Wake-Up Call in Eating Disorder Recovery.

It’s Not About a Summer Body… It’s About Feeling Safe in Your Own Body

When the weather changes, body image worries can get louder. Here’s why it’s often not really about weight at all.Don’t get me wrong, I used to feel like this too. Years ago, as soon as I knew the sun was coming out, I would have gone on a diet. I would have...

Trust Your Gut: The Day I Climbed Into a Wheelie Bin | Therapy Canterbury

Do you ever get a feeling you just can’t ignore? Not a loud voice. Not a clear plan. Just… something.Back in 2009, when my counselling journey started, I had no idea where I was going. I didn’t wake up thinking, “I’m going to be a therapist.” I didn’t have a plan. I...

Why You Feel Tired but Wired: Stress, Sleep, Cortisol and the Cycle Keeping You Stuck

Discover how to escape the relentless cycle of exhaustion and stress. Learn to nurture your body and mind with compassionate, sustainable practices that restore balance and vitality.There was a time I told myself I was just busy. But if I’m honest, I was wired. Tired,...

Why Boys Are Struggling in Silence: Understanding Masculinity, Body Image and Eating Disorders

When we talk about eating disorders, most people still picture teenage girls. But that picture is incomplete. More and more boys and men are struggling with body image, disordered eating, and exercise addiction. The difference is that many of them are suffering...

It Wasn’t Disordered Eating — It Was ADHD Overwhelm

I can’t believe no one told me this sooner. For years, I thought my struggles with food were about “disordered eating.” But the truth was much simpler (and honestly… a relief). It was decision fatigue. It was ADHD overwhelm. And once I built a system that worked with...

Weight-Loss Jabs and Teenagers: What Parents Need to Know

Parents searching for answers about weight-loss jabs and teenagers are often doing so out of fear, not vanity,  and that fear deserves careful, trauma-informed attention. At present, most weight-loss jabs are not licensed for children or teenagers, except in very...

Why Hunger Feels So Scary After Weight-Loss Jabs | Trauma-Informed Eating Disorder Therapy

Explore a compassionate approach to eating disorder recovery, tailored to your unique needs.If you’ve stopped taking a weight-loss jab and your hunger has come back loud, scary, or confusing,  you’re not alone. I’m seeing more people panic after coming off GLP-1...

Weight-Loss Jabs, Hunger & Fear: What I’m Seeing in Therapy Right Now

The rise of weight-loss drugs is changing the way people feel about their bodies  and their hunger.It’s something I’ve been hearing more and more since weight-loss jabs like Ozempic and Wegovy became part of the mainstream conversation. These medications weren’t...

How to Stay Calm When You’re Furious

(By Simon Bostock, Clear Talking Therapy) When you’re angry, it can feel instant. One second, you’re holding it together;  the next, you’re flooded, shaking, saying things you’ll regret. That’s not because you’re “bad-tempered.” It’s because your ancient survival...

ADHD, Stress, and the Moment My Brain Just Stops

I know I’m about to burn out when I can’t drive. The lights blur. The world slows down. And I realise my brain has gone offline,  again.Two weeks of being unwell threw me completely off track. Antibiotics, pain, exhaustion, the kind that fogs your mind and convinces...

The Turning Point in My Eating Disorder Recovery

Eating disorder recovery often starts with a moment that shakes you to your core. For me, it happened one evening in my kitchen, utterly exhausted, lightheaded, and scared that if I collapsed, my kids would be left alone. That terrifying moment became my wake-up call. It made me realise something had to change.

 

 

 

Suddenly, my head went back.

I could feel myself about to pass out.

The room blurred, my hands felt weak, and one terrifying thought hit me like a train:

If I collapse right now, my kids will be alone in this flat. The gas is on. No one will know.

That moment changed everything.

the realisation that saved my life

For years, I had ignored the warning signs, skipping meals, overexercising, and chasing a number on the scale that I thought would bring me happiness. But standing there, barely able to hold myself up, I realised the harsh truth:

This wasn’t just about me anymore.

I wasn’t just hurting myself; I was hurting the people I loved most. My children needed me, and if I didn’t take action, I risked leaving them to fend for themselves.

That night, I made a decision that would redefine my life:

F*ck this. I want to live.

Eating disorder recovery isn’t just about eating more or exercising less. It’s about finding a reason to live. It’s about reclaiming your purpose and realising that you are worth so much more than your eating disorder.

When I work with clients now, one of the first questions I ask them is:

“What is making you want to get better?”

Because that reason, whether it’s your family, your future, or just the deep, quiet desire to finally be free, will carry you through the hardest days.

How to find your reason

If you’re reading this and feel stuck, I want to help you take the first step. Ask yourself:

1

What's your wakeup call?

Consider what truly matters to you. Is it family, personal growth, or a future free from struggle? Identifying your core values can guide your recovery.

2

What is the life you want beyond this disorder?

Imagine the life you want to lead beyond your current challenges. What does happiness look like for you? This vision can serve as a powerful motivator.

3

Who or what gives you the motivation to heal?

Think about the people who inspire you to heal. Whether it’s friends, family, or a community, having a support network can make all the difference.

For me, it was my children. For you, it could be your family, your dreams, or simply the idea of waking up one day free from the constant battle in your mind.

Your Journey Starts with One Step

I’ll be honest; recovery isn’t easy. But it’s worth it.

I had to rebuild my relationship with food, rediscover how to trust my body, and learn how to prioritise my mental and physical health. Through that process, I discovered something incredible:

Life is so much more than a number on a scale.

Today, I help others find their reasons for recovery, guiding them to reclaim their lives and rewrite their stories. Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this:

Nothing is worth losing yourself for.

Ready to start your journey?

If you’re struggling and don’t know where to start, let’s talk. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but every small step you take matters.

 

What’s the one thing holding you back from recovery? Share your thoughts below or reach out. I’d love to help you find your reason to heal.

Struggling with an eating disorder and ready to take the first step? Click the link below to start your recovery with a trusted Eating Disorder Therapist

Helpful Links/Support:

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/