Navigating Singleness, Dating, and Eating Disorder Recovery with Grace McCready
"I thought very early in my recovery journey that I was ready for a relationship, and I was not."
Grace McCready is back to discuss dating, relationships, and singleness during eating disorder recovery. Grace is passionate about encouraging young women through personal stories and scriptural truths. She wrote the book Real: What Eating Disorder Recovery Actually Looks Like, and her honesty about her own journey invites so much healing.
If you've ever wondered whether you're ready to date while you're still healing, or if you're navigating what a relationship looks like when food and body image are still tender places, friend, this conversation is for you.
We've talked about recovery on the Old School Food Freedom podcast before, but there's something we haven't fully explored yet... what does it mean to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready for a relationship when you're walking through recovery? And how do you know if someone else's priorities align with yours when health can so easily become an idol?
Grace is sharing what she learned from going on her first date. You'll hear why being "pretty okay" with body image isn't always enough, how surrender and humility in singleness prepare you for marriage, and why the small decisions you make today about food and exercise can honor your future spouse.
Here’s what we cover:
Why Grace thought she was ready to date at 18 (but really wasn't)
The surprising way her date's health focus opened her eyes
How to tell if you're physically ready for a relationship during recovery
Why emotional readiness means having support and being willing to listen
The importance of input from people who love you and know your story
Spiritual readiness and getting your priorities in line with God's
How Proverbs 31 applies to singleness, not just marriage
Using your single season to prepare for your future marriage
Why both people need Jesus as their first priority
Questions to ask yourself about readiness and preparation
Friend, if you're single and in recovery, or if you're wondering if you're ready to start dating again, we're in this together. It's okay to not be ready, and to take your time. And it's okay to let go of a relationship when you realize the priorities aren't aligned.
"Your priorities are going to flow out into all areas of your life. So just take time to look at those to figure out, am I really putting God first?" - Grace McCready
The decisions you make now about what you eat, how you move your body, how you talk to yourself, and who you spend time with, all of those things can bless your future husband, even while you're single. That's convicting but also so encouraging, because it means you can make a difference right now. You can prepare now.
Recovery works best when we're honest about where we are and willing to surrender control to God. Be sure to check out Grace's blog and hey, if this episode resonated with you, would you share it with a friend who's navigating singleness and recovery too?
We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please drop us an email at admin@findingbalance.com, send us a voice message via SpeakPipe, or you can also subscribe for more practical episodes coming your way.
More About Grace McCready
Grace is an author, blogger, and speaker who is passionate about encouraging young women through sharing personal stories and scriptural truths. She’s the author of Real Recovery: What Eating Disorder Recovery Actually Looks Like and blogger at Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth. She's also a full-time writer/editor for a Christian ministry. Although she doesn’t enjoy drinking black coffee, running marathons, or reading books, she does enjoy spending time with her family, chatting with her friends, and watching her favorite TV shows.
Hello Freedom Community
We're launching our Hello Freedom community. This is a Christ-centered space to find connection, encouragement, and gentle steps toward freedom from food and body-image struggles.
No pretending, no fixing yourself first, come just as you are. If you want in, your next step is to join our interest list at findingbalance.com/community.
You were not meant to walk this alone. We're saving a seat for you!
Mentioned Scriptures
Proverbs 21:10-12
Related Episodes
23: Hello, Freedom! A Look Inside Eating Disorder Treatment & Recovery with Grace McCready
Links & Mentioned Resources
Connect with Grace McCready
Blog: Tizzies Tidbits of Truth
Book: Real Recovery: What Eating Disorder Recovery Actually Looks Like
FINDINGbalance
Facebook
Instagram
SpeakPipe – Send us a voice message!
CHRIST-CENTERED RESOURCES TO HELP YOU FIND FREEDOM
The Daily Vitamin eDevo: A free devotional with bite-sized truth emailed 5 days a week
Community Groups: Find connection with prayer groups and our Hello, Freedom! community.
Christian Treatment Finder: Connecting you with Christian providers experienced in treating eating issues.
Lasting Freedom Online Course: A Christ-centered, non-diet course to work through false beliefs about food and weight so you can live free from disordered eating and body image issues.
CREDITS
Interlude music by “Hotham” – Morning Thoughts
Intro music by “MokkaMusic” – Old Jeans (Funk)
Wrap-up music by Jesse Quinn – Christian Instrumental
Production & Editing by Leah Bryant Co
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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe a particular course of action. If you have, or suspect you may have, an eating disorder, please consult your healthcare provider. If you desire to receive faith-based care, visit ChristianTreatmentFinder.com to browse professionals with a Kingdom campaign against eating disorders.
