The High 5 Habit: How to boost your self-worth through affirmations and handwriting
Imagine starting each morning the way you’d cheer on your best friend,with encouragement, belief, and intention.
That’s the simple yet revolutionary idea behind The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins.
In this powerful book, Robbins teaches us that giving yourself a high five in the mirror, combined with writing daily affirmations, can rewire your brain, reprogram your self-image, and radically increase confidence. It’s not just about positivity; it’s neuroscience, habit building, and emotional transformation.
Why the “High 5” works
According to Mel Robbins, the act of giving yourself a high five in the mirror activates the same neural pathways that respond to encouragement, victory, and support.
It’s a physical signal to your subconscious that says:
• “I’ve got my own back.”
• “I’m worth rooting for.”
• “I deserve to succeed.”
Instead of starting your day with self-criticism or doubt, you link your reflection to self-acceptance, support, and optimism. And your brain, over time, begins to believe it.
The power of morning affirmations
Robbins emphasizes the importance of talking to yourself kindly, especially in the first few moments of the day.
Examples of powerful morning affirmations:
• “I can handle anything that comes my way today.”
• “I am worthy of success and joy.”
• “I’m proud of who I’m becoming.”
When spoken right after the mirror high five, these affirmations become emotionally charged and deeply encoded. You’re not just saying them, you’re believing them.
Why handwriting your affirmations amplifies their power
While the physical gesture is powerful, Mel Robbins also recommends writing your affirmations and intentions.
Why? Because handwriting:
• Anchors your thoughts into tangible form.
• Engages more brain regions than typing.
• Increases focus, emotional engagement, and memory retention.
A simple 3-minute journaling ritual inspired by The High 5 Habit:
1. Write 3 positive affirmations about yourself.
2. Note 1 win or progress from yesterday, no matter how small.
3. Set 1 clear, uplifting intention for the day ahead.
This short but powerful practice aligns your mind, emotions, and energy with a stronger, more intentional version of yourself.
Why use a dedicated notebook?
A physical notebook turns your practice into a ritual. It becomes:
• A private space filled with high-energy thoughts.
• A consistent anchor in your morning routine.
• A written record of your growth and self-empowerment.
Each page is proof that your confidence is not fixed, it’s built, one high five and one sentence at a time.
Conclusion
In The High 5 Habit, Mel Robbins reminds us that confidence isn’t something we’re born with, it’s something we build.
Through a mirror gesture, intentional affirmations, and handwritten declarations, you recondition your subconscious and shape a more empowered identity.
So grab your notebook, give yourself a genuine high five, and write yourself into your strongest, most confident self, starting today.
