---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You must learn to let go. Release the…"
description: "\"You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.\" — Steve Maraboli"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/steve-maraboli-178_control_you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-str_486884.jpg"
---

#  You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were…

![“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.” quote by Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/steve-maraboli-178_control_you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-str_486884.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/steve-maraboli-178_control_you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-str_486884.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/steve-maraboli-178_control_you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-str_486884.jpg)

> “You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.”

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Accepting that control is limited reduces anxiety and frees energy for positive action.

**In simple terms:** Let go of control to reduce stress.

Key Takeaway

Release expectations, focus on what you can influence.

Themes

self‑care acceptance stress management

Mood

calm reflective

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- personal crises
- workplace pressure
- relationship conflicts
- health setbacks

Key Concepts

psychology mindfulness agency

Questions to Reflect On

- What areas do you cling to unnecessarily?
- How can you channel released energy productively?

A Different Perspective

Letting go may feel like surrender, risking passivity if not balanced with responsibility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress/)

## Related quotes

> [Avoiding problems doesn't make them go away - you think it does, but it really doesn't. They're just postponed. Those problems just stay inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sully-erna/avoiding-problems-doesn-t-make-them-go-away-you-think-it-does-but-it/)

[Sully Erna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sully-erna/)

> [Live a better life by controlling your stress. Control your stress by not worrying about things that you can't change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-joseph/live-a-better-life-by-controlling-your-stress-control-your-stress-by/)

[Jesse Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-joseph/)

> [Worrying is waste of time. Sometimes Good and sometimes bad things happen in life. We just have to keep moving forward and need not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/worrying-is-waste-of-time-sometimes-good-and-sometimes-bad-things/)

[Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/)

> [I am willing to let go. I release others to experience whatever is meaningful to them, and I am free to create that which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-am-willing-to-let-go-i-release-others-to-experience-whatever-is/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-though-you-may-want-to-move-forward-in-your-life-you-may-have/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The knowledge of the past stays with us. To let go is to release the images and emotions, the grudges and fears, the clingings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-knowledge-of-the-past-stays-with-us-to-let-go-is-to-release-the/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [It could seem like you are losing something right now, but do not be fooled. This is simply a turnaround orchestrated by your soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/it-could-seem-like-you-are-losing-something-right-now-but-do-not-be/)

[Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/)

> [Now is the chance for me to let go and release some new Nephilim tracks which have been constrained to the studio for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-mccoy/now-is-the-chance-for-me-to-let-go-and-release-some-new-nephilim/)

Carl McCoy

> [Hitting the gym to release stress is not nearly as effective as hitting the people that cause the stress to begin with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-garner/hitting-the-gym-to-release-stress-is-not-nearly-as-effective-as/)

[Alan Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-garner/)

> [I'm here to make people feel like they can release stress, have a good time, be positive and live life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-jon/i-m-here-to-make-people-feel-like-they-can-release-stress-have-a-good/)

[Lil Jon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-jon/)

> [To release some stress, try to play some instrument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa/to-release-some-stress-try-to-play-some-instrument/)

[ALYSSA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa/)

> [When you cry, you release stress hormones, which is why you feel better after crying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-cry-you-release-stress-hormones-which-is-why-you-feel-better/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Anything that gets you to release the stress in your life and really laugh is worthwhile. It can heal the planet. It truly can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucie-arnaz/anything-that-gets-you-to-release-the-stress-in-your-life-and-really/)

Lucie Arnaz

> [Worrying = Waste Of Time. Good and bad things will happen in life. You just have to keep living and not stress over what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/worrying-waste-of-time-good-and-bad-things-will-happen-in-life-you/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Focus on what you can do rather than stress about what you have no control over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-devrye/focus-on-what-you-can-do-rather-than-stress-about-what-you-have-no/)

[Catherine DeVrye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-devrye/)

## More by Steve Maraboli

> [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/a-very-small-percentage-of-the-people-in-this-world-will-actually/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“Fear has the role we give it. We are able to empower or poison ourselves to whatever degree we want. This is the beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/fear-has-the-role-we-give-it-we-are-able-to-empower-or-poison/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“There is no greater force for change than people inspired to live a better life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/there-is-no-greater-force-for-change-than-people-inspired-to-live-a/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“If the things behind you are tripping you, you're moving in the wrong direction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/if-the-things-behind-you-are-tripping-you-you-re-moving-in-the-wrong/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“We need more than just the Law of Attraction. We need to connect with its more successful twin, the Law of Generosity. And further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/we-need-more-than-just-the-law-of-attraction-we-need-to-connect-with/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [God is the architect of the event; you are the interpreter of the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/god-is-the-architect-of-the-event-you-are-the-interpreter-of-the/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“Life had broken her; just as it had broken him. But when they got together, their pieces became whole. And they continued on their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/life-had-broken-her-just-as-it-had-broken-him-but-when-they-got/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“How would your life be different if...You could control the outcome of your day, your week, your year? Let today be the day...You embrace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/how-would-your-life-be-different-if-you-could-control-the-outcome-of/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“If you want drama, settle for the one who will change your relationship status. If you want love, wait for the one who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/if-you-want-drama-settle-for-the-one-who-will-change-your/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“The time has come to harness the blessed power within us and to use it to transcend from our current existence into a more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/the-time-has-come-to-harness-the-blessed-power-within-us-and-to-use/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [You cant fully enjoy THESE moments until you let go of past moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/you-cant-fully-enjoy-these-moments-until-you-let-go-of-past-moments/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself. It is in this relationship that you set the standard for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/the-most-powerful-relationship-you-will-ever-have-is-the-relationship/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“Walk away from gossip and verbal defamation. Speak only the good you know of other people and encourage others to do the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/walk-away-from-gossip-and-verbal-defamation-speak-only-the-good-you/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“Even though she would dream of love, respect, and unfettered romance... it was a cyclical dilemma in her life that she seemed to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/even-though-she-would-dream-of-love-respect-and-unfettered-romance-it/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

[Explore all 990 Steve Maraboli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

## More Control quotes

> [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/)

[Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/)

> [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“You can't control who loves you...you can't let someone love you anymore than you can make someone love you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/you-can-t-control-who-loves-you-you-can-t-let-someone-love-you/)

[Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/)

> [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/)

[Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/)

> [Don't think you can...know you can! You human body is the most impressive tool you'll ever own. Even if you can't control everything, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/don-t-think-you-can-know-you-can-you-human-body-is-the-most/)

[Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/)

> [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [“Without time management, you lose control of your life and do what other people tell you to do. You lose control and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-miller/without-time-management-you-lose-control-of-your-life-and-do-what/)

Thomas Miller

> [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/)

[John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/)

> [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/)

[Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/)

> [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [“He who can destroy a thing has the real control of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/he-who-can-destroy-a-thing-has-the-real-control-of-it/)

[Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/)

> [Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying-or-getting-overly/)

[Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/)

> [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/)

[Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/)

> [Some nights I'm funny with the between-song commentary, some nights I'm not. I have no control over this. I pace the stage a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/some-nights-i-m-funny-with-the-between-song-commentary-some-nights-i/)

[David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/)

> [“Control never be a means to any practical end. It can never be a means to anything but more control… Like punk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/control-never-be-a-means-to-any-practical-end-it-can-never-be-a-means/)

[William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/)

[Browse all 6,032 Control quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Steve Maraboli"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-stress-you-were-never-in-control/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Control"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-stress-you-were-never-in-control/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/steve-maraboli-178_control_you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-str_486884.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/steve-maraboli-178_control_you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-str_486884.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/steve-maraboli-178_control_you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-str_486884.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.” — Steve Maraboli",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Steve Maraboli",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "You must learn to let go....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-stress-you-were-never-in-control/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/you-must-learn-to-let-go-release-the-stress-you-were-never-in-control/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
