About

THE WOMAN

I’m a writer, broadcast person, trained broadcast journalist turned digital TV and radio producer. I can host your event, or speak on your show, or write for your website. If you want to get in touch about any of these things then pop me an email at jen@missjengrieves.com and say hello.

THE WEBSITE

I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes since 1996. Diagnosed nine days before my ninth birthday. By now you’d think I would have figured it all out, got it sussed, had it down to an art. The truth is it’s bloody hard. And every website/book/leaflet I read filled me with fabulous (sometimes slightly conflicting) advice, which is all well and good, but there’s just one small problem. That little thing called life.

This website started as a diary of my journey to becoming a ‘responsible’ diabetic (still trying on that front) who wanted to take care of herself without shunning all the fun things that being a spritely 20-something getting her eyes opened by the world around her entailed. Because in all the reading I’d done, there was nothing out there that told me about what living with this thing – a not-so-little condition that unfortunately needs to be taken into consideration with every decision I make – is like for a person who loves to live.

Then, along the way I started talking about real life in general, how we’re shaped by things like the media and how we put immense pressure on ourselves to succeed because the world makes us that way. I also started talking about my own relationship with my body, and how my understanding of nourishing it and protecting it has developed as I live and learn. Being part of the incredible diabetes community is something that has shaped me, changed me, taught me so many wonderful things and made me more grateful than I thought I could ever be to have a chronic condition!

I now talk about health, self-esteem, society, brands – all the things we consume and engage with as we’re finding our way; the things that shape us as we try and work out where we’re supposed to be and what we’re supposed to be doing. This website is honest (always), relevant (hopefully), intelligent (occasionally), and I hope it leaves you feeling empowered in some teeny weeny little way – whether you’re newly diagnosed, trying to make peace with your type 1 diabetes, or even if you don’t have diabetes at all. It’s a messy little life, and we’re all just doing our best – which is enough, I promise you.