A listening ear
Room to say what has been difficult without being rushed, corrected or expected to make it sound positive.
ABOUT THE SPACE · WITH SWATI BHAT
A little space for everyday life
What makes a day
a good day?
Sometimes, it’s the ordinary things. Feeling energised. Finishing something. Finding a moment that is just yours.
THE LITTLE THINGS
What feels like a good day to you?
Open a card. Take a moment.
FOOD & ENJOYMENTA healthy meal
you enjoy
Having the time and headspace to prepare a meal that works for you—and enjoying it.
ENERGY & EVERYDAY LIFEFeeling
energised
Having energy for the things you want to do. What would you make time for?
ENERGY & EVERYDAY LIFEDoing something
that matters to you
Solving a problem, reaching a goal or finishing something you started. Small achievements count too.
EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGA quiet
moment
Making room for a quiet read, a favourite programme or simply a little downtime. What does unwinding mean to you?
EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGA little
less worry
Having a moment when thoughts about readings, routines or the future aren’t taking up so much space.
EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGFeeling good
about yourself
A moment of feeling comfortable with who you are, or proud of something you have done. It doesn’t have to be a big achievement.
CONNECTIONSocial time
with friends
A shared laugh, a familiar face, a conversation where you feel you belong.
CONNECTIONFeeling
understood
Talking to someone without having to explain or defend every choice.
There is no right answer. And no pressure to have a good day.
And some days, those ordinary things feel harder.
Living with type 2 diabetes can add another layer to everyday life. Even when we know what helps, we don’t always have the energy or headspace for it. This space is for talking about how that feels—with someone who understands from experience.
Perhaps this feels familiar
When the everyday things take more out of you.
Food, energy, how we feel about ourselves and our connections with others. Open a card to explore what can make these parts of life harder.
FOOD & ENJOYMENTTired of thinking about food
Planning another meal can feel like one decision too many. You may reach for something quick or comforting, then feel frustrated when things don’t go as you hoped.
What research says
A focus-group study with 32 adults with type 2 diabetes identified feelings of deprivation and distress around dietary changes.
Tanenbaum et al., 2016 · Focus-group study ↗ENERGY & EVERYDAY LIFEWanting to do things, but feeling drained
You planned a walk or a task you wanted to finish, but have little energy left. Knowing what you wanted to do doesn’t always make it easier.
What research says
A 2021 review of 29 articles linked fatigue in adults with type 2 diabetes to physical, psychological and social factors, including sleep quality and diabetes distress.
Fatigue review, 2021 · Integrative review ↗EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGFeeling low or sad
Some days feel heavier than others. You may feel low, discouraged or less interested in the things you usually enjoy.
What research says
A 2019 review of 248 studies estimated a pooled depression prevalence of 28% among people with type 2 diabetes.
Khaledi et al., 2019 · Systematic review ↗EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGFeeling overwhelmed by it all
Meals, readings, appointments and everyday responsibilities can take up a lot of mental space. Sometimes you want a break from thinking about diabetes.
What research says
A review of 55 studies involving 36,998 adults estimated that 36% of people with type 2 diabetes experienced diabetes distress—the emotional burden of managing diabetes.
Perrin et al., 2017 · Systematic review ↗EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGFeeling judged or blaming yourself
Questions about your food or routines can leave you feeling that you need to defend your choices. You may also find yourself being hard on yourself.
What research says
A 2023 review of 25 cross-sectional studies found that type 2 diabetes stigma was associated with greater depressive symptoms and diabetes distress.
Akyirem et al., 2023 · Systematic review ↗CONNECTIONFeeling alone or misunderstood
People may care about you, yet not understand the daily decisions you make. Sometimes you want to talk without having to explain everything.
What research says
In six focus groups with 32 adults with type 2 diabetes, participants described insufficient understanding and support from others.
Tanenbaum et al., 2016 · Focus-group study ↗SMALL STEPS · ROOM FOR SUPPORT
What has been helpful
There are different ways to make room for these parts of life: everyday habits, space to work through feelings and people to share them with. Explore the approaches and the research behind them.
FOOD & ENJOYMENTProtein and vegetables first, carbohydrates last
When food already takes up a lot of thought, another strict rule can feel unwelcome. Food order is one approach researchers have explored using the same meal, eaten in a different sequence.
What research says
A 2017 crossover trial with 16 adults with type 2 diabetes found that eating protein and vegetables before carbohydrates reduced post-meal glucose and insulin responses compared with eating carbohydrates first.
Shukla et al., 2017 · Randomised crossover trial ↗ENERGY & EVERYDAY LIFEA 10-minute walk after meals
A short walk can be one way to make movement part of the day, when it feels manageable. Researchers have studied what happens to post-meal glucose when walks are spread across the day.
What research says
A 2016 crossover trial with 41 adults with type 2 diabetes found that walking for 10 minutes after each main meal led to lower post-meal glucose responses than walking for 30 minutes at an unspecified time each day.
Reynolds et al., 2016 · Randomised crossover trial ↗EMOTIONAL WELLBEINGWorking through the emotional load in therapy
Some feelings need time and space: worry, frustration or being hard on yourself. Therapy offers a place to explore those feelings with a trained professional.
What research says
A 2024 meta-analysis of 16 studies involving 1,639 participants found that psychological interventions tailored to diabetes distress, including cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based approaches, reduced distress in the short term in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Zu et al., 2024 · Systematic review and meta-analysis ↗CONNECTIONSharing everyday experiences through peer support
Sometimes what you want is to share the everyday moments with someone who understands. Peer conversation offers room to speak about food, tiredness or difficult feelings without judgement.
What research says
A 2015 qualitative study drawing on interviews with 22 peer supporters in the UK and US described emotional support developing through empathy, reassurance, shared time and conversations about the stresses of living with type 2 diabetes.
Kowitt et al., 2015 · Qualitative study ↗How can I help
A calm conversation, centred on you.
Shared understanding
A conversation with someone who knows that living with diabetes can affect identity, confidence, mood and everyday life.
No pressure
You choose what to share. You can begin with one sentence, ask a question first or decide that now is not the right time.
What to expect
A simple, gentle beginning.
- 1
Send a short request
Only your first name and email are needed. A short message is optional.
- 2
Hear back personally
I will read your enquiry privately and reply by email within two working days.
- 3
Choose what feels comfortable
My reply will include session details, prices and next steps so you can decide whether to continue. There is no obligation.
Clear and honest
Peer support, not clinical care.
This is a non-clinical listening space—not therapy, diagnosis, medical advice or crisis support. It sits alongside, rather than replaces, support from your GP, diabetes team or mental-health professional.
When you feel ready
You do not need to carry every part of this alone.
A short message is enough to begin.
Enquire about sessions