The Biggest Mistakes I Made After My Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I thought the hardest part would be learning how to inject insulin or count carbohydrates.

I was wrong.

The hardest part was learning how to be patient with myself. Looking back, these are some of the biggest mistakes I made—not because I wasn’t trying, but because I was learning.

1. Focusing Too Much on the Number on the Scale

One of the hardest things for me was accepting that losing weight isn’t as straightforward with Type 1 Diabetes. I spent so much time watching the scale that I forgot to notice other victories—better food choices, more movement, and healthier habits.

The scale is only one measure of progress. It doesn’t tell the whole story.

2. Being Too Hard on Myself

Every high blood sugar felt like I had failed. Every difficult day made me question whether I was doing enough.

The truth is, diabetes is demanding. You’re making dozens of decisions every single day that most people never have to think about. You deserve kindness from yourself, especially on the difficult days.

3. Trying to Figure Everything Out on My Own

I thought I had to know all the answers immediately. I felt embarrassed when I didn’t.

Over time, I realized that asking questions doesn’t make you weak—it helps you grow. Whether it’s your healthcare team, family, friends, or the diabetes community, support can make a huge difference.

4. Expecting Diabetes to Fit Into My Old Life

I wanted life to stay exactly the same after my diagnosis.

But diabetes changes everyday routines. Meals take planning. Exercise takes preparation. Even stress, sleep, hormones, and the weather can affect blood sugar.

Accepting those changes wasn’t giving up—it was learning how to live well with diabetes.

5. Letting One Bad Day Define My Progress

A high blood sugar doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

Neither does eating something unexpected, forgetting to pre-bolus, or having a difficult week.

Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about what you do most of the time, not what happens on one challenging day.

6. Overcorrecting High and Low Blood Sugars

This is probably one of the mistakes I still have to remind myself about.

I’d see a high blood sugar and immediately want to bring it down as quickly as possible. I’d inject extra insulin before giving the previous dose enough time to work.

Or I’d treat a low blood sugar with far more carbohydrates than I actually needed because I was scared.

Both usually led to a frustrating cycle of highs, lows, and more corrections.

I’ve learned that insulin needs time to work, and treating lows doesn’t have to mean eating everything in sight. Waiting is often the hardest part—but it’s also one of the most important lessons.

What I’ve Learned

Looking back, I don’t regret making these mistakes.

They taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of giving myself grace.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about learning, adapting, and continuing to show up for yourself every single day.

If you’re newly diagnosed—or if you’ve been living with T1D for years—please remember this:

You don’t have to be perfect.

Some days will be harder than others, and that’s okay.

As long as you keep trying, you’re doing better than you think.

With love,

Ema💙