Introduction – In 2021, 13.6% of the population of Réunion aged 15 and older reported having diabetes. As a rapidly growing public health issue, type 2 diabetes requires frequent medical care and daily management to balance the prevention of complications with family, social, and professional life. The research presented in this article, conducted in Réunion, examines health literacy as a dynamic, multidimensional concept that explores the interactions between individual, social, professional, and organizational practices. Methods – From 2020 to 2022, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 people living with diabetes, most of whom were interviewed in their homes. Results – Analysis of individuals’ access to health information, their understanding of it, and their decision-making reveals the diversity and complexity of disease management in everyday contexts. Depending on the dimensions considered (diet, physical activity, treatment, disease monitoring, etc.), this everyday management is more or less anxiety-inducing or calm. The specialist in the condition, the diabetologist, appears to be the "poor relation" among healthcare professionals. Discussion and perspectives – The research highlights "diverse people with diabetes" who do the best they can within their own contexts. It raises several concerns worth highlighting: "welcoming into care" the person with a chronic illness by listening to them, through their words (and their struggles); drawing caregivers’ attention to the language used during interactions; and rethinking our healthcare systems so that people with chronic illnesses can better navigate them.