Recently, I was stressed to the max because a certain situation was not going exactly how I planned it. The situation was out of my control. I felt as though I was watching things happen around me, and there was nothing I could do about it.

I poured out my heart to my therapist and looked at her in distress. I simply cried, " I don't like this. I don't know how to fix it."

Her reply struck me to the core. "You can't fix it."

My only reply was a look of confusion and frustration. I had been spending so much of my mental energy trying "solve this problem." I had tried everything I imagined possible, and of course, nothing was working.

Acknowledging my puzzled look, my therapist simply said, "it is safe to let go."

With those five words, everything seemed to come together. She did not need to explain that further.

I can let go of my worries about the future because those are in God's hands. As the Bible says in Matthew 6:34, "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I can let go of my expectations in my friendships and relationships.

I can simply let go and live.

Letting go is hard to do. Whether it be letting go of a relationship, a goal, a position, or control, it never seems to be any easier.

We live in a world of expectations, keeping up with the trends, and trying to make it seem as though we have our lives together.

You don't have to strive for the "perfect" lives you see on other people's Instagrams.

If these "perfect" people were being honest, they don't have it all together either.

We get caught up in the busyness of life and are constantly striving for our next big success. While goals are important, it becomes a problem when your goal takes over your life.

When your goal of having a 4.0 causes you to miss out on your little sister's birthday party because you were studying, it is a problem. When your goal of having a healthy body has you rejecting the cookie your friend made or obsessively exercising, it is a problem.

If you are missing out on your life, trying to build the perfect life, it is time to let go. Not only is it time to let go, but it is also safe to let go.

Now, when I say "let go," I do not mean let go of your dreams, your passions, or your goals. Letting go in this instance means so much more.

Letting go means being okay missing your workout for the day because an old friend wants to go for coffee. Letting go means being okay with a "B" on an assignment and not beating yourself up for not getting that perfect score.

Letting go opens your life to new possibilities, new adventures, and new memories.