when one door closes...

why I left, why I'm back, and what I've been doing in the meantime

In today’s newsletter, you’ll find…

• Closing the door on Instagram content…why I stepped back from sharing life on instagram

• The Itch I’m trying to scratch… the hopes for this newsletter and what you can expect from subscribing and following along

• Life updates… bridal era in full swing!!

Feel free to scroll to whatever tickles your fancies! Meet you in the comments ☺️

I have been absolutely itching to write another newsletter… Sometime in January, I stopped posting on @balanceandbolus on instagram - an account I started in 2017 to document my life becoming a registered dietitian with type 1 diabetes while also being a twenty-something trying to get on my feet - for no real reason other than I could not figure out what the point was. This is not as bleak as it sounds, I promise!

When I started Balance & Bolus, I wanted to help others by sharing my perspective, my story, my view on life with diabetes. I was fresh out of college, single, living with my parents, working the odd job as a cashier, bartender and nanny while taking online classes towards my bachelors in nutrition. I had time, I had energy, I had a lot to say. Over the years, that life has evolved into 40 hour work weeks, life planning, and tending to life long relationships with loved ones. What I had to say on the internet felt less important, and I felt like I was only disappointing those who had interacted with my content for years with anything I posted that wasn’t nutrition advice or over-the-top pep talks about living with diabetes. So instead of forcing it, I decided to take a step back and focus more on the patients I get to help in a whole different way than I ever have before as well as focus on the life that happens outside of work that has nothing to do with diabetes or nutrition (most of the time anyway). Also, it turns out that not being on social media 24/7 is magnificent for mental health! Who knew!

But then I started to get that itch. That itch to continue sharing the odd bit of my life as well as the things I find interesting (and hopefully you do, too) in hopes of continuing to “help” others in a sense. After all, part of what got me to launch Balance & Bolus as well as pursue a career in diabetes education was that I’d survived nearly two decades living with diabetes so I must be doing something right and maybe people would benefit from whatever that something was. I also pursued all this extra education for a reason - so might as well max out that use as well.

One coal in the fire of keeping Balance & Bolus alive was that I wanted to make my younger self proud. I wanted to create something that she would have not only been impressed by but would have learned from and therefore made her life just a little bit easier and less lonesome. So as I ask myself what the point is - of sharing my life or thoughts in a newsletter - I guess it’s for her first and foremost and all the people who emulate the parts of her that wanted to work towards self-improvement and self-care, happiness amongst inevitable sadness, and feeding her ever-curious mind.

So let’s catch up!

I’m currently working full-time in outpatient nutrition counseling; I work with a variety of patient populations but I am finding myself specifically drawn to women’s health (specifically PMOS and menopause), eating disorders and those wanting to improve their relationship with food, and diabetes - the last two are not that surprising but I find it important to note because I see such a strong connection between these three! I have found that my style of practice aligns to these noted populations and I want to follow that comfortable feeling because this truly feels like the exact role I was meant for.

I’m getting married in October!!!!!! Since October 2025, Chris and I have been planning our wedding for fall 2026. Well, one might say I’ve been planning this in my head for even longer, since shortly after I fell head over heels for Chris in 2021. This, along with work, has been making me feel like way more of an adult — and sometimes I just have to giggle with Chris about the absurdity that we’re driving long distances to pick out table linens and go to menu tastings where we’re treated as guests of honor and stuffing ourselves silly with free food. This process has been an unexpected amount of fun and as we’re just under 4 months out, not as stressful as anticipated…yet.

the proposal - Alamo square park 7/25/25

I have my hours towards becoming a CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) but need to take the test - I don’t know why I thought I could study for this exam while planning a wedding at the same time but here I am. I didn’t pass my exam to become a ~registered dietitian~ on the first try and I was so upset, talk about bleak! I also am allowed to practice as a diabetes educator under the requisite of 25 CEU (continuing education units) annually, so this exam doesn’t feel as emergent or as if it is holding me back from progressing in my career. However! HoWevER! Being specifically a CDCES was my original dream when I first had to seriously think about what I wanted to do with my life; becoming a registered dietitian as just a stepping stone.

So there it is - consider the itch scratched. I hope I can continue to fill up your inbox with life updates and what I learn through the ups and downs as well as the little joys I find in life that hopefully bring you joy as well.

xoxo

Ciara