One of my good friends, Justin, has been phenomenal at challenging me. For example, with my recovery album he suggested I contact people so they can help promote my music and that a Kickstarter campaign is in the works.
So I did. And it was terrifying. When I called various eating disorder organizations I had no idea what to say. I usually started with:
Um...hi, my name is Emily and um...
Have any of your read the children's book Emily Umily? That's so me. I hate talking on the phone, to groups of people, sometimes to my own friends because I'm scared that I'm going to say something stupid or someone is going judge me.
Eventually after saying "um" plenty of times I finally spit it out:
I'm in recovery for an eating disorder and I'm recording a recovery music album. I want to bring awareness about this project and I was hoping to get your help to spread the word.
Or something like that. I mention the Kickstarter campaign as well. Responses have varied from excitement (e-mail me your info!) to uncertainty (cue crickets sound) or I had to leave a voicemail or send an e-mail. Can you imagine how many times I say "um" on a voicemail?!
So far I'm waiting to hear back from most of my contacts and one eating disorder organization left a message on my phone saying they couldn't help me. I found it a bit odd since my intent is to spread awareness about eating disorders and give people hope and support, but they can't help in my cause because they're probably busy...spreading awareness about eating disorders and giving people hope and support. (That was a bit snarky of me, wasn't it? I don't know why they can't be of assistance, but they did wish me luck so that's something, right?)
Guess what? I did get an amazing response from one of my contacts! Her name is Caroline Bach and she's a reporter for Channel 27 news! On Sunday she came to my house and interviewed me about my eating disorder and my recovery album. I don't remember what I said! But I do remember Caroline was a very fun person to talk to and even though I was completely out of my comfort zone I survived.
That may seem a little dramatic. Woman survives interview splashed across the front page! For me, it was a huge step! Knowing that this story, my story, is going to be told is strange, weird, crazy, terrifying and also wonderful, awesome, amazing, brave! I want to make a difference and the only real way to make a difference is by stepping out of that comfort zone.
