That Awkward Moment When Your Fat is Visible…in USA Today!
Yup! It’s true…this happened…just this week. It was Tuesday, to be precise. I had no idea if they’d even use my picture or which one or where. The interview and article were for the company I work for (www.happygoatcaramel.com) and it was about how small businesses use online tools to help their business. We thought it would just be the online version and then Tuesday morning found out that we got into the print edition, too.
In fact, we had the cover story (above the fold as they say) in the Money section (2nd section of the paper). It’s super awesome to see your boss on the cover of anything…but this is a national paper! I did my best to put it out of my mind until I saw it for myself. Why freak out if you don’t even know what you’re freaking out about, right? Right! So I went about my work and enjoyed all of the new orders and emails we were getting as a result of the article.
And then I saw my picture…in USA Today! And you know what? It’s awesome! I didn’t feel even a wisp of insecurity or anything. I was just like, “Cool!” While I wasn’t interviewed for the article itself, I did appear for all of two seconds in the online video (I’m at the 30 second mark, if you care) and my lovely fat arm and profile were featured on the next page where the article continued.
And then my boss wanted to take an impromtu of me holding the paper that day with our story on the cover for our company Twitter and Facebook pages…
And then for some reason it all seemed so important to me. I went right after work to buy a copy (they had 3, I bought them) and did my best not to grin the entire time I was at the store. Ha-ha! It’s so silly. This wasn’t about me at all…but in a way, it was. I mean, let’s face it, death fatties like me don’t get the model treatment. We get the “hide your hideous self” treatment. We get shuffled away as the “regular” folks get the limelight. But fuck that! I’m awesome and so are my chubby-ass arms! Also, that is totally my favorite Eshakti dress from last year!
I thought I would panic about the public visibility. I thought I would freak out about my real name being in a national paper. But you know what? I didn’t and I’m okay. I’m better than okay, I’m awesome and proud of myself, my body, the work that I do and the company I work for. I have never had a job where getting up for work wasn’t met with dread, even the jobs I liked. This job is rad! I never dread it, ever! The people I work with are passionate about what they do and let me tell ya, that makes all the difference in the world.
So, yeah. This fat-ass was in USA Today and lived to tell the tale and share it all with you. Yay! I am relieved and happy and just still me, too. Thank the stars for that! 🙂
I love both your pictures! How exciting to be in the paper! Congrats!
Great pics of an awesome lady! Congrats!
Cool, Sarah! You looked lovely, as always:)
I’m so, so happy for you that you’ve come so far down the FA road that you didn’t feel any insecurity!
AND I’m really happy for you that you’ve found a job you love so much!! We spend so much of our lives working, and it’s obviously incredibly important for a person’s happiness not to spend that much time each day unhappy.
Veronica: I was only insecure before I saw the picture. Ha-ha! I couldn’t tell you why. I thought it would be difficult, but I am glad that it worked out. Thank you so much for your support. <3
Wow Sarah… your confidence it so inspirational, I must admit that I was totally projecting my own insecurity as I started reading your blog thinking that you “had a hard time seeing yourself”. Shame on me… that is me… talking to me. I’m getting better, but my internal first response is surprise when I see pictures of myself because it’s been a slow evolution of self acceptance when seeing myself in pictures. Thank you for modeling the true beauty in us all. Much love
Jessica
Jessica: Wow, you are really too kind. I still struggle, but I do my best to celebrate every small victory along the way. Love you, lady! <3
Good for you, girl!!! Congrats on the article!!