 |
One Step Closer to Diabetic Foot Safety—Literally! |
"How can I keep up with this endless list of things to do just to stay safe from diabetic foot complications?"
The words felt like a gut punch the first time I heard them. Not just because they echoed something I’d been struggling to articulate myself, but because they carried this unbearable weight. You know that feeling—when the sheer magnitude of everything you’re supposed to be doing presses down so hard it feels impossible to breathe? Yeah, it’s that.
Living with diabetes isn’t just a condition; it’s a full-time job, and not the kind you clock out of at 5 p.m. The care tasks—those seemingly small, harmless reminders—pile up like unopened emails. Check your feet. Wear the right socks. Wash, moisturize, but not between your toes (don’t forget that). Clip your nails just so. It’s this never-ending stream of obligations that leaves you questioning: Am I doing enough? Did I miss something? What happens if I mess up?
Let me say this—if you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning under it all, you’re not imagining things. It is a lot.
And then there’s the fear, lurking in the background like some shadow you can’t shake. It whispers things you try not to think about. “What if this tiny crack in my heel turns into something worse?” You catch yourself scanning Google images, spiraling down that black hole of worst-case scenarios, and before you know it, you’re convinced any mistake could cost you dearly.
The other day, someone shared a story about their mom, who ignored a blister. It started as nothing, they said—just a little spot. But within weeks, it turned into something... catastrophic. They didn’t finish the story, but honestly, they didn’t need to. We’ve all heard the cautionary tales, haven’t we?
So, here we are, caught between doing everything and the fear of doing nothing. It’s exhausting. And let’s be real—sometimes you don’t want to hear another lecture about what you should be doing, right? The checklists are already taped to the fridge. The reminders are pinging on your phone.
But maybe there’s a way to reframe this. Not in that overly optimistic, Pinterest-quote kind of way. (Let’s not even go there.) What if the endless list wasn’t just about avoiding disaster? What if it was about carving out moments of control in a world that sometimes feels wildly out of it?
I’ll tell you a story—stay with me here, even if it seems a little random.
Last winter, I bought this stupidly expensive pair of boots. Not because I needed them (well, okay, my feet did), but because they made me feel grounded. Literally and figuratively. Every time I laced them up, it was like a small act of defiance—against the chaos, the fear, the what-ifs. Silly? Maybe. But you know what? Those boots made walking feel... intentional. Like I was stepping into something better, even if it was just another trip to the grocery store.
That’s what this is about. Not just checking boxes but finding those small acts of care that remind you—you’ve got this.
Now, I’m not saying it’s easy. There are days when even looking at my feet feels like too much. The cuts, the dry patches, the parts that don’t look like they belong to me anymore. It’s hard. And sometimes, you need to acknowledge that without pretending everything’s okay.
But here’s what helps, at least for me:
First, simplify. Not everything on the list has to happen all at once. Start with the basics. Look at your feet every day—not because someone told you to, but because they’re yours. They carry you, for better or worse.
Second, lean on tools that make it easier. Foot mirrors, moisturizing socks, apps that remind you to check in—they exist for a reason. You’re not supposed to do this alone or in the hardest way possible.
And let’s not forget the people. I know, asking for help feels weird—like admitting defeat. But sometimes, it’s not about help; it’s about connection. My best friend texts me every week, asking, “How are the toes?” It’s her way of checking in, and honestly, it’s a lifesaver.
But here’s the kicker—and maybe this sounds a little dramatic, but hear me out: It’s not just about keeping your feet safe. It’s about the life you want to live with them.
I was scrolling TikTok last week (don’t judge), and there was this guy, mid-50s maybe, dancing barefoot on the beach. The caption said something cheesy like, “Grateful for every step.” Normally, I’d roll my eyes at that kind of thing. But this time, I didn’t. Because isn’t that the goal? To be able to move through the world—maybe not carefree, but cared for?
So, if the list feels like too much, take a breath. Step back. What’s one thing you can do today that feels like a win? Maybe it’s just slipping on those padded socks or booking that overdue podiatrist appointment.
Look, I don’t have all the answers. Some days, I’m barely holding it together myself. But what I do know is this: every small step you take is a step away from fear and toward freedom.
And yeah, there’ll be stumbles. Days when you forget, when you mess up, when it feels like too much. That’s okay. You’re not perfect, and you’re not supposed to be.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about conquering the list. It’s about learning to live with it—and finding your own way to walk through it, one step at a time.
