Three weeks ago, I arrived at work to discover extensive media coverage detailing the reorganization of the parent media company of the magazine I work for, and that jobs would be eliminated. In the four and a half years I have worked here, I survived three waves of layoffs, usually taking place in December. Since I managed to be working for higher-level executives at each earlier occurrence, I was spared; my job was deemed necessary.

Meltdown in the US

This time however, with the economy in meltdown (falling to pieces here in New York City) and because I am supporting a mid-level manager, it is highly likely that I will lose my job. Other New York-based media companies recently announced that they are folding magazines, cutting budgets and eliminating jobs. Also last Wednesday, the morning we were all celebrating Obama’s win, the mayor of New York City announced that he would be eliminating one thousand government jobs to recover the budget deficit. There seems to be no safe haven for anyone anymore.

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I love Valerie Frankel’s novels, but I think I love her recent body image memoir, Thin is the New Happy, even more. It’s brutally honest, painful, shocking and very funny. I interviewed Valerie recently and got some great insight into what motivates and inspires her, not to mention how it felt for her to pose nude for Self Magazine.

Why Did You Write Thin is the New Happy?

I decided to write Thin Is the New Happy when my two daughters reached the age when my bad body image demons were born. I didn’t want them to go through 30 years of chronic dieting, self-loathing, always thinking about their weight as I had. So I set out to conquer these issues, be a better role model for them. Also, I didn’t want the next 30 years to be more of the same. Three decades of a dieting addition was more than enough.

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The holidays are coming, the stock markets have crashed, banks are belly up, and you’re locked in your apartment with pocket lint. Don’t let a money slump get in the way of love. There are a million fun ways to date on the cheap. Get creative and get out. When you’re with someone you dig, you can do almost anything and have a good time. Plus, you’ll get cool-points for your ingenuity.