Hope is an essential aspect of recovery, but it’s not a gentle task.
When I was younger, I used to think of hope as an emotion; something I would experience inside me that was similar to a wish, or a dream, or thinking positively about the future. My years in community and mental health work have given me different contexts to how hope is experienced, found and realized, leaving me with a much grittier view than my initial thinking. This belief has been backed up by many researchers who have focused specifically on the subject matter of hope. The work of psychologist Richard Snyder provided me with a framework that matched more what I experienced in my life and witnessed in others: that hope is an act of will, to rise “in spite of” and “because of”. - This version of hope is the type of hope required in the context of eating disorder recovery.
Hope in recovery is not just a soft and gentle wish to be better—it’s a gritty resilience with dogged commitment. It’s believing that, despite what your current situation looks like or the mountains of effort ahead of you, you can build a better quality of life. Snyder’s Hope Theory provides a helpful framework for understanding the kind of hope that is necessary to sustain recovery. These 3 aspects of hope illustrate how it is both a mindset and a strategy for lasting change.
Goals:
Recovery requires direction, starting with small, manageable goals. Even modest achievements, like attending therapy or eating one meal without rituals, act as stepping stones toward greater milestones. These small wins help rebuild belief in the possibility of change, transforming hope into a tangible force for growth.
Pathways:
Recovery is fraught with obstacles—relapses, setbacks, resource barriers. Snyder’s concept of pathways highlights the importance of flexibility: finding new routes when one fails. If therapy or a support group isn’t a fit, hope encourages exploring alternatives. Each new pathway reminds us that setbacks don’t equal failure—they’re opportunities to try another way forward.
Agency:
Believing in one’s ability to create change is often the hardest part of recovery. Eating disorders erode self-confidence, leaving individuals feeling powerless. Snyder’s theory stresses the role of agency as a driver of hope—the inner voice that says, “I can do this.” Building agency often begins with external support, gradually growing as small victories accumulate. Over time, this belief strengthens, enabling individuals to persist through challenges.
For loved ones supporting someone in recovery, hope is equally vital. It serves as a lifeline, reinforcing that progress is possible. Recovery is a unique, often relentless journey, but shared, nurtured hope makes healing a reality.
P.S. If you’re seeking hope, I recommend watching Chad Hellman’s TED Talk, The Science and Power of Hope.
Warmly,
Corinne