You Don’t Have to Be ‘Ready’ to Recover from an Eating Disorder

Starting treatment for an eating disorder can feel terrifying. Many of my clients say: “I know I need help… but I’m just not ready.”

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to feel fully ready to start working towards healing. Recovery doesn’t wait for motivation—it starts with willingness.

Feeling Two Things at Once? That’s Ambivalence.

You can want recovery and fear it at the same time.
You can feel exhausted by food and body thoughts, and unsure about letting them go.

This tug-of-war is called ambivalence, and it’s a normal part of eating disorder recovery. In therapy, we often work with ambivalence—not against it.

You don’t have to fix everything first. All you need is openness.

“I’m Not Sick Enough” is an Eating Disorder Lie

One of the biggest myths is that you need to be “skinny” or at rock bottom to “qualify” for support. That’s false.

Eating disorders affect people of all size, shape, and genders. You deserve help NOW—not when things get worse. Early intervention matters.

You Can Start Before You’re Sure

Recovery is not a single decision—it’s a process.You might still engage in disordered behaviours, feel unsure, or doubt yourself. That’s okay.

Taking one small step—like booking a session, talking to someone, or even reading this—is enough.

A Gentle Reminder

If you’re waiting for the “perfect” time to recover, it may never come. But small willingness is enough. Reaching out to a therapist. Reading this blog. Asking a question. Attending a first appointment. These are brave steps, even if they feel shaky.

You don’t have to be sure. You just have to be curious.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re waiting to feel completely ready to recover, you might wait forever.
Start before you’re ready. Start scared. Start unsure. Just start.

Because your life is worth more than what your eating disorder is offering you.
And recovery? It’s messy. Brave. And possible.