3 “P's” for Recovery: Passion, Power and Purpose

By Robyn Cruze

In recovery, it is essential to focus on the 3 P's. What are the 3 P's of recovery and how can you identify them in your life?
Find your passion

Lately I have been reflecting on my own recovery journey and on what has kept me inspired to recover for all these years.

Nothing could prepare me for the gifts that recovery and utilizing the three “P’s” would give me.

What are the three ‘P’s’?” in recovery?

The three “P’s” are my personal keys to finding joy, my friends. Take a look.

  1. Passion — Underneath the eating disorder illness is a great deal of stagnant passion. Find your passion and play. (Ooh, look, there's another “P”!)
  2. Power — I understand now that I gave my own power to my eating disorder and to alcoholism. That means that now, in my recovery, I have taken all of that power back. This power gives me the emotional strength to achieve all of the things I couldn't achieve during my illness. Recovery is powerful, my friends.
  3. Purpose — It is common to not know our purpose as we enter recovery. Early recovery is a time for exploring. For example, when I got into recovery, I was a performer. I decided that I wanted to try new things, so I tried being a film researcher for writers. I tried designing my own clothing for pregnant women. I tried writing a children's affirmation book, and then I tried writing a non-fiction book. And then, something lovely happened; I began to mold all of those things into creating a career — a career that I now love. Finding our purpose is a process, one of discovery and enjoyment.

We will inevitably experience a lot of hurdles early on in the recovery process. Being inspired in what we do — beyond recovery — is very important.

View our free nationwide eating disorder recovery support groups.

This page was updated on May 19, 2023.

Written by

Robyn Cruze

Internationally-recognized author and speaker, Robyn Cruze published Making Peace with Your Plate (Central Recovery Press) with Espra Andrus, LCSW, which will enter its second edition in February…

Eating Recovery Center is accredited through the Joint Commission. This organization seeks to enhance the lives of the persons served in healthcare settings through a consultative accreditation process emphasizing quality, value and optimal outcomes of services.

Organizations that earn the Gold Seal of Approval™ have met or exceeded The Joint Commission’s rigorous performance standards to obtain this distinctive and internationally recognized accreditation. Learn more about this accreditation here.

Joint Commission Seal