And just like that, Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025 has come to an end.

Every year, this week serves as a powerful reminder of just how far we still have to go when it comes to eating disorder awareness, support, and treatment. I’d like to say that social media has been flooded with stories, brands and organisations throw their voices behind the cause, and that for the last seven days, it feels like the world is actually paying attention. But the reality is that eating disorders are nowhere near the spotlight.

For my UK readers: Remember last year when the BBC shared (very suddenly) articles after articles on the “damage” that obesity does on the healthcare system – during EDAW? I believe I shared my opinions on this a few times! And this year? A beloved, empowering organisation, NCS, launched their campaign last Wednesday titled “Bite Back” – a campaign about stopping the youth from eating junk food… I also wrote many emails to this company, as someone who has both taken part in the enriching and looked-up-to programme and worked as a Team Leader a few summers ago. It was utterly disheartening to see this kind of thing happen again, and no media coverage about such an important week for us.

For those struggling, and for those supporting them, eating disorders and recovery are a 24/7, 365-day battle—not just something to acknowledge one week out of the year. But why can’t we even acknowledge it at least once a year?!

What Comes Next?

So, where do we go from here? How do we take the energy of EDAW and turn it into real, lasting change?

Keep the conversation going.

It’s easy for awareness to spike in February/March and then fade into the background. But eating disorders are still the deadliest mental illnesses. They still impact millions of people worldwide – MORE than those sadly ending their lives due to depression. They still deserve attention—every single day of the year. If you shared a post, started a conversation, or educated yourself this week, keep doing it. Keep learning, keep advocating, keep supporting.

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Push for better healthcare investment.

The current systems in place are failing people with eating disorders. NHS waiting lists are painfully long, early intervention is still not prioritised, and specialist services are underfunded and overwhelmed. Take my example… I waited over 12 months to see any sort of medical professional – and their help wasn’t even that: it made things worse.

Eating disorders are complex illnesses that require specialised treatment, and yet too many people are turned away, dismissed, or left to deteriorate before they “qualify” for help. That’s not good enough. Governments and healthcare providers need to do better. More funding, more training, more resources—it’s not an ask, it’s a necessity.

Equip teachers, carers, and parents with the right tools.

So many eating disorders go unnoticed or unchecked because the people in the best position to spot the signs don’t always know what to look for. Schools should have mandatory training for teachers on eating disorder awareness. Parents should have access to resources that help them understand the warning signs. Carers should be supported in knowing how to help, rather than being left to figure it out alone. Prevention and early intervention start with education.

Challenge diet culture and toxic social media trends.

Let’s be real—social media isn’t going anywhere, and the beauty/body standards we see online aren’t either (See my latest blog post on this topic here). But we can be more critical of what we consume. We can stop engaging with content that fuels disordered behaviours. We can demand more transparency from influencers and brands. And we can choose to create and share content that promotes self-acceptance over unattainable perfection. Change starts with what we choose to amplify.

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And me?

Every year, this week brings a mix of emotions. It’s empowering, seeing the conversations grow louder and the stigma slowly unravel – but for only a brief period of time. It’s exhausting to relive the same narrative again and again and again, and this year has felt heavier than most.

It’s not just the fact that I feel like I’m starting over again in recovery – it’s what I have also outlined in this post. So little support is available to those suffering both directly and indirectly (carers) through eating disorders, and these people are overlooked and neglected by so many healthcare professionals. No wonder people don’t speak up about their conditions and it goes under the radar.

EDAW isn’t just a week for me – it’s my life. And although it’s totally draining to feel this kind of anger year in, year out, I’m putting in the work to ensure every single person is aware of the destruction of this mental health condition – or at least every single one of you.

I won’t sugarcoat it. I’m not doing great. I wish I could write this post as someone who’s stepped into the light, who’s conquered every battle with food and body image, who’s here to tell you that full recovery feels amazing. But I can’t. Not yet. And it will take me a few more years.

I’m getting there. Slowly. Messily. Some days feel like progress. Others feel like a backslide into the same patterns I swore I’d left behind. And honestly? The last thing I ever wanted my eating disorder to affect was my relationship and my work. But it did. It was a catalyst in my breakup—one of many factors, sure, but still a significant one. It made me retreat when I should have reached out, made me isolate when I should have leaned in. That’s something I’m still processing and working on.

Work has also taken a hit. I’ve had to slow down, take some time off, re-evaluate what I can realistically manage. That’s been hard. I thrive on being productive, on pouring myself into my job and side hustles, on juggling a million things at once. But right now, I can’t keep up with the pace I used to set for myself, and I’m learning (reluctantly) that that’s okay. My worth isn’t defined by my output. Slowing down isn’t failure, it’s necessary.

I’m still figuring it out. Still trying to rebuild, still working on finding stability in the chaos. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that I’m not giving up. Recovery is still the goal. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually.

If you’ve been struggling too, I see you. I hear you. And I’m with you. This isn’t easy, but we’re in it together.

Here’s to moving forward, keeping the conversations alive, and getting through it together ❤️

El xx