We can’t always control everything in our lives. I’ll be honest—that’s hard for me. Like most people, I like to plan out my schedule, my goals and even the outcomes of my efforts. But the truth is, holding on too tightly doesn’t always lead to the best results.

So often, we spend our time stressing over problems and worrying about tomorrow. In doing that, we can forget to enjoy the little moments that make today special. The funny conversations with friends, a sunset after a long day or even just laughing at ourselves when things don’t go as planned. Those moments can pass us by if we’re too focused on what might happen next.

Starting college has been one of the biggest reminders of this for me. With new schedules, classes and responsibilities, I’ve realized just how many things are outside of my control. At first, I found myself trying to juggle it all perfectly—newsflash, it didn’t work. What I did learn, though, is that stressing over what I can’t change doesn’t solve the problem. In fact, it just steals the joy right out of the present moment.

Instead, I’ve been working on focusing on what I can control: my attitude, my effort and how I choose to spend each day. When I do that, I find more peace in the present and more appreciation for the journey I’m on.

If you’re anything like me, you probably want things to always go according to plan. But maybe the best growth comes when we let go a little, trust the process and learn to enjoy the ride. Life has a way of working itself out, sometimes even better than we could have planned.

So here’s my challenge for you (and for myself, too): take a deep breath, loosen your grip on the things you can’t control and look for the little joys today has to offer. You might just find that the unplanned moments become your favorite memories.