A Smaller World

When I started this blog two and a half years ago, I had no connection to diabetes in my own life. I didn’t think that there was anything out there on the interwebs about diabetes, besides from the medical jargon. Quite honestly, I was a completely different person.

I started this blog as more of a creative outlet, rather than a diabetes one. I had always liked the idea of a blog. A fresh post, with the date stamped right underneath the title. That little archive on the sidebar, with posts categorised by years and months to look back on. Words, sentences, paragraphs and comments felt so much more meaningful than some of the stuff being shared on social media. I loved the idea of checking in regularly to this digital diary, of sorts. One thing I really despised was seeing blogs that had been abandoned after a handful of posts.

When I first began writing here, I couldn’t really tell you why. I didn’t know the answer to that question myself. I didn’t really imagine that I would be talking to other people with diabetes, or even to myself. Or that I might be using this as my own soapbox. 

Blogging, along with social media, was my very first glimpse into the lives of other people with diabetes. It was a way for me to connect to others who were going through the same thing that I was. I was very heavily invested in the beginning, and blogging was probably a way of filling that missing peer support in my own life.

Today, I am better supported. I feel more empowered to ensure that my diabetes healthcare professionals are working for me and meeting my needs. I’ve been an invited guest at various diabetes conferences, where I’ve been lucky enough to put faces to other diabetes bloggers. There’s also the YAC legends, who are a great bunch of young adults who put together events for the diabetes community here in Perth.

Diabetes has crept into most of my online life. While I genuinely do cherish my d-community, during times of burnout it’s hard not to feel like it’s always there. I can’t leave it at work when I go home. When I go to sleep at night, there’s people on the other side of the world who are just getting their day started. I do feel twinges of guilt when I haven’t checked in here as often as I’d like. It’s taken time for me to learn to set boundaries around emails and social media notifications, and to put myself first.

Despite those downsides, there’s something that keeps pulling me back towards blogging and this amazing community.

Connection. There’s been a resounding theme of connection throughout this amazing journey. I’ve met so many amazing people, both online and in person, some of whom I am lucky enough to call friends.

The outcome of these connections is a happier Frank, who is more confident to live with and manage his diabetes to the best of his ability.

I guess that’s my reason why I continue to blog today. As crappy as this condition is, I am extremely passionate about the topic of diabetes. I genuinely do enjoy writing here. I’ve documented so much of my journey here, and I’m incredibly proud of this little corner of the internet. I still feel that I have a unique story to tell.

In 2015, I never imagined a life where connection to other people with diabetes would contribute to my physical and mental wellbeing.

Diabetes blogging has made my world a lot smaller today, and for that I am extremely grateful.

3 Comments

  1. Rick Phillips

    I think I said it about two years ago, welcome to the DOC. We are richer because you joined us, I hope you feel richer as well.

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