Background: Diabetes type 2 is today a rapidly increasing global health problem, often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices. Changing life after a chronic disease is both time-consuming and burdensome, especially when many felt that the life they had lived before was too valuable to give up.

Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate experiences of living with diabetes type 2.

Method: A literature study was produced based on eleven qualitative scientific articles, which were analyzed by Friberg's five step analysis.

Results: The analysis resulted in two main themes, Imbalance in life and Balance in life with eight sub-themes; The inner battle, Loneliness, Life in denial, Lack of knowledge, The will to fight, The need for support, Finding acceptance in life and The importance of knowledge. These themes described the striving for balance in life when living with diabetes type 2.

Conclusion: The study showed that persons with type 2 diabetes experienced a mix of feelings which were highly affected by how their lives around them looked like. This meant that even though you might had learned and accepted to live with type 2 diabetes, it did not necessarily meant that life not will take a turnabout. It is important for the nurse to know that life with diabetes are changeable, and that they therefore have a significant role to support the person to find balance in life.