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Trying Mel Robbins’ Million Dollar Morning Routine—and Why You Should Too


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Raise your hand if you’ve ever been trapped in a toxic cycle with your alarm clock.


Let me start by saying this: I was never a morning person. My idea of a good morning used to involve snoozing my alarm at least three times, rushing to brush my teeth, and frantically throwing on something presentable to start my day. There was no order, no calm—just chaos. But that all started to change when I stumbled across Mel Robbins’ "Million Dollar Morning" routine.


If you’ve ever caught yourself scrolling through Instagram or watching one too many TikToks about the perfect morning routine, you know how overwhelming it can feel. Green juices, 5 a.m. meditations, journaling under moonlight—it’s a lot. But Mel’s routine? It felt do-able. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about showing up for yourself in simple, impactful ways.  It was realistic, attainable, and most importantly, rooted in psychology.


Mel’s philosophy? Mornings set the tone for the day, and you can use them to reclaim your focus, confidence, and energy. Naturally, I was intrigued. I decided to commit to it for a month to see if it could actually make a difference.


 

Spoiler: it didn’t just transform my mornings—it transformed my entire day.

Here’s the full breakdown of the Million Dollar Morning routine, how I tried each step (even the awkward ones), and what stuck.


Step 1: Getting Out of Bed Immediately


Let’s talk about the snooze button—a tool I thought was my best friend but turned out to be my worst enemy. Mel’s advice to get out of bed immediately without hitting snooze sounded impossible at first. I’d been snoozing since I got my first alarm clock in middle school.


The first morning, I tried Mel’s 5-second rule: when your alarm goes off, count down from five and physically get up before your brain can convince you otherwise. I honestly laughed out loud because my body was not ready. But I forced myself out of bed, groaning the whole way.


By the third day, it got easier. I noticed that by ditching the snooze button, I wasn’t just reclaiming time—I was starting my day with a small win. I didn’t realize how powerful that feeling could be. When I actually got up on the first try, I felt like I was ahead of the game instead of scrambling to catch up.



Step 2: Making My Bed—Yes, It Matters


Making my bed every morning felt like the least glamorous part of this routine. I’d seen this tip before in self-help books and Pinterest posts, but I never really got it. Why would a made bed matter when no one’s going to see it?


Turns out, it matters because I see it. When I started making my bed, something surprising happened—I began to feel more put together. Coming back to a neatly made bed at the end of the day became a small but satisfying reward. It was like saying, “Hey, you deserve this calm, cozy space.”

On days I skipped this step, my whole room felt messier, which weirdly affected my mindset. Now, it’s non-negotiable. Even if I’m rushing, I’ll take those 30 seconds to smooth the sheets and fluff the pillows. It’s the easiest self-esteem boost ever.



Step 3: High-Fiving Myself in the Mirror


Okay, I’ll admit it: I was skeptical about this one. High-fiving myself in the mirror? It sounded so cheesy. But Mel insisted it wasn’t just about the physical act—it was about reframing how you see yourself.

The first time I tried it, I couldn’t stop laughing. But once the awkwardness wore off, I felt… lighter. It was like a playful reminder not to take myself too seriously. Over time, it became a little ritual.


Now, I use that moment to hype myself up for the day. If I have a big project or meeting, I’ll look myself in the eye and say, “You’ve got this.” It might sound silly, but it works. I leave the bathroom feeling like I can handle whatever comes my way.



Step 4: Moving My Body


This step intimidated me at first because, let’s be real, I’m not exactly a morning workout person. But Mel emphasized that movement didn’t have to mean an hour-long gym session—it could be as simple as stretching, walking, or dancing.


So, I started small. One morning, I did a five-minute yoga flow on my living room floor. Another day, I went outside and walked around the block with a cup of coffee in hand. Some days, I’d blast music and dance while folding laundry (pro tip: Beyoncé makes an excellent workout partner).

What surprised me most was how much energy those few minutes of movement gave me. Even on groggy mornings, I felt sharper and more awake after getting my blood flowing. Now, I actually look forward to this part of the routine.



Step 5: Working on a Goal


Here’s where things got real. Mel recommends spending time on something meaningful—whether that’s journaling, brainstorming, or making progress toward a personal goal—before diving into emails and social media.


For me, this step was transformative. Instead of letting my mornings get hijacked by notifications, I used that quiet time to journal about my intentions for the day. On other mornings, I worked on personal projects, like brainstorming ideas for this blog or writing down affirmations.

What I loved about this step was how intentional it felt. Even if I only spent five minutes on my goals, it set a productive tone for the rest of the day.



 

What I Learned From This Routine


Trying the Million Dollar Morning routine wasn’t just about ticking boxes—it was about showing up for myself in small, intentional ways. Out of all the steps, this one was by far the hardest. My phone is basically glued to my hand, and the temptation to scroll Instagram first thing in the morning was real. But Mel’s advice to keep it out of reach was spot on—when I stayed off my phone, my mornings felt so much calmer.


To make it easier, I started charging my phone across the room and used an old-school alarm clock instead. I also put it on “Do Not Disturb” mode so I wouldn’t be tempted by notifications.


The days I stuck to this were night and day compared to the ones I didn’t. Without my phone, I felt present and focused. With it? I’d fall into the rabbit hole of emails and TikToks, losing precious time.

Some steps felt natural, like moving my body or making my bed. Others, like high-fiving myself or staying off my phone, took more effort. But every single one added value to my day.

The biggest takeaway? Mornings are about momentum. When you start your day with wins—no matter how small—you set the stage for success.


If you’ve been searching for a way to make mornings work for you, Mel Robbins’ Million Dollar Morning is worth a shot. It’s not about waking up at 5 a.m. or creating an Instagram-worthy routine—it’s about finding simple habits that make you feel like the best version of yourself.


 

Set that alarm, ditch the snooze button, and give it a try. Who knows? You might just discover your inner morning person (yes, even you).

Love,

Rae



Image Credits - Tati Alves


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