Slow down, Yvette. Relax. Take slow, deep breaths. Be mindful. Be in the moment. Pay attention.
Ooh, chile! I’ve been making these statements to myself a lot lately. My thoughts have been pushing back against daily routines that once worked well for me. Spiritual connection, holy confidence, family, healthy eating habits, exercise, and rest have all risen to the top of my priorities—so much so that I decided to pursue personal trainer and advanced nutrition certifications and create this website as a way to document how I’m reframing what matters most in my life.
Perhaps reframing is simply the natural order of things. At 57, I’m thinking about retirement, but more importantly, I’m realizing that the ways I’ve defined things in the past no longer work. Wealth, once defined primarily by having more than enough money, is now more rooted in purpose, relationships, and health. There are still so many personal goals I want to accomplish. I want a deeper, more intimate alignment with the Creator. I want to spend more time with my kids and grandkids. I want to teach college English, finish a street lit article I’ve been working on for the past two years, and write short stories based on my family’s history.
God-willing, I will do these things, but recent health tests and emergency room visits have made one thing clear—my health must now take priority. I have lived with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) for more than 30 years. I need a reset, and I’ve concluded that this requires relearning and rethinking how I manage T1D and everything that comes with midlife. Through an intentional learning curve, my goal is to refresh my understanding of T1D and apply what I learn to improve my overall health so that I can meet midlife—and the things I still want to accomplish—with greater balance and strength.
The image above, featuring entries from My Diabetes Wellness Logbook, reflects this season for me—a quiet reminder to slow down, pay attention, and begin again with intention. I created this logbook to help me become more mindful about tracking my blood sugar, meals, movement, insulin, and daily habits. If it might be helpful to you as well, it’s available on Amazon: My Diabetes Wellness Logbook.
This season of slowing down is not about losing my edge or dimming my ambition; it’s about directing my energy with greater care and purpose. It’s about listening more closely—to my body, my faith, and the wisdom that comes with experience. This learning curve is slower, more deliberate, and rooted in care rather than urgency. As I move forward, I’m choosing progress over pressure, presence over perfection, and learning as a lifelong practice.
If this journey resonates with you, know that you are not alone—there is space here to learn, reflect, and grow together.
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