In this article, Vox delves into Mel Robbins’s meteoric rise as a self-help sensation, spotlighting her viral "let them" theory—a pithy piece of advice that encourages people to relinquish control over others’ choices in order to alleviate personal stress. Robbins, a former lawyer turned motivational powerhouse, built her brand on simple yet resonant ideas like her famed five-second rule and the mantra “let them,” which urges you to let your teenager dye their hair, let your spouse wear what they want, and simply stop obsessing over others’ opinions. While her down-to-earth style and relatable approach have earned her millions of followers on TikTok and social media, critics argue that her advice veers into the realm of generic self-help, and some even accuse her of capitalizing on ideas that others, like a viral Substack poet, had previously advanced. As she curates and repackages life wisdom for an audience of high-achieving, often suburban women, Robbins’s work is both celebrated for its accessibility and critiqued as emblematic of the never-pausing hustle culture.

Key Points:

• The "Let Them" Theory: Robbins’s signature advice is to simply "let them"—a call to allow others to make their own choices, whether it's a teenager experimenting with hair dye or a spouse choosing a questionable outfit.
• Origin Story and the Five-Second Rule: At 41, overwhelmed by life challenges including debt and unemployment, Robbins devised her five-second rule—"Using 5-4-3-2-1, I pushed through the excuses, the anxiety, the overwhelm, and the fear"—which helped kickstart her journey back to success.
• Multifaceted Career: After a stint as a criminal defense attorney and legal analyst, Robbins transformed her life crisis into a robust career in motivational speaking, writing, and podcasting.
• Popularity on Social Media: With millions of followers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, her concise, relatable tips have resonated with a vast audience, earning endorsements from influencers and even Oprah.
• Criticism and Controversy: Critics argue that Robbins’s advice is overly simplistic and profit-driven, and plagiarism claims have emerged regarding her “let them” catchphrase that echo similar ideas from a 2022 viral poem.
• Target Audience and Cultural Impact: While her messages empower high-achieving, corporate-minded women, some commentators liken her approach to perpetuating the relentless, self-optimizing culture of modern society.

This blend of personal resilience, accessible wisdom, and recurrent themes in self-help makes Robbins both a beloved guide for many—and a lightning rod for critics in the crowded motivational landscape.
Link to Article