About Karen Bluth

It’s kind of wild how one tiny, random moment can end up changing your entire life.

When I was a high school senior, I was in full panic mode over a big English project due the next day. I had absolutely no topic — just stress and a ticking clock. Driving home from a friend’s house, I spotted a small roadside sign that said “Transcendental Meditation.” I remembered hearing about meditation in school and thinking it sounded cool (and mysterious). On pure impulse — and maybe a little desperation — I made a U-turn and pulled in.

That spur-of-the-moment decision kicked off a meditation practice that’s been part of my life for over 40 years. I explored different styles and eventually focused on mindfulness. Years later, I started listening to poetry about being kinder to yourself, and it was a lightbulb moment: you don’t actually have to bully yourself to succeed. Being supportive toward yourself works way better — and feels a lot nicer, too.

I’ll be honest: my teen years were not exactly smooth sailing. (If adolescence had a Yelp review, I would’ve given it mixed stars.) That’s a big reason I care so much about helping teens now. The teenage years can feel intense, but they’re also an amazing time to grow, figure out who you are, and build skills that help you handle stress without totally freaking out.

One of my students once told me that learning mindfulness helped them stop spiraling when life got busy. Instead of panicking about everything at once, they could pause, breathe, and just tackle one thing at a time — which is a pretty great life hack.

Today I teach mindfulness and self-compassion to teens, educators, and communities around the world. My goal is simple: to give young people real tools to handle ups and downs, build confidence, and develop resilience that lasts way beyond the teen years.