Don’t Take Life Too Seriously: How to Have More Fun | The Mel Robbins Podcast

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, you are going to learn the art of having more #fun. I share a #hilarious story about a major wardrobe malfunction with you and two podcast crew members. You’ll laugh along at all the ridiculous details, but the takeaway is serious: Learning how to laugh at yourself is a superpower, and research says people who have a sense of humor are more respected and are viewed as more confident and intelligent by their peers. We talk about you: - How having fun in life is an art form - How to turn something embarrassing into something hilarious and relatable - How humor increases power and status - Why it’s important to not take yourself too seriously - How to create a bond and change the tone in any social situation - Why it’s imperative to never buy a bodysuit that is too small Seriously? You need to laugh more. Let’s start today. Xo Mel In this episode, you'll learn: 00:00 Intro 01:26 The best feeling in the world: unsnapping a bodysuit. 05:48 Chris tells us what the equivalent feeling is for men. 06:58 The major wardrobe failure I had yesterday. 12:46 Pro tip: always test drive a cool outfit before an event (especially if it includes shapewear). 14:34 The worst wedgie that I have ever had. 16:39 I can’t believe I just admitted this, but don’t we all do this? 19:45 The most important thing to do in embarrassing situations: laugh at yourself. 22:10 Let everyone in on the joke, it will change the dynamic. 27:03 My ultimate moment of relief. 30:30 How turning something embarrassing into something hilarious and relatable tightens bonds. 32:19 Why does Amy do stand-up comedy and can you develop a sense of humor at any point? 34:55 According to research, the funnier the person, the more respect and power you hold. 37:59 I invite you to do this one thing: laugh at yourself. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Mel Robbins?

  Hey, it's your friend Mel and welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. Let's do this.

• 0:09Mel Robbins?

  I am so excited for today. I came running up the stairs above the garage here in our studio in Vermont and boy, oh, boy, do I have a story to tell not only you, but I'm sitting here with my friends and colleagues, Amy and Jessie.

• 0:25Speaker 01

  Hello.

• 0:26Mel Robbins?

  Hello. Okay, so I think we're gonna call this a jump on a mic kind of episode because this is gonna be super random, but I promise you, there's a point to it. I have a freaking hilarious story to tell you guys. I can't wait. It involves a wardrobe failure.

• 0:42Speaker 01

  Yes.

• 0:42Mel Robbins?

  That is super embarrassing and really, really funny. Are you ready for it?

• 0:48Speaker 01

  Yes.

• 0:49Mel Robbins?

  Okay, so first of all, I have a question for everybody. Is there any better feeling than taking your bra off at the end of the day?

• 1:01Speaker 01

  No, period. That's a let loose feeling.

• 1:05Mel Robbins?

  Yes. How would you describe that? Like you literally reach back, unhook?

• 1:10Speaker 01

  Yeah. It's like, do you ever get like the itchy, like, ooh, you just wanna rub underneath? Like you just wanna, just a little shake, shake them loose?

• 1:19Mel Robbins?

  Yeah. Well, mine sort of fall like pancakes, flat against me.

• 1:22Speaker 01

  Gravity doesn't help, but.

• 1:23Mel Robbins?

  Yes, yes.

• 1:24Speaker 01

  It's a good feeling.

• 1:25Mel Robbins?

  It's like, it just is like a giant.

• 1:29Mel Robbins?

  Yeah. And you know what I wonder? Do dudes have a, like, do they have like a let loose moment?

• 1:39Mel Robbins?

  They might always be loose.

• 1:44Mel Robbins?

  No, seriously, it's a serious question. Is there a moment for a guy that feels as freeing as unhooking your bra?

• 1:54Speaker 02

  I think like you think about a guy in traditional sense, coming home from work, walk through the door, first thing he does loosen up his tie.

• 2:02Mel Robbins?

  Hmm, that is not, I don't think is good. What about a belt? A belt? I would say if the belt is quite tight and it's holding a lot in, that would probably be like, oh God. Yeah. I just heard my husband pull in. There is, I have to ask Chris about this. I'm gonna call him right now and tell him to come up here. Let's hope he has his cellphone on him, because normally he doesn't. Did you wear shape wear at your wedding, Jesse?

• 2:29Speaker 01

  I did not wear shape.

• 2:30Mel Robbins?

  Why? Isn't that when everybody does?

• 2:32Speaker 01

  It's your wedding night. You gotta have some quick, easy access after that night wrapped. We can't be scrambling to get that off. It's one thing to get the dress off, but then like that's gonna be super glued after a night. No way.

• 2:45Mel Robbins?

  That's true. It's like this beige sausage casing that you're gonna roll off.

• 2:49Speaker 01

  There was boob tape, but that's fine.

• 2:51Mel Robbins?

  Here he comes. Hey, baby. Hi. Okay, so we got a question for you.

• 2:55Speaker 03

  What's up?

• 2:56Mel Robbins?

  There is almost no better feeling for a woman than to take her bra off at the end of the day. What is the equivalent for a dude?

• 3:11Speaker 03

  Of removing a piece of apparel?

• 3:14Mel Robbins?

  Just freedom. Like you just are like, oh.

• 3:18Speaker 03

  Well, I didn't play a lot of football, but I would imagine removing a jockstrap would be a little bit like that.

• 3:23Mel Robbins?

  What about your bike shorts? So you've been out for a 70 mile ride. You're wearing a pair of padded bike shorts.

• 3:30Speaker 03

  My crotch is like on fire.

• 3:33Mel Robbins?

  Yes, yes. When you roll that off like a pair of pantyhose, what does that feel like?

• 3:38Speaker 03

  My balls hurt, the whole deal.

• 3:40Mel Robbins?

  Yes.

• 3:40Speaker 03

  Yeah, that feels pretty good.

• 3:42Mel Robbins?

  Really?

• 3:42Speaker 03

  Yeah. You know, the amount of sort of abuse that my nuts are taking in the saddle on a bike ride is very different than your breasts over the course of a day, right?

• 3:55Mel Robbins?

  Well, I don't know. That's why I'm asking you.

• 3:57Speaker 02

  What do you think she does all day?

• 3:59Speaker 03

  I don't know.

• 4:01Mel Robbins?

  Where their breasts.

• 4:03Speaker 03

  Well, there's some feeling associated with removing the brassiere.

• 4:07Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, well, I just figured your balls, your doodledads that you call them sometimes, that they just kind of drop a little and that feels very freeing.

• 4:18Speaker 03

  Yeah, like I said, no different than, well, I guess for you, wearing Spanx, there's nothing dropping, right? It's just, but yeah, that's a good feeling.

• 4:29Mel Robbins?

  I would love to know, for you listening, is there something that we're missing here? That you feel is that moment of it's just like, oh, at the end of the day? You guys are so creative and very sort of interesting in your insights about these things. And so I guarantee you we're missing a couple, so I can't wait to hear what you write in about. But the reason why I'm telling you this story is because yesterday I experienced

• 5:01Mel Robbins?

  a moment of body freedom.

• 5:05Mel Robbins?

  That was, I would say, maybe 25 times more liberating than taking a bra off at the end of the day. 25 times? Body freedom? Yes, it also involves a major wardrobe failure. Oh. So let me tell you the story, okay? And as I tell you the story, I would love for you to think about

• 5:27Mel Robbins?

  some wardrobe failure that maybe you've had. Oh. Because these seem to happen to me all the time. I don't know what it is, but, so here's what happened. So my daughters have recently introduced me to shapewear. I'm a huge fan of Sarah Blakely. Yeah. The founder of Spanx. I love her story, but I've never been, sorry, Sarah, a huge fan of shapewear. And one of the reasons why is because when Spanx first came out, and this is not like a slam on Spanx, but when they first came out and I bought a high-waisted pair of bike shorts, they give me gas. I don't know if that's like a new, I don't know if that's me, but I felt like the compression was so compressed, or maybe I-

• 6:09Mel Robbins?

  Bought the wrong size that I felt gassy and crampy all day wearing shapewear. So I thought, okay, I'm getting gas. I have cramps. It's sort of like the same thing as when you wear really high waisted pants and you sit down and it's like a tourniquet on your stomach.

• 6:26Speaker 02

  Yes.

• 6:27Mel Robbins?

  Just cuts at the wrong spot. So I probably just bought the wrong style and wore it with the wrong thing.

• 6:32Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 6:33Mel Robbins?

  So I have not worn shapewear. Do you guys wear shapewear?

• 6:38Speaker 02

  I did.

• 6:39Mel Robbins?

  I have. Yeah.

• 6:41Speaker 02

  And then we moved to Vermont.

• 6:45Speaker 02

  You don't need it up here.

• 6:47Mel Robbins?

  That's true.

• 6:47Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 6:48Mel Robbins?

  You really don't. Let everything go.

• 6:49Speaker 02

  No.

• 6:50Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, just let it all hang out.

• 6:51Speaker 02

  No, I still have it. I can almost guarantee you that if I were to bring it in and show it to you and you were to take the waistband and just kind of like flex it a little bit, it would probably disintegrate. Cause I just never wear it.

• 7:05Mel Robbins?

  Yeah. So here's what happened. My daughter Kendall was up and I asked her if she would help me go through my closet. Because I am trying to get rid of clothes that don't fit. And so I was trying on clothes and my daughter came to this conclusion. That the reason why I hate my clothes is because I have no shapewear and I have saggy bras.

• 7:24Speaker 02

  So she's saying shapewear is essential.

• 7:27Mel Robbins?

  Yes. Yes.

• 7:28Speaker 02

  Enjoying the way you look in clothes.

• 7:30Mel Robbins?

  Yes. And so she pulled up the internet and she went to. Pulled up the internet. She went to Skims, which is Kim Kardashian's line. And you know, if anybody other than Sarah Blakely is gonna make shapewear, Kim Kardashian seems like the perfect person to do that. And we ordered a bunch of stuff. So it arrives, it comes in this box. I pull this stuff out. I kid you not. It looks like Barbie clothing. That's how small it is. I pull it out. I'm like, this is not gonna fit me. Did you order the children's size? She's like, Mom, this is perfect. This is exactly how it looks. I'm like, are you kidding me? I can't fit my body in this. And so she coaches me through getting it on. And basically you stretch it like, you know, to kind of loosen it up a little bit.

• 8:15Speaker 02

  Like a balloon before you're gonna put it on.

• 8:17Mel Robbins?

  At least I had to. And then, you know, I stepped into it and you sort of like yank it up on your body. And it's a lot like pulling sausage casing up over your body. Very thin, stretches out. I put it on. She ordered me the thong. Okay, which I probably would not have done, but I gotta give props to Kim Kardashian because the thong was not a string. It actually was like a landing strip. There was enough there so it was not going to go right up my rear end. And so I put it on and I looked in the mirror and I'm like, dang, this, this looks pretty damn good. Not gonna, not gonna lie. What did you think about those skims that I bought? The bodysuits?

• 8:56Speaker 03

  They look good. It looks kind of uncomfortable to me. It looks kinda, little tight. I'm not sure I would go with that.

• 9:07Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, here's the mistake I made. I tried it on. I'm like, this is great. And then I took it off and went on with my life. I didn't walk around in it. I didn't sit down in it. I didn't test it for real life. You have to test drive your underwear. That is true, actually. You do. Yeah. Well, I did not know this. Yeah. So, I mean, I didn't either. Fast forward to my wardrobe fail. Here's the story. And Chris, you've heard this horror show before. So if you want to blaze, right now is a great time to bounce. But first, I just want to thank you for coming up. So thank you, honey.

• 9:41Speaker 03

  You're welcome.

• 9:41Mel Robbins?

  We love you. Ladies and gentlemen, Christopher Robbins. Thanks for representing. Yes, awesome. Okay. Are you two ready for this? Ready for me to go back to the story? Oh, yeah.

• 9:55Mel Robbins?

  Oh, my God. Okay. So I was in Boston because I was invited by a friend to go to this fundraiser at the Institute of Contemporary Art that was celebrating women artists. And I was so excited to go. I thought, okay, this is gonna be a cool group of people. And a really cool group of women. So I gotta, I gotta put on like a really cool, I'm into art outfit. Oh, I'm into art. Yes. So I pull out a pair of black pants that I have not worn in probably eight years. Now's the day. Now's the day. Now's the day. And they're very like, stretchy fabric. And they were

• 10:37Mel Robbins?

  the kind of pants that I wore when I had to go into corporate settings. So really nicely tailored. You can see everything in the rear end. So I'm like, this would be a great moment to wear my bodysuit. Okay, right? Yeah. And I've also pulled out a sweater that is a ribbed sweater. So it's tight, right? And the sweater is, is the boldest colors. So I'm going for like the pop art look. Right. I've got on black pants. I got on black heeled boots and I've got on this tight ribbed sweater that is bold stripes. I look like human caution tape. It is white and then it is yellow and then it is brown and then it is black. I'm like a bumblebee kinda. Love it.

• 11:22Mel Robbins?

  Yes. That's a good art outfit. Statement. Yes, yeah. I looked great. Yeah, yeah. And the shape we're pulled it all in. I'm like, this is great. I look like I support art. I look really cool, but not pretentious. I got like the pop thing going. Wow. The color is all springy. Yes. And so I get in the car. Things are really good. Mm hmm. I'm listening to great music. Things are really good. I get downtown to Boston. Things are really good. I find a parking space in a parking garage a couple of blocks away from the ICA. Things are really good.

• 11:59Mel Robbins?

  I get out of the car and going from sitting to standing up sort of made the bodysuit go from really good to not so great. Because that thong started to turn into a wedgie. Oh, no. Now, I get out of the car and I try to reach back and pull it down a little while I'm in the parking garage, right? Yeah. And I can't get a grip. That's a two-hand job. Yes, but I don't know that, right? And plus I'm, plus the thing is starting in about five minutes. So I gotta, I gotta go. So I stick my hand down the back of my pants and try to just like move it down a little. Yeah. And that works. That works.

• 12:44Mel Robbins?

  Well, I am embarrassed to tell you what I did next, but I'm not telling you until after a break. Oh, my God. So. No. Don't go anywhere. This is worth sticking around for. We'll be right back.

• 13:08Mel Robbins?

  Okay, welcome back. It's your friend Mel. I'm here with Amy and Jessie. And I was just telling you how I was wearing this new compression wear bodysuit for the very first time. And it was looking and it was feeling great, right guys? And I was driving into Boston and things were really good, but as soon as I stood up, I have this giant painful wedgie in this public parking garage. And as Jessie says, in order to unlock that kind of bodysuit wedgie, that is a quote, "two-hand job." Oh, yeah. Yeah, just yank that sucker down. You need both hands there. Yeah. So, being a newbie to this sort of situation, I did not know that.

• 13:52Mel Robbins?

  And so, we are at the part of my story where I am sticking my hand down the back of my pants. And I'm just trying to push the thong part down to move it down a little. And what do you think I did next? Did you wash your hands? No, I smelled it.

• 14:15Speaker 02

  I knew you were gonna say that!

• 14:18Mel Robbins?

  No! It did not smell bad. And I'm like, okay, okay, so...

• 14:24Speaker 02

  Wouldn't you have smelled your hand?

• 14:26Mel Robbins?

  Yes. Let me tell you something.

• 14:28Speaker 02

  What?

• 14:28Mel Robbins?

  Yes, but why? Why are we doing this? Why are we smelling our hands? Why would you smell your hand? Because I am about to walk into an event where I'm gonna see my friends. Yeah. And I don't want to give them a hug if I have poop hands. Yeah. But not like actual poop, but I don't want my hand to smell like that. Yeah. I can't say I've ever smelled someone's hand, though. I know, but I just felt like if it smelled bad, like there's something like not cool. Really, there would be...

• 14:54Speaker 02

  I am outnumbered on this.

• 14:55Mel Robbins?

  Or what if somebody, what if somebody that I don't know is standing next to one of my friends? And I hug my friend and I keep my hand off of my friend? But then somebody goes, "It's nice to meet you," and they extend your hand.

• 15:08Speaker 01

  Well, it's on you for not putting some hand sanitizer on those hands.

• 15:12Mel Robbins?

  I don't have hand sanitizer in my car. So I just wanted to clear, like, I wanted to have a clear conscience walking into this place.

• 15:20Speaker 02

  Yeah, it's like checking your breath.

• 15:21Mel Robbins?

  Yes, yes.

• 15:23Speaker 02

  Check your, like, just do that.

• 15:25Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, I, I, I'm, I get it.

• 15:28Speaker 02

  It is relatable.

• 15:29Mel Robbins?

  I think it's actually a very conscientious thing to do for other people.

• 15:35Speaker 02

  Yes, it is true. It is true.

• 15:36Mel Robbins?

  Okay.

• 15:37Speaker 02

  It's conscientious.

• 15:38Speaker 01

  I'll start doing it.

• 15:39Speaker 02

  But also, a lot of people wouldn't admit that. So, props to you for just telling all the details of the story.

• 15:46Mel Robbins?

  You know.

• 15:47Speaker 02

  Getting into all of it.

• 15:47Mel Robbins?

  That's what I'm here for.

• 15:48Speaker 02

  Yes, okay.

• 15:49Mel Robbins?

  So, I'm like, okay, I'm good. I have five minutes to get two city blocks to an event that's about to begin.

• 15:56Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 15:56Mel Robbins?

  And so I start to walk, and I'm, as I'm, what's it called? Forward ambulation? That's what the neuroscientists call it. I'm forward ambulating as I walk. And as I'm walking, and I'm walking like I'm late, because I'm about to be late, I'm realizing, as I'm walking, this frickin' bodysuit is starting to slowly inch up. And the bodysuit is starting to give me a simultaneous wedgie in the front and the back, which basically means I had both a camel toe and a piece of floss that was starting to go up and up and up like a hammock from the front to the back.

• 16:39Mel Robbins?

  And so now, I can't stride it out, because I'm gonna split myself in half. And so now, I'm shuffling as fast as I possibly can, because I don't want a big stride. And I shuffle into the ICA, and there is my friend. And I walk right up to her, and I give her a big hug, and I whisper in her ear, "I've got a giant wedgie in my bodysuit. I've gotta find it, but where's the bathroom?" She's like, "Oh, my God, oh, my God, that's the worst feeling." She's like, points to the thing, and she goes, "I'll save you a seat, okay?" And I'm like, "Oh, my God, I love you. Don't you love friends like that?"

• 17:09Speaker 02

  Yes.

• 17:10Mel Robbins?

  Oh! So, I shuffle to the bathroom.

• 17:14Mel Robbins?

  This thing is so far up me that I dropped my pants to the floor. And to your point, Jessie, this is a two-hand maneuver. Yes, I have to grab both sides. Front and back. Oh, I didn't start there. Oh, you started on your side. I started on the sides. Interesting move.

• 17:33Speaker 02

  You know, I think that's a gentler approach.

• 17:35Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, I needed to create some slack and some extra.

• 17:38Speaker 02

  This bodysuit showed itself to you as a Barbie outfit. You got it to expand. It was like, it was like the pumpkin turned into a carriage. And then all of the sudden,

• 17:52Speaker 02

  it snaps back to Barbie suit for you. Like at the wrong time, you know? Yes. And so right back to the pumpkin and you haven't even gotten to the dance yet. And you're like, this, this is a difficult situation. So I get the sides thing. You need the slack.

• 18:08Mel Robbins?

  Yes.

• 18:08Speaker 02

  I think that was a good strategy.

• 18:10Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, I'm like,

• 18:13Speaker 02

  Pull down.

• 18:13Mel Robbins?

  Yes, because I wanted a couple inches.

• 18:15Speaker 02

  Yes.

• 18:15Mel Robbins?

  Okay. And plus this thing had basically like rolled up almost like a string, right? Because it was so stretched and I have to flatten the landing strip back out so it doesn't do it again.

• 18:24Speaker 02

  I just want to tell you, my heart is racing for this story. Like, I'm really feeling this. Like, I'm a little bit starting to sweat.

• 18:32Mel Robbins?

  It's very relatable. Yes, you know, here's the thing, and I have to give myself props. The old me would have just been like embarrassed and like, why can't you do that?

• 18:46Mel Robbins?

  And I just was like, this is the craziest. I was laughing at myself. And I think that's

• 18:51Speaker 02

  Yes.

• 18:51Mel Robbins?

  So important in life to be able to whisper in your friend's ear that you got a wedgie, to be able to laugh at yourself as you're in a bathroom in like what you think is the best art-forward outfit that you've ever put on in a brand-new bodysuit that you've never tested, like in a real-life situation. Yeah. I am yanking it down on the sides to give me a couple extra inches so that I can straighten out the middle and get it repositioned in place. Unsnapping it was not an option because what happens when you unsnap a bodysuit?

• 19:21Speaker 02

  Oh, I, it, the snaps hit your teeth that goes up so far.

• 19:25Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, basically rolls up like a window shade. And plus this thing like, I was afraid if I unsnap it, it's gonna hang out the front and the back and God knows it's now got stuff on it because I don't have underwear on and I'm like, this is a disaster.

• 19:36Speaker 02

  It has been up there. Yeah, you don't know.

• 19:38Mel Robbins?

  Yes. And so I get it all positioned and the problem is, is that now as I'm pulling it down, it's pulling off my boobs. Oh, no.

• 19:47Speaker 02

  Like it's not on your boobs anymore.

• 19:49Mel Robbins?

  No. And so I have a long torso.

• 19:51Speaker 02

  Oh.

• 19:52Mel Robbins?

  Yes, I have a long torso. So I now look like, what is it, the Heineken or the St. Pauli girl only with my shirt on.

• 19:58Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 19:58Mel Robbins?

  And I've got a ripped sweater, so you can see the nipples and everything else. So I'm like yanking this thing to try to stretch it out. I finally, you know, it didn't even occur to me. I could have just taken it off and been nude. It didn't even occur to me.

• 20:14Speaker 02

  It wouldn't have occurred to me either. You don't wanna be that person at the art studio.

• 20:21Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, they wouldn't care.

• 20:22Speaker 02

  You don't wanna be that person.

• 20:23Mel Robbins?

  So I get it all positioned. I of course wash my hands. Good.

• 20:29Speaker 02

  Everyone can exhale now.

• 20:32Mel Robbins?

  Yep. And I go to the luncheon and...

• 20:36Speaker 02

  What's your attitude? Like, I've got this? Or are you like?

• 20:39Mel Robbins?

  Oh, I of course told a bunch of people because like I think it's hilarious and I think everybody can relate to it.

• 20:43Speaker 02

  I think everybody can relate. And I think a lot of times people look at you and they're like, wow, you know, she doesn't give a shit. She's got her act together. What a badass. I think that's true. And then I, I have to give it to you, Mel. You take it up a notch. Not only do you not give a shit, but you make, you make fun of her. So you let everybody in on the joke.

• 21:07Mel Robbins?

  You'll tell people. I am a joke.

• 21:09Speaker 02

  Guess what?

• 21:10Mel Robbins?

  But it's a relatable joke. And I think it's an interesting point that you just made about the kind of distinction between not giving a shit versus being able to laugh at yourself because they are related, but it's a different thing. And I think both are really important. The not giving a shit part is the ability to whisper in your friend's ear.

• 21:32Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 21:33Mel Robbins?

  That you have a wedgie right now. And to tell people the disaster just happened in the bathroom.

• 21:38Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 21:39Mel Robbins?

  Right? And that is one layer that I think is really important. And the second thing though, which has been very freeing for me is just...

• 21:49Mel Robbins?

  Like loosening the grip and being able to laugh at these moments. And it's, it's interesting because humor, we've done a lot of research on humor because of speeches that I've given or other projects that we've done for Audible. The research is kind of bananas. In fact, why don't we take a break? This is a great time to allow our sponsors to entertain you for a second. And let's dig into the research real quick while you guys are listening to a commercial, because I think it's important to explain that humor is actually a really important skill and asset in life. Oh, yeah. And if I recall correctly, it makes other people think you're intelligent. They trust you more. It exudes confidence. Yeah. In the workplace, and I realize this was not in the workplace.

• 22:33Mel Robbins?

  I mean, it was like a professional event. Yeah, but it was, it was, it was professional though. You know, it wasn't like you were sitting on the couch with your girlfriends. But there's all this research about leadership and teams when it comes to having a sense of humor. Now, I would not tell your boss you had a thong wedgie up your ass. I would not do that. Yeah. But I think there's a lot here to unpack. And by the way, I'm not done with the story. Oh, my God, there's more. There's a lot more. All right. And I'll tell you all of it when we come back. Okay.

• 23:15Mel Robbins?

  Welcome back. It's your friend Mel and I'm here with my colleagues and friends, Amy and Jesse, in our studios. And we're doing a jump on the mic episode, which basically means I rolled in here hot with a story to tell. And now we're making something of it. But I was just talking about this wardrobe malfunction and how having a sense of humor is such an asset in life. Where were we? So here we're, here we are. And then we got to get to the humor thing, because I think that's the big takeaway here. Yeah. Laugh, laugh, laugh at yourself. You have to be able to laugh at yourself. Because the second you start laughing at a situation, this is the most ridiculous thing I've gotten myself into. Why do you always do this to yourself, Mel? Like, it can go two different ways, right? I could

• 23:58Mel Robbins?

  Either be shuffling toward this museum, beating myself up for buying the wrong size, always getting it wrong, screwing things up, running late, or I can be laughing at myself. Yeah. And how ridiculous this is. Of course I've done this to myself. Of course I would have a thong up my ass the first time I am going to this really nice thing. Mm-hmm. And of course, I'm having a massive wardrobe problem. But, so this is not all. So, as I'm sitting at the luncheon, it is slowly starting to itch up again. Oh, no. While you're sitting this time? Yes. And so as we walk back to the parking garage, I'm with a friend, one of my closest friends, Lisa, and she's just like, "Stop picking at that wedgie. Stop picking at that wedgie." Can't stop. Just unsnap the damn thing. Your hands smell.

• 24:42Mel Robbins?

  And I'm like, "I can't unsnap the thing. First of all, I can't unsnap it because I'm in a public space." Yeah. And trying to unsnap a bodysuit in a discreet way is next to impossible. No. And so my only choice is to try to pick at it. And so we get down to the parking garage. Thank God. We go to her car first, so I don't have to walk that far, and then she drives me to my car, so that I don't have to keep dealing with this. I get out of the thing, and I open up my car door and step behind it. I mean, I do have some decor. Good. I'm not gonna like, drop my pants, you know, and make Lisa watch this. So I literally unsnap it. It rolls up like a window shade.

• 25:26Mel Robbins?

  Question. Are your pants still down? Are you able to do this with your pants like around? Oh, no. I have to take my pants like, down. They're down. And I have to kinda squat and do the yank down again. I unsnap it. You're getting a full breeze now. Oh, my God. If you think taking a bra off, or a pair of bike shorts off. Yeah. For you gentlemen out there, feels liberating? Mm-mm. Try unsnapping a thong bodysuit that's too small. Mm-mm. While you ate poached salmon and asparagus. Mm-mm. I just wanted to stand there for a minute with my legs shoulder width apart, you know, just... Yes.

• 26:12Mel Robbins?

  I just, oh.

• 26:14Speaker 02

  It's, it's expansion from all sides. It's not just the bra.

• 26:17Mel Robbins?

  Yeah.

• 26:18Speaker 02

  It's like you, that is the definition of let loose.

• 26:22Mel Robbins?

  Yeah.

• 26:22Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 26:23Mel Robbins?

  Yes.

• 26:23Speaker 02

  You let it all loose.

• 26:24Mel Robbins?

  And sure enough, I button my pants back up. I step out from a side, the side of the door. I shut the door. Lisa is laughing hysterically because now, of course, I have the front part hanging down in front.

• 26:37Speaker 02

  Oh.

• 26:37Mel Robbins?

  And the back part like a tail. And she's laughing and I'm laughing and I'm like, you gotta take a picture of this. You gotta take a picture of this dude. Like, this is hilarious. I gotta remember this. And so she goes, well, I gotta back the car up so I can get a good angle. And I'm like, okay. So she starts backing the car up. I can't make this up. And she freaking hits a parking pylon. So now I'm doubled over laughing with the unsnapped bodysuit hanging out of my pants. And I'm like, what should I do? What should I do? And she's like, just step over there and strike a pose. So I kind of put my arm up on my head. I look like this exasperated freedom look.

• 27:16Mel Robbins?

  She snaps a photo. And when we look at it, we cannot believe it. I gotta show you. There's this. Holy guacamole.

• 27:28Mel Robbins?

  I want you to look at the sign that is above me and read it to whatever, read it to everybody.

• 27:34Speaker 01

  Caution, dead end.

• 27:37Mel Robbins?

  And it's in black and white and yellow. And my sweater is a yellow, black and white striped bumblebee sweater.

• 27:46Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 27:46Mel Robbins?

  This looks like some art director.

• 27:49Speaker 02

  Yeah, it's perfectly curated, the way you did it.

• 27:51Mel Robbins?

  Curated, the fuck, this itself is a work of art.

• 27:54Speaker 02

  It is. The palette, the pose.

• 27:57Speaker 01

  Really?

• 27:58Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 27:58Speaker 01

  With the nude skimware too.

• 28:00Speaker 02

  Yeah. But I love that it's all about humor.

• 28:03Mel Robbins?

  Yes.

• 28:03Speaker 02

  It's not like, oh, we created this awesome moment together that was a, it was just fun through and through. And when you look at that, you think of Lisa, you think of laughing, right?

• 28:16Mel Robbins?

  I think of women and art. I think of poached salmon.

• 28:20Speaker 02

  Right.

• 28:20Mel Robbins?

  I think of my friend Robin who invited me to this.

• 28:23Speaker 02

  Yes.

• 28:24Mel Robbins?

  I think about shuffling across the harbor in the sea. Like I just like think of all of it.

• 28:31Speaker 02

  Right.

• 28:31Mel Robbins?

  And I also just laugh. And I will remember this moment for the rest of my life because of the humor.

• 28:39Speaker 02

  Oh, yeah.

• 28:39Mel Robbins?

  Right? Turning something embarrassing and somewhat painful into something hilarious and relatable shifted everything about it. And by the way, we will share the photo with you. If you're watching on YouTube, congratulations because you've already seen it. If you are listening to this, just look in the show notes and we will link to this photo. And it kind of brings me full circle to this idea of how do you develop a sense of humor? Because just like I had to like unsnap the hold that the body suit had.

• 29:10Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 29:10Mel Robbins?

  And it created so much freedom to me.

• 29:13Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 29:13Mel Robbins?

  When you unsnap the judgment and the seriousness that so many of us have.

• 29:19Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 29:21Mel Robbins?

  You're missing out on one of the greatest joys in life, which is learning how to laugh at yourself. Like it's one thing to not give a shit about what other people think. And for those of you interested, we did an incredible podcast about the art of not giving a shit.

• 29:32Speaker 02

  Mm hmm.

• 29:33Mel Robbins?

  Hugely popular. We'll link it to the show notes, but this is about something else. It's about allowing yourself the freedom to be human and learning how to laugh at yourself.

• 29:44Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 29:45Mel Robbins?

  And Amy, I want to bring you into this because you are a stand-up comic. You do improv. You actually perform on stages.

• 29:54Speaker 02

  Yeah, at an amateur level, but yeah, it is a skill. Mm hmm. Becoming someone who looks at the world in a funny way is not just something that you're born with. You can really get funnier and you can develop a sense of humor.

• 30:13Speaker 02

  Beyond anything that you think that you have right now. And I think it's worthwhile.

• 30:17Mel Robbins?

  Oh, I do too. Like, I think when you make fun of yourself, you allow people to bond with you over the shit that's relatable in life.

• 30:25Speaker 01

  Yeah, I'll do it.

• 30:26Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, yeah. If I had to give any advice about it, because I've always been so hard at myself, and learning how to laugh at yourself, not in like a condescending like, ooh, but more like, that's fucking funny.

• 30:37Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 30:37Mel Robbins?

  That's funny. And it allows other people in. And I think that's the thing that people miss.

• 30:43Speaker 02

  Yes. Well, that's the thing that I admire most about you. And I think that's the thing that stood out to me the most in this story, is that you don't keep it to yourself and just say, oh, gosh, um, what, this is really funny. I can't believe this is happening. You do not do things in a whisper. You know, you do them out loud and let everybody in. I can just imagine all the women at your table, and you're saying like, guys, I just, anybody else have a thong problem right now? Because I, you know, and then, and then people are not thinking about their own insecurities or judgments.

• 31:18Mel Robbins?

  Yeah.

• 31:19Speaker 02

  They're thinking about your stuff and laughing about it. To share laughter like that, especially with people you don't know or just getting to know, I mean, what a gift that is.

• 31:29Speaker 01

  And it goes like social media. Like, you posted it.

• 31:31Speaker 02

  Of course.

• 31:32Speaker 01

  Other people would be like, oh, God, I can only show the pretty, the pretty pictures where I'm all done up. No one's gonna know that I've got a mess of thong. I'm not gonna talk about it. And Mel's like, no, no, here's my art outfit with a wedgie.

• 31:41Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 31:42Speaker 01

  With it hanging out.

• 31:42Mel Robbins?

  Yes. And I also, that's also why I post the ridiculous photos of myself where I'm just, in real life, kinda hideous, because I laugh at myself.

• 31:53Speaker 01

  Yeah, it's funny.

• 31:54Mel Robbins?

  It's really funny. And, and here's the other thing that I just got, that the metaphor for not allowing yourself to laugh and not sharing that with other people, is your whole life becomes like you're wearing a bodysuit that's too small. It constricts you, it suffocates you, it cuts off your life force and your circulation. And that there's something available to you when you lighten up. And we did do a little bit of research very quickly. I will link to the studies, but just the things that I jotted down are really important. Like, first of all, people respect

• 32:35Mel Robbins?

  Leaders that are funny, more than people who aren't.

• 32:39Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 32:40Mel Robbins?

  And the research shows, we believe that somebody with a sense of humor, I'm not talking about an inappropriate one, an appropriate sense of humor. We believe they're confident, we believe they're more powerful, we immediately raise up their status, we think they're intelligent, and they tend to be somebody we like more because there is this like bond that gets created between somebody that cracks jokes, makes fun of themselves, makes fun of a situation that feels relatable and true. It's like letting you in on something personal.

• 33:20Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 33:21Mel Robbins?

  And here's another thing. When it comes to work, this is really interesting. 98% of executives, according to one study, said they would prefer an employee with a sense of humor.

• 33:32Speaker 02

  Wow.

• 33:32Mel Robbins?

  And 84% of those same leaders believe that people with a sense of humor do better work.

• 33:38Speaker 02

  Mm-hmm. Those are high numbers. High numbers, and I think it goes beyond that class clown thing, you know? It's funny is, is a power. It's a, it's a superpower that you can have. Yeah. It is, it creates a dynamic that two people or many people join in on that really changes your perspective of the world, which I think is fascinating, and I love it. I love how you could have just had this wedgie and felt really angry with yourself. And thrown the skims out in a trash can in the parking lot. But instead, we all get to laugh at it. You're laughing at the table with all the ladies. We're laughing about it now, and it's, and it's brightening my day,

• 34:22Speaker 02

  and it's making my mood a little bit better, and it's, you know, it's a gift. It really is a gift.

• 34:27Mel Robbins?

  Well, I think that's the invitation to you listening, is as you go through your day to day, something embarrassing or funny is probably gonna happen. Just notice it. And then notice whether or not you're laughing at yourself, or you're laughing at other people. It could be as something, like you know what happens to me all the time? I spill on myself all the time.

• 34:48Mel Robbins?

  All the time. And when I do, I don't change my shirt or my pants. I just make a joke of it. Why? Because it's funny.

• 34:56Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 34:57Mel Robbins?

  You know, we can all relate to it. And so there is an invitation here, whether it's a wardrobe failure, or it's something that you do at work today that's super embarrassing, or it's the fact that you're talking to your kid's teacher and all of a sudden you belch in the middle of the sentence, and then you both burst out laughing. Or what about the time that I farted at work? And I thought Jessie

• 35:18Speaker 02

  Such a great day.

• 35:19Mel Robbins?

  was going to lose her mind. She was laughing so hard. We had to stop down work for three minutes, you guys, because she could not get control of herself.

• 35:30Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 35:30Mel Robbins?

  And so you know what I did next? The second I felt one coming, I actually pushed it out because I knew if I did a second one, she would lose her goddamn mind, and she did. And so I just feel like, stop taking yourself so damn seriously.

• 35:45Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 35:46Mel Robbins?

  Learning to lighten up and loosen the grip and unsnap the life bodysuit you got on yourself and be a little human. It lets people in. It lets up the pressure on you. It makes you more relatable. It makes you seem smarter and more confident because you are. Because it takes a confident person, the ability to look at life and those dumbass situations that happen, and turn it into a joke, instead of something to ruminate about.

• 36:13Speaker 02

  Yes.

• 36:14Mel Robbins?

  All right, I'm off my soapbox now. Thank you. Welcome to my TED Talk.

• 36:21Speaker 02

  Yeah, it's great. And it lets more love in, which is what we're talking about all the time, you know? And if you feel like, oh, I don't have a great sense of humor, I can't make that funny.

• 36:31Mel Robbins?

  Yeah.

• 36:31Speaker 02

  You could still laugh at it. Laugh at somebody else's joke, you know, like, help somebody else kind of get through their day with a smile or a little bit of a laugh.

• 36:39Mel Robbins?

  Or your kids, or the people you mentor, or like, teaching your kids how to laugh at them. What a gift.

• 36:44Speaker 02

  Yes, absolutely. Oh, you spilled all the, the whole box of Cheerios.

• 36:48Mel Robbins?

  That's hilarious.

• 36:48Speaker 02

  And then you put the chocolate sauce on top of them, and now it's all over your, and you rolled in it. You guys are so funny. Yeah. Like, that's just a great thing.

• 36:58Mel Robbins?

  Amazing. You know what else is gonna be funny? The bloopers on this episode. Yeah. Epic. Alrighty. Yeah. In case nobody else tells you, I'm gonna tell you, I love you and I believe in you and your ability to laugh at yourself. You got this. We got this. Ladies and gentlemen, loosen the tie, take off the bra, pull off the bike shorts, unsnap the bodysuit, let it all hang out and laugh a little. Yeah. I love you.

• 37:39Mel Robbins?

  Here we go. And up. Here we go. Alright. My mic? Amy? Yeah? Well, you wanna know? Put Amy down. It's what my parents would say all the time. Just put her down. Oh, my God. Just, you know, don't let her feel good. I'm just kidding. Woo! Oh, I'm so glad you tuned in today because I'm rolling in here hot. I thought you were gonna say, "I'm rolling with my homies." Ah-ha! But no homie. What the hell is that sound?

• 38:07Mel Robbins?

  Oh, my God. Can you hear that, Andrea? That's a big piece of machinery. Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Sarah Blakely. No, that's not her name. Yeah. No, that's the famous actress Blakely? Blake Lively? Blake Lively. Who am I thinking of? Sarah Blakely. Sarah Blakely. Sarah Blakely. Yeah. Okay, I immediately had a panic that I was saying her name or... Yeah. Okay, let's go wash our hands.

• 38:29Mel Robbins?

  Bodysuits for everybody.

• 38:41Mel Robbins?

  Oh, and one more thing. And no, this is not a blooper. This is the legal language. You know what the lawyers write and what I need to read to you. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. I'm just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist and this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I'll see you in the next episode.