It's that time of year when...

It’s that time of year again when many of us consider making New Year’s Resolutions. Resolutions can be helpful to hit the “re-set” button, and think about things we might consider changing, or doing differently in the upcoming year.  When you live with diabetes, your life is already full of daily tasks to manage this disease.  It may seem daunting to add more. Consider perhaps a shift in the typical goals you may have made in the past, and consider how you can be kinder and more patient with yourself in the year ahead. Success is personal and everyone needs to decide for themselves what is manageable and meaningful to them when it comes to their health.

The following examples may help you set some new goals for yourself:

• I will view my lived experience as expertise.
• I will push myself only when it’s in my best interests to do so.
• I will get enough sleep and rest when I need to.

• I will practice asking for what I need and help for things I struggle with. This may be with my friends, family or health care professionals.

• I will celebrate my successes... whatever that means for me.
• I will explore options to help reduce my stress levels.
• I will try to take my medications and/or insulin as prescribed and ask for support if I have challenges managing this.
• I will try and make more meals at home, focusing on more whole foods, less processed carbohydrates, and less sugary beverages.

• I will find ways to increase my activity that work for me and that I enjoy.

Remember to start small and consider sharing your goals with a trusted family member or friend who will support you. Change is challenging so be compassionate towards yourself when there are “slips” along the way; this is normal and no one is perfect.