'Witty, shocking in parts and written with real heart ... has something to say to everyone' Sunday Times

'Honest, witty and poignant observations on life that are both heart breaking and heartwarming' Amy Huberman

As a child, being in new places made Stefanie Preissner ill, which was why her family holidayed in the same apartment on the same island off the Spanish coast for nine years in a row. And why, at Christmas, she wrote lengthy letters to Santa (note: letters, plural) begging him not to bring any surprises. She hated change. Of all descriptions. But change happens, no matter what we do.

Here, in her first book, Stefanie looks at the ways in which her life has changed. From birthdays, to friendships, to Christmas homecomings, to social media (she's more JOMO than FOMO), to the importance of asking WWNSD? (What Would Nicole Scherzinger Do?) when faced with big decisions, to the changes you can't prevent like when someone breaks up with you, Why Can't Everything Just Stay the Same? is the hilarious and honest account of one woman's journey through the biggest change of all: adulthood.


It's Stefanie's life, but her struggles are universal. Insecurity? Check. Anger? Check. Weight issues? Big fat check. Stefanie shines a light on human frailty and human strength, proving they are not opposites, but often walk hand-in-hand. Her clear-headed compassion rings true. We all "have demons way deeper than donuts", but we can control our fate. We can choose to eat or sweat. Stefanie lets us see her sweat-both literally and figuratively-and the result is an inspiring, thoroughly enjoyable book. Nell Scovell, creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch