The Optimization Trap: How to Manage Diabetes Without Striving for Perfection

Is it better to eat carbs first or last? Should I exercise in the morning or the evening? How much water should I drink? A gallon? More? Less? Do other drinks count?

It seems like I’m always running into advice for optimizing my diabetes management. There’s a constant bombardment of “do this, not that!” And while I do want to make the most of my efforts, at some point all of this well-meaning, free advice tips me into overwhelm. And I’m left wondering where the line between optimizing my diabetes routine and perfectionism lies.

An accidental optimization that worked

Soon after my type 2 diabetes diagnosis, I stumbled onto an optimization that really gave good results. At that point, I was taking metformin twice a day, before breakfast and dinner. As it turned out, my daily routine put those doses almost exactly 12 hours apart. I got up at 6 a.m. and I had dinner around 6 p.m. So, I had a steady dose around the clock. It was one of the things that, I believe, contributed to my A1C coming down dramatically.

But that was a happy accident. It wasn’t anything I put conscious effort into. It just turned out that my medication dovetailed easily with my already-established daily routine, and I reaped the benefit.

Optimization vs. perfectionism in diabetes management

If I had been told the best time to take my medication, I wonder if my newly-diagnosed me would have tied myself up into knots to make that happen. I’m changing my daily habits anyway, why not make my new habits the best possible?

Ah, but that's a slippery slope, isn’t it? Go for the best possible. Be flawless. Be perfect.

This perfectionist mindset is problematic when managing diabetes. With it come unrealistic expectations and pressure, which can lead to burnout.

When 'better' becomes unrealistic pressure

Suddenly, it’s not enough to be taking my medication. I have to take it precisely on schedule. What happens if I miss a dose? Do I berate myself for it? Or do I just take it at that point and move on?

Choosing progress over perfection with T2D

I have a choice to make. Do I adopt a new habit or routine? Or not? How strict am I? Do I follow the rules exactly, or do I adapt them to what I have in place? What am I willing to give up to adopt an optimized routine?

The goal shouldn’t be perfectionism. We’re human. And that makes perfectionism impossible to achieve.

Finding what works for you

You see, here’s the thing: there’s no guarantee that optimizing your routine will deliver perfect results.

The best we can do is shoot for improvements. Don’t lose who we are or what we value in the name of doing it best. But rather, tap into our support network for a reality check along with help and encouragement. And, most importantly, be kind to ourselves.

Asking the right questions

The next time you encounter advice on how to be the “perfect” diabetic, will you take a step back? Will you ask yourself: Is this the best way to optimize my diabetes management? Will it improve my quality of life or just add unnecessary stress? Is this just perfectionism hiding behind trying to improve?

Have you ever felt pressured to be “perfect” in your diabetes management? Share your experiences in the comments below.