Today is an interesting topic, more so for me, because this is something that I do not talk about on a blog basis. I mean I sometimes mention some small gripe, but at the end of the day, I rarely talk about the mental implications that are running through my head. Today’s post and topic follow this prompt: May is Mental Health Month so now seems like a great time to explore the emotional side of living with, or caring for someone with, diabetes. What things can make dealing with diabetes an emotional issue for you and / or your loved one, and how do you cope? (Thanks go out to Scott of Strangely Diabetic for coordinating this topic.)

I live with diabetes. Diabetes is that awkward person in the room, you just can’t peg. You know the person I am talking about. You try your hardest to play nice with them. You do what you know you should be able to do with them, and yet sometimes they go nuts on you. Screaming “Screw you, I’m going home!” or something along those lines. The worst part being, ofttimes you’ve done nothing wrong.

When it comes to the things that bring me down, most are related to diabetes. I get angry, I get frustrated, some days especially when I am low (which isn’t often) and my mind is wonked, I want to cry. There are things I hate about this disease. I hate that there is no cure, yet. I hate that technology is not really keeping up with what we need, yet. I hate that I just can’t do x, y, or z without bring my friend diabetes along with me, yet. This is what brings me down.

However, if you saw in the previous paragraph, I used the phrase yet. There are things out there that could make a huge impact in ALL of our lives. I am not saying that this is going to happen today, tomorrow, or even in “five years”. But on the horizon there are plans out there to make those “yet’s” possibilities. That is also where the positives come in. Knowing that eventually something better will come along. I mean I would love to see it sooner than later, but at the same time, I know that the future is brighter.

That isn’t the only positive. I mentioned this somewhat on Monday, but without diabetes, I would not have some of my closest friends in the world.

I know not know:

All of these people have come into my life because of diabetes. Well, maybe not Jeanette, I know from other things, but there would not be these people out there to be my support system when I am having a bad day. The people who can pick me up when I am down. How awesome is that?!

I have some great positives in my life. I can be a positive for them, as well. But yes, I have the days when I am grumping around all mopey. I have my days when I want to eat all the sugar in the world.

But I also have days of pure joy and fun. This is what I try to focus on. The positives for me far outweigh the negatives. I try to see the brighter side of things. Does it always work? No. Which is why I am so glad to have my friends in my life.