Short answer? Because we all have a story. 🙂

 

There’s always more to the story. My life and my story through the eyes-

of a young adult; traveler; Disney/Harry Potter/(“weird shows”) lover; “nerd;” ink obsessing Tattoo/story-telling; pottery wheel enthusiast; college graduate with a degree in Social Work and minor in Sociology from the University of Georgia; originally from a small southern town; lover of respect-originality-quirkiness-creativity-and-equality; who stutters and talks too fast; outgoing introvert; “pinteresting;” awkward; opinionated; sassy; with a lot to say; runner; quote obsessed; writer; clumsy; reader; photographer; crafter; volunteer, camp-loving; speaker; musician; mom to Lilo and Stitch the torties; Netflix-Binge watcher; Coffee/Cheese/Chocolate/Craft-Beer appreciato;, lover of the little things; local-loving; blogger; world changer; author; friend; feminist; advocate; with disdain for things that are not right (lack of equal access, gender norms, social constructs, etc); struggler of self-care; struggling with confidence and self-esteem; trying to focus on myself for once; Bostonian; who identifies as a straight white cisgender women;

who just so happens to have type 1 diabetes, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid issues, asthma, allergies, lactose intolerance, (and more);

but I’m still trying to figure it all out because I proudly don’t know what I’m doing, there’s more to learn, and of course there is always more to the story.

Disclaimer- I do not have any kind of medical degree (science and math are not my thing). My views are also my own and do not reflect where I work or any groups I am involved in. This is not medical or psycho-social advice. Please consult your doctor. Everyone also has different stories. experiences, and views. Please respect those- including mine. -thanks!

I’ve become passionate about There’s More to the Story (as well as you should take me seriously even though I’m “only” 25) in all aspects of life- over the years as my blog has developed and changed along with me.

I started this blog in 2013, the spring before I studied abroad in Paris, at the age of 20. Not knowing what I was doing. I was looking for resources on extended travel, specifically study abroad with diabetes, and was not able to find what I was looking for easily (since then a lot has changed).

I immediately joined the DOC (Diabetes Online Community) and never left. #DOC

I have continued blogging for many reasons- it’s healthy and healing for me. I’m better at writing my feelings and thoughts than I am at speaking them. But one of the main reasons? I’m not a fan of people “talking at me.” I feel like that happens a lot to people with type 1 (and mental health and chronic illness in general of course)- especially as children, teens, and young adults.

I want to practice honesty in how I really feel about chronic illness, mental health, and LIFE. It can change. It can be positive and negative at the same time (and that is okay). Some days I hate it. Some days I appreciate it. I can see the positives with this chronic/invisible illness, but then sometimes I want to tell the world “it sucks.” After my first major experience with Diabetes Burnout, I started trying to be more honest about the not so great parts in the moment if possible. I would only acknowledge the good or “I can do this” attitude. (Balancing all of emotions and life is amazing for my mental health!).

This is all tied together- along with life experiences and feelings and so much more. There’s always more to the story- behind the chronic illness, the mental health, and life. Behind the numbers and the medication. We all have different stories, and we are constantly changing. Certain parts of our story shouldn’t be the main things that define us (like diabetes, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, PCOS, endometriosis), but they can still be a part of it and be a part of who we are- and it’s time the world and ourselves recognize that.

Welcome to a small snapshot of my life. Please check out “I don’t like being placed in a box, including my blog” for posts/features I’m involved in elsewhere.

 

Why There’s More to the Story?

 

Hey you! Yes, you! 

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We’ll both be glad you did! -Mindy