls all by yourself in an effort to not let anyone down?

Again. What about you?

Get out your calendar and plan you time.

• How about a movie that makes you smile. You can go by yourself you know. How about Momma Mia?
• What is your favorite store? Hardware store? Bookstore? Used Clothing Boutique? Fabric Store? Art Gallery? Plan an outing around your store. Allow yourself a few hours to window shop then go for a nice cup of tea or the beverage of your choice.
• Take yourself back to your youthful innocence. What haven’t you done since you were a kid? A picnic? A trip to the zoo? Had a fudge sundae? Looked at all the pets in the window of the pet store.
• Pencil in an hour or two to laugh. How about You Tube’s Best In Jest Videos?
• Or how about a bit of retail therapy?

May I recommend a little window shopping here:

1. Etsy
2. Retro Funny Stickers!
3. Illuminations
4. Indygo Junction

And finally, remember that down days are normal. Don’t let your diabetes define you. You are a wonderful person with lots of great attributes that have nothing to do with diabetes, and you have so many things to be thankful for.