Recovery from an eating disorder is rarely if ever straightforward. It’s a winding, often confusing road full of highs, lows, doubts, and small triumphs. One of the most common — and painful — experiences people face in recovery is a lack of motivation. If you’ve found yourself wondering “Why does this feel so hard?”,  “Why can’t I just want recovery all the time?”, you’re not alone.

Recovery Involves Letting Go of What Feels Safe

Eating disorders aren’t just about food. They’re often coping tools — ways to manage pain, stress, trauma, or a deep sense of not being enough. In this light, recovery asks a lot. It means giving up something that, even if harmful, has felt familiar, structured, or safe. That can stir up fear, resistance, and grief — all of which can look like a lack of motivation.

Your Brain and Body Are Relearning How to Trust

Eating disorders can significantly impact how the brain and body function. Starvation, bingeing, purging, and other disordered behaviors can affect concentration, energy, emotional regulation, and decision-making. In recovery, your brain is literally healing. So if motivation feels fleeting or fuzzy, it may not be a matter of “willpower” — it may be a matter of biology.

Ambivalence Is a Normal Part of Change

It’s a myth that you have to want recovery 100% of the time in order to succeed. In fact, ambivalence — feeling torn between wanting recovery and wanting to hold on to the eating disorder — is a natural and expected part of the process. Yet, for those who recover, they understand they will often feel unsure and still take recovery-oriented steps. You don’t need to feel fully ready to begin. You just need support, honesty, and a space to explore the “why” behind the struggle.

Society Sends Mixed Messages

We live in a world where disordered eating is often normalized and even praised. “Clean eating,” diet culture, fitness obsession, and social media highlight reels can make recovery feel countercultural, or even “wrong.” These messages aren’t just noise — they can deeply affect your sense of what’s acceptable, desirable, or safe. Feeling unmotivated in recovery might actually be a sign you’re beginning to challenge a toxic status quo.

So What Can You Do?

If you’re feeling unmotivated right now, try this:

• Be curious, not critical. Ask yourself, “What might my eating disorder still be doing for me?” without judgment.
• Talk about it. Share your lack of motivation with a therapist, support group, or trusted person. It’s not a weakness — it’s valuable information.
• Focus on values over feelings. You might not feel motivated, but if you value freedom, health, connection, or peace, let those values guide your next small step.
• Give yourself credit. The fact that you’re in recovery, reading this, or even thinking about recovery means you’re doing incredibly hard work.

You’re Not Failing — You’re Human

Motivation isn’t a switch you flip. It ebbs and flows, and that’s okay. If your recovery feels slow, heavy, or confusing, that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re doing something brave. Healing doesn’t require perfection — just persistence, compassion, and support. Our therapists and dietitians provide clients the support they need to make lasting changes to their physical and mental health.

Reach out today for a complimentary intake phone call, where we can answer any questions you might have.