5 Real-Life Tips for Navigating Diabetes from the Start

A new diabetes diagnosis comes with an overwhelming flood of emotion—and information. But there are people who’ve been in your exact shoes. 

So, we asked our community to share what they wish they’d heard in those early days. Here are the top five responses:

1. “Always be patient with yourself.”

(Kennedy Washington, Living with type 1 diabetes since November 7, 2001)

Learning how your body works while trying to keep it working is no small task. Give yourself time and grace—not just when you’re first diagnosed, but throughout your journey. There’s no race to figure it all out.

2. “No matter what anyone and I mean ANYONE says, this is not your fault.” 

(Jacquean Kosh, Living with type 2 diabetes since April 18, 2008)

Your diagnosis isn’t something you caused, and it doesn’t define your worth. Tune out the noise and let go of the guilt—you are not to blame. Instead, focus your energy where it matters: on caring for yourself.

3. “Try to get back to your usual routine and activities soon after diagnosis.”

(Maia Bickert, Living with type 1 diabetes since December 26, 2015)

The sooner you ease back into your normal routine, the more grounded you’ll feel. It might take extra effort at first—and that’s okay. Things will get easier, and yes, you can still do all the things you love.

4. “Build a diabetes management team of people you trust.” 

(Jessica Lloyd, Living with type 1.5 diabetes since October 26, 2024)

Managing diabetes takes a team. That might include a primary care provider, an endocrinologist, a pharmacist and—just as important—tools that make learning fun and support groups (hi, that’s us!). Surround yourself with people who have your back.

5. “Don’t compare your diabetes journey to anyone else.”

 (Jill Purvis, Living with type 1 diabetes since April 10, 1998)

 Everyone’s journey with diabetes is different—what works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s okay. Your path is uniquely yours, and so is the way you thrive. Reminding yourself of that can make all the difference.

Need a little help getting started on the right path? The Beginner’s Guides to Thriving with Diabetes, part of Beyond Type 1’s Beyond Diagnosis program, are available for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, in English and Spanish. You can find more advice from people who live with diabetes in our Beyond Diagnosis Community Guide.