Tanya Carroll Richardson - Zen Teen: 40 Ways to Stay Calm When Life Gets Stressful

H ello! Tanya Carroll Richardson here, the author of this book. Although I hesitate to call myself the author because so many of the concepts in Zen Teen are drawn from ancient wisdom that has been updated, by myself and many others, to fit our modern times.

As I write this note, Im in my early forties (I know that seems incredibly old to you right now, but when you get to be my age it wont seem so old, and you will realize that in many ways youre still the same person you were at seventeen). Ive learned a couple of things for sure about the pressures and challenges of everyday life. I feel confident that when I share what Ive learned with you, you can experience new levels of peace and lasting happiness so that when you face a setback, detour, or disappointment, you will feel more prepared to overcome it. Youre already stronger and more capable than you know. (This is a wonderful lesson life teaches us all.) My hope is that this book will help you be more open to joy during the good times and more resilient when life is (really, really) hard.

The year I turned eighteen was probably the most challenging time of my life, and I admit I felt very lost. My mother died when I was seventeen, and my last two years of high school I didnt concentrate on schoolwork. In fact, I found out on the final day of high school that I had failed a chemistry course and wouldnt graduate with my class. That same week, I had to get an apartment and a job and start life on my own as an adult. To make matters even more challenging, I had developed an eating disorder my senior year of high school and wasnt physically or emotionally healthy. I got through it with the help of loud music and good friends, and some of the practices youll find in this book. By learning how to manage stress and overcome anxiety, I eventually took a summer course to finish high school, enrolled in college, and went on to get a masters degree. I moved to London and then New York City, where I have worked as a writer for twenty years. I am married to the love of my life, and I can truly say that I am mentally and physically healthier (and happier) than I ever thought possible during my teen years.

I wish Id had a book like Zen Teen in my life back when I was struggling with intense emotions and anxiety about the future. But since I dont have a magic time machine to take me back so I can tell my eighteen-year-old self all these mindfulness practices (wouldnt that be cool?), I did the next best thing: I wrote them down in a book for you.

Your life might be going great right now, and if it is, good for you! For those of you who feel the powerful pressure of everyday realities, I get it. The goal of this book is to show you how to make the most of the good times, help you find more meaning in each day, and teach you to navigate the stressful moments and challenging emotions we all sometimes experience. You cant always change what happens to you, but you can change your reaction to what happens and learn coping skills to make the best of any situation.

Somehow life has magically sent me everything I needed to face my challenges. The tools in this book should help you meet your own challenges.

As a teen, you need extra love, gentle support, and an optimistic attitude. Most of all, you need to stay mindful. That will help you cultivate more calm and claim more confidence. Life is an adventure, and I want yours to be inspiring, exciting, and full of assurance that you are ready for whatever comes.

Love,

Tanya