“The people who don’t get you are not your problem. Sitting around and thinking of all the people who don’t love you or don’t wanna hang out with you just diminishes your own light. Focus on where the light and love come from and park yourself in front of that. There are many moments in life when your own light is all you need.”
Through the most tender essays I’ve ever read from Chelsea, she shares what her dreams were as a child and how far she has come. She examines the woman fame let her become and wonders if that is the woman she wants to continue to be. She shares being at a low point in her life, the things that are important to her, her family, her work and skiing. She shares how her being child free is perceived and how much she actually loves children even though she does not ever want to have biological children.
“Learning the art of making an argument without yelling or screaming is something to behold. I’ve always dreamed of becoming the kind of person who can do that. Nothing feels like winning more than not losing your temper.”
I have read every Chelsea book. This is the first Chelsea book that I have listened to, and I loved the experience I had with it. I listened to this book during a road trip, and it caught me unawares. I think this is Chelsea’s most vulnerable book. She shares about being rejected by a governor, playing pickleball with the Bushes, sharing psychedelics with strangers in Spain, what her relationship with her family has become, and the love affair with Jo Koy.
“You are the love of your life.”
I think that Chelsea presents like such a strong woman which she absolutely is, but it was quite interesting to listen to her describe her relationships and all the things she endured. It was fascinating to hear her stay with a cheating partner and go back to him over and over again. When she describes her relationship with Jo and how much they tried to make it work and how she thought they would be married, I felt compassion for her. She also declines to mention why they broke up because she just feels that she has outgrown that period in her life where she would throw the men she has dated under the table for a story. I suspected that she broke up with him because he wanted a more traditional relationship on the conservative side – but that’s just my speculation from reading between the lines.
“It had taken me decades to learn how to not lay blame, to not be punitive or vindictive when someone hurts me. To be mindful and consistent while recognizing the difference between instinct and impulse. To recognize that instinct is a knowing feeling, and impulse is acting on an emotion.”
I gave this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed listening to Chelsea let us into her life. Please do this one on audio if you pick it up.
Leggy.
TwoNightStands 