i can barely take care of myself author comedian kirkman

Whether living rent-free in her childhood bedroom while trying to break into comedy (the best free birth control around, she says), or taking the stage at major clubs and joining a hit TV show-and along the way getting married, divorced, and attending excruciating afternoon birthday parties for her parent friends-Jen is completely happy and fulfilled by her decision not to procreate. Jen’s stand-up routine includes lots of jokes about not having kids (and some about masturbation and Johnny Depp), after which complete strangers constantly approach her and ask, “But who will take care of you when you’re old?” (Servants!) Some insist, “You’d be such a great mom!” (Really? You know me so well!) Parenthood can be very rewarding, but let’s face it, so are margaritas at the adults-only pool. Some adults take on the added burden of caring for a tiny human being with no language skills or bladder control. You have to drive and get annual physicals and tip for good service. You have to dress yourself and pay bills and remember to buy birthday gifts. But you know what? It’s hard enough to be an adult. It’s about renting when everyone says you should own, dating around when everyone thinks you should settle down, and traveling alone when everyone pities you for going to Paris without a man.įrom marriage to divorce and sex to mental health, I Know What I’m Doing-and Other Lies I Tell Myself is about embracing the fact that life is a bit of a sh*t show and it’s definitely more than okay to stay true to yourself.Summary: “You’ll Change Your Mind.” That’s what everyone says to Jen Kirkman-and countless women like her-when she confesses she doesn’t plan to have children. She talks about making unusual or unpopular life decisions (such as cultivating a “friend with benefits” or not going home for the holidays) because you don’t necessarily want for yourself what everyone else seems to think you should. She reassures you that it’s okay to not have life completely figured out, even when you reach middle age (and find your first gray pubic hair!).

In I Know What I’m Doing-and Other Lies I Tell Myself, Jen offers up all the gory details of a life permanently in progress. Even if you sometimes think you aren’t! And especially if other people try to tell you you’re not. Jen Kirkman wants to be the voice in your head that says, Hey, you’re okay. New York Times bestselling author and stand-up comedian Jen Kirkman delivers a hilarious, candid memoir about marriage, divorce, sex, turning forty, and still not quite having life figured out.

I can barely take care of myself author comedian kirkman