Just how much is enough? That question and more is what we discussed when I talked to comedian and author Claire Berger who published her book “How Much is Enough: Getting More by Living with Less.”
Watch our video interview
This interview is wonderful and very insightful. I have listed some of the highlights below, but I can guarantee you will enjoy watching our entire interview to understand better what we discussed.
About Claire Berger
Claire made her living as a comedian, improv actor, speaker, and writer for over four decades. She began her career in her hometown of Chicago at Second City where many SNL and other comedians started. During the time she was there, she worked with Dan Castellaneta (voice of Homer Simpson), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld), Nancy Gilles (CBS Sunday Morning), and Petrea Burchard (prolific audiobook voice actor).
She moved to Los Angeles and started a family in her twenties. But unlike many of her Second City colleagues who went on to star in SNL or go out on National tours, she became successful as a warmup comic for over 65 sitcoms including Seinfeld, Mad About You, and Murphy Brown. She was the first comedian HGTV hired to host a series on their network called Fantasy Open House.
Later she segued from TV to working with corporations and businesses writing content, all with a sense of humor. Some of these companies include Tuscan Women Cook and Italian Culinary Adventures.
She moved to Brooklyn, New York three years ago to help with her grandchildren and is an avid traveler. She is loving her new life and finds that it is more than “enough” for her.
You can purchase her book “How Much is Enough: Getting More by Living with Less.” available in hardback and audio on Amazon.
Purchase Claire’s Book “How Much is Enough” on Amazon here.
Highlights from our interview
We both talked about how we reinvented ourselves after having forty-plus-year careers. We all pivot and reinvent and at some point, Claire believes “Whatever happens is enough!”
The concept of her book is living in gratitude and acceptance and that what you have is enough.
The joy of travel
Claire believes that travel is an essential path to growth, self-reflection, and the understanding that we have enough. Traveling to other countries and seeing how other people live helps us realize that our home is a good place to live.
She believes every high school graduate should take some time to travel even before they start college. This gives them a perspective of what our country offers and what life holds for them. “We are so lucky. It’s not a perfect world, but it’s pretty good.”
Home – Work – Balance
Claire had children in her early twenties and decided to get a steady job as a warmup comedian so she could be there for her kids because that was most important to her. She did what she loved and made her family her number-one priority.
Her evolution as a writer
As a comedian, she wrote her own acts. In college, she knew she wouldn’t get the starring roles and decided comedy would be a great way to self-market herself.
She moved many times as a child and used her sense of humor to make friends quickly. It helped her in her personal and professional life, making her a better parent, and writer.
In addition to writing for herself, she writes content for clients. Learning a little about many people has made her a better writer.
Moving during the pandemic
When she moved to Brooklyn during the pandemic, she joined the Y. But, because of COVID restrictions, she could only swim for 30 minutes. When the rules were lifted and she could swim as much as she wanted, she realized 30 minutes was enough. It inspired her to write her book.
Acceptance of Aging
As a gym member, she saw other women’s aging bodies that we don’t see on Instagram. Social media often causes people to compare themselves to others. Looking at naked women at the gym shows us that we’re all doing just fine and are good enough the way we are.
She recommends watching the feature film Babe with co-star Michelle Buteau, a plus-size actress. She promotes body acceptance and positivity and is sexy, and charismatic. The more people go out and present themselves in a place of acceptance, they can say to themselves “This is me, this is enough, I’m putting my best foot forward today.” It bolsters confidence.
Claire sees aging as a Superpower. Many older women complain about feeling invisible in society. But aging makes us not be so influenced and self-conscious about what others think of us. Instead, look within and understand that we are healthy, we’re here, we’re vibrant, we’re walking the same streets as our twenty-year-old selves, and we’re doing just fine.
We may not get attention from strangers like we did when we were younger but that shouldn’t define our quality and sense of ourselves.
Humor and longevity
Comedians who do not abuse themselves tend to live a long time like George Burns, Norman Lear, Mel Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, Betty White, and Carl Reiner.
Human connection is also a key to longevity and humor helps to create connection.
Improv training as a life skill
Claire says improv training should be a core curriculum in schools. Its skills help people to connect, lean into reality, and find solutions. When her dad was in dementia and was speaking gibberish, she just went with it. It was one big improv exercise that treated him with the respect he could appreciate. There was no reason to start a sentence with the word “remember.” Instead, she became part of his reality and helped him feel connected to the world.
Humor and how it helps us cope with reality
You have a choice to be a victim, be angry or negative. Humor helps you live in a more positive environment.
Dealing with substance abuse
The tough subject of substance abuse is also covered in Claire’s book as her ex-husband is an alcoholic. Everyone wants to have fun, they want to enjoy extra dessert, a cocktail, or whatever makes them feel good, but how much is enough? It’s a personal journey that we are all on.
Visit Claire Berger’s website at ClaireBerger.com. Her Facebook group is @howmuchisenough
Claire will be doing live book events with another comedian Wendy Hammers at various venues such as beauty salons, health food stores, non-profits, assisted living homes, etc.
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