Hi, Thank you so much for sharing your experience and asking your question. Early in eating disorder recovery we tend to focus on the eating disorder behaviors and the emotions that accompany them. Later, with experience in doing our personal recovery work we are dismayed to discover that certain situations can trigger what feels like a relapse. "Oh no," we think. "Our recovery is gone." We're back at square one, defeated and hopeless. But recovery is not lost and we are not back at square one. Now we need to use what we have learned and developed to proceed beyond our previous limits. Our world expands. We get stronger and healthier. Our eating disorder symtpoms subside, and we proceed into a more rich life. You ask, "will the work ever be done?" At this point we have to change what we think is the center of our perspective. By that I mean, if you move the camera, what's in the shot changes - even though the broad sweep of the subject remains. If the basis of our thinking is determined by the eating disorder symptoms we not only limit our thinking, but we limit what's possible. If the basis of our thinking is determined by our desire and committment to honor our authentic self and enrich our hearts and minds then eating disorder symptoms become less prominent. They become an aspect of a more complex life that contains far more opportunities and choices. Our task is to learn how to honor our authentic soul. What that looks like is different for everyone so I can't describe what that would be for you (or anyone else). I'm still working on what that means for me, but I'm a lot closer than I was during the days of living with bulimia. The work of developing and honoring ourselves never ends. Well, maybe it ended for Buddha and Jesus and other enlightened souls. But not all of us can reach such levels of love and awareness. Will you continue to have a relationship with food for the rest of your life? Yes. Does it have to be a problem? No. Will it be a problem now and then? Maybe. If your focus is on creating and honoring a life that you truly want to live then the eating disorder symptoms become just one of many minor considerations as you meet your life challenges. Do life challenges end? I don't think so. Do you? I look forward to hearing from you again. warm regards, Joanna