9 things I learned from my diabetes tech break

I’ve lived with type 1 for almost nine years now, and in that time I’ve tried all sorts of tech: heaps of meters, two pumps, and a bunch of different CGMs. Normally, I’m all-in on diabetes gadgets. But a while ago, things got too much and I decided to take a break from all of it. 

The huge life changes during COVID really messed with my head. Every news update said something terrifying about people with medical conditions, and I was constantly reacting to CGM alerts, pump alarms, and reminders. It felt like my tech was glued to my brain. Eventually, I shut down. I ignored the alerts. My levels went wild. And I knew from experience that the only way I could reset properly would be by stepping away from the tech for a bit. 

Before I did anything, I checked in with my diabetes educator. We converted my pump settings into long-acting insulin, double-checked my ratios and corrections, and once everything was sorted… I unplugged. Pump off. CGM off. Back to pens and finger pricks. 

Here’s what I learned during my tech break. 

1. Injections come around way faster than set changes 

I used to think doing a set change every three days was annoying. Turns out doing four or five injections a day is even more annoying. I got over the novelty pretty quickly. 

2. I missed the reminders more than I expected 

Forgetting to bolus or going ages without checking my level feels awful. I didn’t realise how much those alerts help me stay on track until they weren’t there. 

3. Taking a break saved money 

Tech is expensive if you're over 21. Pump consumables are subsidised, but they still add up. For a few weeks, it was a relief not watching my wallet evaporate. 

4. My pump does maths better than I do 

Bolus calculators are underrated superheroes. Doing everything manually was hard, but it also felt kind of empowering. Like, yes, I can still add numbers without a robot doing it for me… even if the robot is better at it. 

5. If something works, it’s okay not to mess with it 

I often get the urge to change up my diabetes routine. This break reminded me why I chose tech in the first place. My basal needs change throughout the day, and long-acting insulin doesn’t care – it powers along at the same pace. But my pump does care, and can do something about it. 

6. CGM seriously improves my time-in-range 

I missed my trend arrows so much. CGM keeps me accountable and honestly makes my brain calmer, even with the alarms. Also, finger pricks hurt. Enough said. 

7. My pump makes my diabetes way more precise 

Being able to tweak basal rates, micro-bolus, and get more exact dosing gives me better levels overall compared to injections. 

8. A tech break helped me rethink my goals 

I thought I just needed space from alerts, but I actually needed to look at my whole routine. I realised I needed to carb count more accurately, pre-bolus better, move my body more, loosen up around food, and reconnect with other people with type 1. Doing those things helped more than I expected. 

9. Go back to tech when you feel ready 

When I use my tech properly, life is easier. But I made sure I only plugged back in when my brain felt settled again. And knowing I can take another break anytime is a weirdly comforting safety net. 

Taking a tech break taught me a lot about myself and how I manage diabetes. Tech can make life smoother and improve things like time-in-range and HbA1c, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. It’s okay to use the tools when they help, and it’s okay to hit pause when everything feels too loud. 

If you ever want support to try a tech break, or you’re thinking about switching up your tech, the Family Centre crew is always here to help:  hello@type1familycentre.org.au or 9446 6446.