Cruising through The Teens, Easier Than It Seems

Cruising through the Teens, Easier Than It Seems, written by Jerry Schaefer and illustrated by Gabriel Berron, is a concise self-help guide for teens to look inward and learn to quiet their sometimes chaotic psyches, which the author refers to as "soothing the waves crashing over the rocks." Schaefer offers much-needed help to today's teenagers, leading them to more significant and more meaningful self-awareness. The advice is palatable and not preachy, with a style that shouldn't be off-putting to adolescents. The thrust of the book is that the answers teens seek lie inside, but often the chatter of social media, technology, and rushed bombardment of other stimuli can deafen their inner voice. They need me-time, alone-time, a chance to recharge and think about who they are and what they want.

Cruising through the Teens, Easier Than It Seems, is an educational book that offers brilliant ideas to help young adults experiencing struggles in their lives. Some young adults tend to think way more than necessary about situations that have happened already, such as troubling conversations they had in the past. Some also love to think about things that have not even happened yet. They have a habit of dwelling in the past or the future more than they should, which creates struggles that weren’t even there in the first place. However, beyond this struggle, there’s this hidden part inside you, and that is your true identity. Your true identity is something beyond suffering. You are unaware of this because of the constant thoughts that run in your head. This encouraging book can help to uncover that hidden part of you that could positively change your teen years!

Cruising through the Teens, Easier Than It Seems, can be an inspiration for them. The situations mentioned are relatable and real. The ideas presented are easy to understand and can be helpful in gaining a different view of life. Some of the ideas could even be enlightening, and the meaningful but straightforward illustrations are delightful and help to get the message across. They also make the reading more enjoyable.

Schaefer has written the perfect book for teenagers searching for inner understanding or a way to know themselves. Once that is underway, it's "cruise control." Cruise control doesn't mean happy sailing at all times. Teens can and will experience ups and downs, but the tips in this book can better equip them to deal with these as they arise. The author gives examples, explaining what interior monologue is and how teens can self-talk their way into more positive experiences and results.There are chapters on expectations, those of parents and teens, and how they can create clashes and disorder. The discussions on normalcy, perfection, being present, ego, bullying, judging, etc., are what teenagers need to hear because so many seem directionless and in turmoil. There are kernels of wisdom and advice packed into this little book, using an easy, approachable style readers can relate to. Even though the author says his book isn't for everyone, it could be that Cruising through The Teens, Easier Than It Seems should be in the hands of every teenager today.

This is a self-help book that lives up to its name: the author tells teens to go inside themselves for the answers to their problems. The key is to quiet the "chattering mind," with its stream of thinking, most of it repetitive and useless. The girl, waiting for her date, has a disaster-prone monologue in her head. Schaefer gives tips on how to create gaps in thoughts, and access true wisdom.