How to Become the Person You’ve Always Wanted to Be

Chelsea Handler's childhood ambitions and her early demonstrations of entrepreneurship show a woman who knew what she wanted and worked resourcefully to achieve it.

As a Girl, Chelsea Envisioned Becoming a Strong, Independent Woman

From a Young Age, Chelsea Aspired to Be Confident, Fierce, and a Leader

Chelsea Handler discusses her clear vision from a young age, desiring to be a strong, confident woman who stood apart from the crowd. At age 10, during her first plane ride, she walked past the first class section with a burning desire to be part of that world, despite her family's acceptance of flying coach. This yearning signifies Chelsea's ambitious spirit, which was just beginning to show itself.

Chelsea Showed Her Entrepreneurial Drive and Resourcefulness Early

Chelsea Handler displayed remarkable entrepreneurial savvy at a young age. At just 10 years old, she lied about her age to start a babysitting business, claiming she was 15. By advertising her services to hotel guests in need of babysitters, she successfully ran this business for three years.

At 13, Chelsea Used Lemonade Stand and Babysitting Earnings For First-Class Plane Ticket

Starting with a lemonade stand, Chelsea soon transitioned to babysitting for better financial returns. She showed not only ambition but also an impressive level of self-reliance, saving enough money through her babysitting business to afford a first-class plane ticket for herself at the age of 13. Chelsea had a knack for seizing opportunities, a ...

Chelsea Handler shares her journey through therapy and personal growth, detailing how she confronted a tumultuous past to find stability and peace.

Chelsea's Difficult Childhood Led To Adult Challenges

Chelsea Handler opens up about her teenage years, describing them as awful following the death of her brother when she was nine, which deeply affected her family. Her father's struggle to cope with the loss compounded the impact on her, leading to a buildup of anger and a rocky relationship with him throughout her adolescence.

Handler talks about how the loss of her brother led to a delayed grief that manifested as anger and rage during her adult years. She describes feeling betrayed by her brother’s promise to come back, interpreting his unexpected passing as abandonment and a lie.

Chelsea also reveals that her anger acted as a barrier to fend off vulnerability, tracing back to her brother's death when she was ten. This remained a significant part of her emotional makeup until her fortieth year, when therapy helped her begin to address these long-suppressed feelings.

As an adult, Chelsea experienced confusion and insecurity due to her upbringing. She questions her life choices, regarding marriage and her career, and worries about being a narcissist or unlovable.

Therapy: A Pivotal Choice in Chelsea's Growth

Handler's decision to start therapy marked a pivotal moment in her growth. The process proved uncomfortable as she learned to abandon her old self and navigate the uncertainties of who she was becoming.

Therapy Helped Chelsea Gain Self-Awareness and Process the Pain Fueling Her Anger

In therapy, Handler confronts the deep-seated hurt from not being cared for after her brother’s death. She learns to understand that her resentment is a cover for personal pain and the importance of communicating her needs.

Handler's latest bestseller book delves into her darkest times and the regrettable mistakes she made, demonstrating how those experiences helped her reinvent herself positively.

Therapy brought self-awareness to Chelsea, allowing her to let go of the need to be defensive, which she learned after an encounter with Jane Fonda at a party. She realized that being defensive signaled that something was wrong and chose, instead, mindful self-reflection.

Chelsea credits therapy with helping her deal with her brother's death and its ramifications. It helped her identify and move away from using substances to avoid emotions and taught her empathy, compassion, and discretion in expressing her opinions.

Therapy Was Uncomfortable as Chelsea Let Go Of Her Old Ways to Embrace a Grounded Self

Chelsea speaks about the uncertainty and insta ...

Chelsea Handler is deeply committed to using her platform as a comedienne and public figure to empower, inspire, and bring joy to women's lives.

Chelsea Aims to Bring Joy, Inspiration, and Support to Women

Chelsea Handler understands the impact of positivity and aims to bring joy and inspiration to her audiences, especially women who may feel overlooked. She expresses gratitude for the gift of laughter she can give, creating joyous moments among strangers. She values the opportunity to uplift her audience, focusing on the positives like bringing comfort and dependability to those in need rather than the negatives, such as audience size.

Handler reflects on her purpose in life, aspiring for women to realize their strength and to use it for good. Her book and personal journey reflect her dedication to sharing insights and tools that could help women live more vibrant lives. She wishes she could infill young girls with self-assured confidence and uses her presence to exemplify womanhood and empower women.

Chelsea Unapologetically Supports Women

Handler recalls a time she experienced sisterhood's power—an act of inconvenient truth-telling that shaped the type of woman she aspired to be. She values the role women play in being honest and supporting each other. An influential woman, Jane, inspired Chelsea to strive for betterment and to make a positive environmental impact. This event highlighted the importance of using one’s public position to spread positive influences and support.

Chelsea’s aim is to help women, and sometimes men, see themselves more clearly and understand their problems. Her return to comedy includes specials intended to bring joy and a sense of empowerment to her audience, especially women. She emphasizes women's intrinsic value and their ability to add value to lives, not just as public figures but in everyday actions of kindness and generosity.

Handler believes in the transformative power of generosity, even when one is in a gloomy mood, as it can heal anger and foster self-empowerment. Her gratitude extends to every opportunity she gets to inject joy into her audience's lives, whether onstage or through one-on-one interactions.

Ha ...