Podcast Summary

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Host: Mel Robbins
Episode: Try This Today: 6 Small Ways to Have More Fun Even When Life Feels Hard
Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

Mel Robbins explores the current “fun deficit” facing so many of us—why life feels less playful, spontaneous, and light these days—and delivers six simple, research-backed ways anyone can bring more fun, laughter, and silliness into their everyday life, even during tough times. She weaves personal stories, studies on joy and laughter, and actionable tools that will recharge your energy and help you reclaim that spark of unapologetic joy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Life Isn't Fun Anymore

• Mel’s Diagnosis: Burnout, exhaustion, and the pressure to appear curated/perfect have made people less spontaneous and more disconnected—even in social settings.
• Social Media’s Role: Many prefer to “portray a certain look” instead of having real fun and being present.
• Global Experience: Mel reads a post (from Barry Rogers, The Hindu) describing a worldwide loss of silly, unfiltered, "laugh-till-your-stomach-hurts" fun.

  "It's like someone turned the volume down on the entire human race...We've somehow swapped personality for polish." (Mel reading Barry Rogers’ post, 04:55)

2. Fun as a Necessity, Not a Luxury

• Fun is essential for mental health, happiness, resilience, and even physical health—not frivolous.
• Micro-moments of fun and laughter help mitigate burnout and depression.
• Research: Studies (e.g., National Cancer Institute, Dr. Judith Joseph) show laughter lowers stress, boosts the immune system, and daily moments of joy prevent burnout.

3. The Ingredients of Fun (from “The Power of Fun” by Catherine Price)

• Playfulness: Don’t take life—or yourself—too seriously.

  "My daughter Kendall says, 'Mom, it's not that deep, okay?'" (Mel Robbins, 24:00)

• Connection: Fun is amplifed when shared, even for introverts.
• Flow: Being fully immersed in the moment—your worries melt away.

4. The Barriers to Fun, and How to Get Past Them

• Feeling “cringy” or fearing being judged undermines our freedom to have fun.
• Social norms, adulthood, and perfectionism ("performing the best LinkedIn version of yourself"), and age stereotypes foster self-consciousness.

Six Small Ways to Have More Fun (Action Steps)

1. Wear the Pink Glasses: Make One Small Fun Change

Timestamp: 28:10

• Do something slightly out of character or playful—wear quirky glasses, play your favorite upbeat song while doing chores, or put on funny socks.

  "Fun doesn’t have to be some big production. Just putting on glasses that are different can be fun." (Mel Robbins, 29:50)

• Even doing dishes can be joyful with music.
• Small daily tweaks inject micro-moments of joy and start a “fun snowball effect.”

2. Say Yes to Fun

Timestamp: 38:36

• Stop reflexively saying “no” to invitations or new experiences because of fear, tiredness, or perfectionism.
• Adopt a “do it for the plot” mentality—see yourself as the main character in your own story. Even if it’s awkward, it gives you a good story for later.

  "Sometimes the most fun experiences are the ones you didn’t even want to do in the first place." (Mel Robbins, 41:30)

3. Be Bad at It

Timestamp: 46:15

• Reject the pressure to be perfect. Instead, fully throw yourself into activities, regardless of skill level.
• Being bad at something is liberating and hilarious.

  "It’s fun to be bad, because there’s no pressure." (Mel Robbins, 48:01)

• Example: Mel was terrible at golf in a themed tournament but had a blast dressing up and trying.

4. Be the Driver of the Fun Bus

Timestamp: 51:10

• Don’t wait for someone else to start the fun—take the initiative.
• Bring a game to a gathering, start a silly conversation, be the first on the dance floor.
• Assign yourself the role of “fun-bringer” for the day—pretend it’s your job.

  "Why should you wait for the fun friend to get things going? Be the fun friend!" (Mel Robbins, 54:51)

5. Let Them: Let Go of Needing Approval

Timestamp: 59:05

• Overcome fear of judgment—let others think what they want while you enjoy yourself.

  "Let them. Let grumpy people be annoyed. You don’t care—you’re having fun." (Mel Robbins, 01:00:41)

• Most people secretly admire and are drawn to those who are unapologetically themselves.

6. Stop Saying ‘I’m Too Old’

Timestamp: 01:05:23

• You're never too old (or tired, or "not the type") to be playful, silly, or try something new.
• Mel shares how one producer had a birthday gymnastics party at age 30—embracing childlike adventure is always available to adults.

  "You’re never going to be younger than you are right now. And you want to know the best day to start having more fun? It’s today." (Mel Robbins, 01:09:15)

• Paint a wall a bright color, host themed parties, sing badly at karaoke—do things “just because they’re fun.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the global state of fun:

  "People are not fun anymore. Not in that wild, chaotic, laugh-till-your-stomach-hurts way."
  – Mel quoting Barry Rogers (04:51)

• On laughter as medicine:

  "Regular laughter strengthens your immune system by lowering stress hormones in your body."
  – Mel Robbins (18:15)

• On saying yes to new things:

  "Do it for the plot. Even if speed dating isn’t fun, the story and the laughing sure is."
  – Mel Robbins (44:00)

• On being bad at something:

  "It’s okay to make a joke and nobody really laughs. That’s how you learn to tell better ones."
  – Mel Robbins (49:10)

• On leading the fun:

  "You be the driver of the fun bus. You sit in the driver’s seat, you drive the fun for yourself and for everyone else around you."
  – Mel Robbins (52:02)

• On letting go of being judged:

  "Would you rather be the boring person obsessed with making sure nobody thinks you’re weird, or the fun person that everybody, by the way, wants to be around?"
  – Mel Robbins (01:01:10)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|------------| | The Fun Deficit & Why It Matters | 00:00-20:00| | Ingredients of Fun | 20:01-25:00| | Habit 1: Wear the Pink Glasses | 28:10 | | Habit 2: Say Yes to Fun | 38:36 | | Habit 3: Be Bad At It | 46:15 | | Habit 4: Be the Driver of the Fun Bus | 51:10 | | Habit 5: Let Them (Give Up Approval) | 59:05 | | Habit 6: Stop Saying You’re Too Old | 01:05:23 | | Recap & Call to Action | 01:11:15 |

Episode Takeaways

• Life doesn’t have to be so serious, and neither do you—fun and silliness are critical to your well-being, regardless of what’s happening in the world.
• Bringing back fun is about daily, intentional micro-moments—tiny risks of playfulness, connection, and “flow.”
• Don’t wait for permission, invitations, or a perfect moment—be the spark, even if it feels awkward at first.
• At any age, “just because it’s fun” is a good enough reason to try something new, lighten up your routine, or act a little silly.
• As Mel declares:

  "A better life is a life that is full of fun." (01:12:04)

Final Words (Mel’s Voice and Tone)

Warm, encouraging, and playful. Mel blends her own vulnerability and laughter with science-backed urgency, challenging listeners to reclaim their joy right now.

"You’re never going to be younger than you are right now...I want you to have a bright, loud, lively, silly, playful, joyful, beautiful life." (01:10:35)

For Those Who Haven’t Listened

If you feel weary, disconnected, or stuck in routine, this episode will validate your feelings and unlock a set of simple, instantly doable habits—not to change your whole life overnight, but to bring a spark of fun and energy back into everyday moments.

Whether you try one habit or all six, Mel’s challenge is clear: It’s time to let yourself have more fun, starting today.