The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About

First, the most concerning issue I have is, the author does not qualify her advice or make clear that a professional opinion is important to rule out a clinical depression or anxiety problem. No acknowledgment that some might need medication, therapy, etc to even start. Don't get me wrong, personal determination is great.
However, determination alone is not always enough and this book dangerously implies that if you're struggling, you're just not trying hard enough. As a healthcare provider, this is unacceptable.
She makes extreme claims based on anecdotal testimonies with no citations or respected sources. Apparently her "theory" has addressed PTSD, alcoholism, substance abuse, you name it.
It's giving hijacked and regurgitated:
-Serenity show more prayer
-"Let It Go" slogan
-"Let Go and Let God",
-"Don't sweat the small stuff"
- "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps"
Thoroughly convinced of her own brilliance, it's 386 pages of the author's tone deaf, privileged, oversimplified and over-marketed catch phrases.
While her "theory" and tools are cute, they don't acknowledge complex social realities and puts all the burden on an individual.
An insensitive, irresponsible money grab with a 1/2 star of actual useful information. I should have just checked out the library book. show less

In a nutshell, the Let Them Theory is the idea that you can’t influence or change what people think, do or say, so you have to just ‘let them’ and stop trying to control it. Stop letting it rule your life. That’s the basis for this latest book from motivational speaker Mel Robbins. She claims that she and her daughter came up with the theory, but in reality it’s been floating around for years – Robbins just gave a name to it.

Anyway, I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Robbins herself but I didn’t finish it. When I realised I still had three hours to go, I had to give in. That’s not to say that the book was terrible; indeed in the first half there were some good points made and worth remembering. But the whole show more thing would have been more suitable as a one hour podcast, not a 13 hour audiobook. But there’s the rub – Mel Robbins has made a career out of this and needs to earn money, so a book is going to make a lot more for her than a podcast. (At least that’s the what the cynic in me thinks.)

Also there are a couple of chapters which didn’t seem to quite fit. There is a chapter on making new friends as an adult, which is tied very tenuously into the let them theory but really is a whole other subject.

The second chapter which didn’t fit, and which honestly didn’t sit right with me, was about how to change behaviour which we don’t like in other people. What, so all of a sudden, we’re *not* going to just let them? Robbins talks about influencing people’s thoughts and manipulating them into changing into who or what we want them to be, while making them think that it was all their idea in the first place. Mmm, not cool. We’ve gone from not being able to control what others do, to suddenly manipulating others to do what we want them to do?!

Anyway I gave up at this point. As I say, it wasn’t all bad and there were a few points made which are worth being in mind. But it does not warrant a full length book and the manipulation chapter left a bad taste in my mouth. show less

Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins is a compelling read that challenges traditional notions of control and how we navigate our relationships and emotions. With her signature blend of practicality and motivation, Robbins encourages readers to embrace the idea of letting go—whether it’s releasing the need to control others or the pressures of societal expectations.

The book is filled with relatable anecdotes and actionable advice, making it both engaging and insightful. Robbins shares her personal experiences and insights, which resonate deeply with anyone struggling to manage their own feelings or the behavior of those around them. Her straightforward writing style makes complex ideas easy to understand and apply in everyday life.

One of show more the standout themes is the importance of acceptance. Robbins emphasizes that acknowledging our limitations and the realities of other people's choices can lead to greater peace of mind and healthier relationships. The exercises and reflections provided encourage introspection and growth, making it a practical guide for personal development.

Overall, "Let Them Be" is a refreshing take on self-empowerment and emotional resilience. It’s an excellent read for anyone looking to foster a healthier mindset and improve their connections with others. Mel Robbins has once again delivered a powerful narrative that inspires readers to reclaim their joy and freedom through letting go. show less

Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins is a compelling read that challenges traditional notions of control and how we navigate our relationships and emotions. With her signature blend of practicality and motivation, Robbins encourages readers to embrace the idea of letting go—whether it’s releasing the need to control others or the pressures of societal expectations.

The book is filled with relatable anecdotes and actionable advice, making it both engaging and insightful. Robbins shares her personal experiences and insights, which resonate deeply with anyone struggling to manage their own feelings or the behavior of those around them. Her straightforward writing style makes complex ideas easy to understand and apply in everyday life.

One of show more the standout themes is the importance of acceptance. Robbins emphasizes that acknowledging our limitations and the realities of other people's choices can lead to greater peace of mind and healthier relationships. The exercises and reflections provided encourage introspection and growth, making it a practical guide for personal development.

Overall, "Let Them Be" is a refreshing take on self-empowerment and emotional resilience. It’s an excellent read for anyone looking to foster a healthier mindset and improve their connections with others. Mel Robbins has once again delivered a powerful narrative that inspires readers to reclaim their joy and freedom through letting go. show less

I read this book because my mom had seen Mel Robbins' podcasts and interviews. We decided to read it together. I personally didn't love it. I didn't find it all that helpful. It's not that I don't get the premise. I do. The premise being that when something isn't going right, you are unhappy or upset at a situation or person, that you simply say let them. Let me not invite you to a party. Let them live their lives. Then you can implement changes by asking them to go to party or coffee etc. You can take the lead to include them more in your life in hopes that it will heal the relationship or improve upon it. I personally didn't love it. So you say let them, and then you put in the work if it's that important to you. This isn't earth show more shattering news. However, I do like that she included personal examples (even though there was more of these than necessary in my opinion). I would never tell someone that a book isn't for them. Especially books like this one that aim to improve people's lives, so take a shot if you want to and maybe it will work for you. show less

This book may not change your life but it might help you feel better.

Mel Robbins talks a lot about control issues. She says: stop trying to get people to understand your views and let them be who they want to be. She addresses a number of issues: the difficulty of change and how to pick yourself up when you’re feeling down. She has a lot to say about relationships and what works best.

So many people that face hardships don’t have resources for a therapist. Or, they don’t want to let people know there are problems. Or, they may not even realize what’s going on in their head. This book could help.

Included are numerous examples of situations. It’s easy to read with quick chapters and a short review at the end. It’s impossible show more for someone to include all ages and circumstances but she covers basic grounds. If you don’t understand it, you will at the end as she keeps repeating information.

Nevertheless, it’s a decent book to pass around and to put on the shelf for times when you may need some inspiration in life. It can be a benefit for someone you know as well when times are tough. This book is a best seller for a reason. show less

Solid 4⭐️ Like all self help books, they plant seeds, what you do with that seed is what makes the difference. Some you water and grow others die out. This book had areas that resonated, areas that didnt, and gives me valuable self reflection. I can see the hype =)