Not the kind that means everything is perfect or predictable, but the kind that feels steady enough to breathe again. After years of living in constant alert mode, managing diabetes, watching numbers, anticipating problems, I realized how often my body and mind were stuck in fight-or-flight without me even noticing.
Matcha & Mindfulness
Stability, for me, starts with routine. Simple, repeatable anchors in my day that signal safety to my nervous system. Waking up around the same time. Gentle movement. And one small ritual that has become surprisingly grounding: matcha.
Matcha isn’t just a drink for me. It’s a pause. Making it forces me to slow down, warm water, whisk, sit.
I gave up coffee a few years ago on the suggestion of my psychologist. It was making me anxious. I kept needing more.
Unlike coffee matcha doesn’t jolt my system into urgency. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine gives a calmer, more even energy that helps me feel focused without feeling wired. That steady feeling matters when your nervous system is already working overtime.
I am a protective mama bear but don’t want to be a grizzly bear that’s always grouchy💙
When my nervous system feels regulated, everything else feels more manageable. My thoughts are clearer. My reactions are softer. I’m less reactive and more responsive. That’s the opposite of fight-or-flight, where everything feels urgent and loud and overwhelming.
This is the matcha I drink from Sipology, a Canadian company. I like that it’s simple, fits into my daily routine, and provides steady energy without needing added sugar. They also offer loose leaf teas and other wellness products, and I’ll link it here for anyone who wants to explore.
Living with chronic responsibility especially as a parent can quietly train your body to stay on high alert.
Matcha is becoming one small way I remind myself that I don’t need to live there. Stability isn’t about eliminating stress; it’s about creating enough consistency and calm that stress doesn’t run the show.
This year, I’m choosing routines that support steadiness over stimulation. Practices that help my body feel safe. Matcha is just one piece of that, but it’s a meaningful one, quiet, intentional, and grounding. A reminder that stability can be built in small, daily ways.
This summer has been one of the most challenging yet when it comes to managing diabetes. My son had a seizure at Disney, a traumatic experience that shook me to my core and reminded me just how unpredictable life with Type 1 can be.
On top of that, my daughter has struggled since going back to injections after using her pump. Her numbers haven’t been great, and it’s been a stressful adjustment for all of us.
Through it all, I’ve been reminded of something important: we can choose how we respond. My daughter has decided she is willing to try something new, and that mindset has been inspiring. I’ve reached out to our clinic about trying Omnipod and looping to help make her diabetes management smoother. Change isn’t always easy, but it opens the door to solutions we might not have considered before.
Starting today September 1st, I’m embracing a renewed mindset. This isn’t about perfection, its about intentionally creating space for joy, reducing stress, and focusing on what matters most: our family, our health, and our energy. Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. With patience, planning, and a willingness to try something different, things eventually turn around.
That constant mental load has made me rethink what I want from my work life. I’m feeling genuinely excited about a new opportunity that allows me to travel more and earn income from home. The idea of flexibility, freedom, and being able to show up fully for my family and my health is incredibly energizing. I wont quit nursing but am looking forward to being casual again.
“Doing diabetes different” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a commitment to approach each day with curiosity, creativity, and compassion for ourselves and our kids. It’s about celebrating the wins, learning from the challenges, and remembering that even after tough seasons, brighter days are ahead.
This September, we’re stepping forward with hope, determination, and a little more joy in our journey with diabetes.
5 Ways to Bring More Joy and Reduce Stress
Celebrate Small Wins – Even a day of your kiddo remembering to bolus, a full night sleep, knowing that someone from school is helping to care for your child. Every little win adds up.
Try Something New – Whether it’s a new device, app, or routine, be open to experimenting. Doing the same thing over and over if it is not working is so frustrating. New strategies can reduce stress and improve control. Or bring back something that had worked before. For us we used to be diligent with looking at Clarity. I plan to bring back my scheduled time once a week to analyze.
Simplify Where You Can – Focus on the essentials, not perfection. Making similar meals week to week, decluttering your house. An organized cabinet of diabetes supplies brings me joy! Little things can bring joy!
Traveling – Travel creates joy by opening our minds to new experiences, cultures, and perspectives. It breaks the routine of daily life and replaces it with adventure, discovery, and connection. Whether it’s tasting new foods, meeting people from different backgrounds, or simply witnessing the beauty of a new landscape, travel sparks a sense of wonder and appreciation. I am planning a lot more travel through my new travel club. If you want to check it out you can take a peak HERE and get savings for 2 nights at a hotel.
💡 Takeaway: Diabetes will always have its challenges, but how we respond is a choice. By trying new strategies, celebrating wins, and creating space for joy, we can transform stress into empowerment—and approach each day with hope.
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for a child and even adults can present unique challenges of frequent needles. Even the word needle can evoke feelings of fear, anxiety, and even panic. As a parent or caregiver, it’s essential to provide compassionate support and guidance to help your child navigate their emotions and manage their condition with confidence and resilience. In this blog post, I will share some strategies and ideas for addressing anxiety and needle phobia in children with type 1 diabetes.
Understanding Anxiety and Needle Phobia
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived threats, but for some children, the fear of needles can become overwhelming and paralyzing. Needle phobia can manifest as intense fear, avoidance behaviors, and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and dizziness.
One thing we were told when my son was diagnosed with type 1 was “Insulin is not an option”. There may be some other things that we may be more flexible about. But from the beginning diabetes needed to be structured in a way that it was not a choice. They needed to check their blood sugar and do their insulin.
Insulin injections are a necessary part of diabetes management, and avoiding or delaying them can lead to serious health complications.
My daughter’s experience with needle phobia
My daughter is a prime example of someone who has had and overcome needle fears. Before being diagnosed with diabetes I remember her reaction to a vaccination when she was 4 years old. It was horrible. So much crying, she was petrified. After it was over she even threw up.
She was diagnosed in our house at about 2am. Her older brother had type 1 diabetes so we were keeping an eye on her. One night she had her milk before bed and said “Mom, I am still thirsty”. My heart sank and I knew that I needed to check her blood sugar.
She was so terrified of needles so I decided to leave it at that moment. I waited until she was asleep and did a finger poke on her. It read 19 mmol/L. I thought shoot that must be a mistake. I will wash her finger better. Second test and it was the same.
The next morning we went to the Childrens Hospital and had all of the things done to confirm her type 1 diabetes diagnosis. We caught it early so did not need to stay in the hospital. Knowing how much she was scared of needles I asked if there was any sort of counsellor/psychologist that could help her. We were lucky and the psychologist had time to meet with us. We practiced some breathing exercises before the blood work and she came with us. It was still very traumatic and there was about 5 of us in the room and needed to hold her down.
That day of diagnosis we were given this magic pinwheel. It was part of our routine for needles and always seemed to help a bit. By visually blowing she would take some deep breaths instead of holding her breath.
Magic Pinwheel for needle phobia
Compassionate Support Strategies
Open Communication: Create a safe and supportive environment for your child to express their fears and concerns openly. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about needles and diabetes without judgment or criticism. Listen actively and validate their emotions, letting them know that it’s okay to feel scared and that you’re there to support them every step of the way.
Education and Empowerment: Knowledge is power, so empower your child with information about their condition and treatment. Explain the importance of insulin injections in managing diabetes and the positive impact they have on their health and well-being. Use age-appropriate language and visual aids to help them understand the process and feel more in control of their care.
Gradual Exposure: Gradually introduce your child to needles and medical procedures in a controlled and supportive manner. Start by showing them the equipment used for insulin injections and allowing them to handle it without pressure. Gradually progress to practicing injection techniques on a soft surface, such as a stuffed animal or cushion, before attempting it on themselves.
Distraction and Relaxation Techniques: Help your child develop coping strategies to manage their anxiety during needle procedures. Encourage deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, or progressive muscle relaxation to promote relaxation and reduce tension. Provide distractions such as music, games, or storytelling to shift their focus away from the needle and onto something positive and enjoyable.
Positive Reinforcement and Rewards: Celebrate your child’s bravery and resilience with praise, encouragement, and rewards for facing their fears and successfully completing needle procedures. One option is to create a reward system with incentives that motivate and inspire them, such as stickers, small toys, or special outings.
Seeking Professional Support
If your child’s anxiety and needle phobia significantly impact their ability to manage their diabetes or participate in medical care, consider seeking professional support from a mental health therapist or counselor specializing in pediatric anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are evidence-based treatments that can help children gradually overcome their fear of needles and develop healthy coping skills for managing anxiety. We personally tried a couple of session of “ART” therapy.
Closing Thoughts
Living with type 1 diabetes requires courage, resilience, and support. As a parent it is so hard to see our children upset. There were times that it brought me to tears and we would cry together. Looking back I wish I had seeked more support earlier on to make it a bit less traumatizing for us both. Navigating the challenges of needles phobias is difficult and needs compassion for both the child and the caregiver. It is normal for kids and adults to be anxious about getting a needle. Remember that you’re not alone on this journey – reach out to healthcare providers, support groups, and online communities for guidance, encouragement. There are always seeming to be new inventions that may help. If something you are doing is not working try something different!
Doing Diabetes Different 