12 Days of a Mental Health Warrior Christmas: Song by Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat’s Crew

It was one week before Christmas, and I was sitting on my couch trying to convince my brain that wrapping gifts wasn’t a full-body workout. That’s when I heard a knock. Then another. Then a loud THUD — like someone attempted a dramatic entrance and misjudged the step.

I opened the door… and there they were.

😼 Marvin the "Mental Health Warrior" Cat — sunglasses on, Santa hat crooked, holding a clipboard like he owned the calendar.

🐶 Doug the "Depressed" Dog — dragging a giant fuzzy blanket and a mug of cocoa bigger than his head.

🦫 Percy the "PTSD" Platypus — scanning the perimeter like he expected elves with attitude problems.

🐜 Andy the "Anxious" Aardvark — clutching a list titled: “Holiday Disasters That Could Happen (Volume 3).”

🐿️ Samantha the "Stressed-Out" Squirrel — already tangled in Christmas lights.

My Warrior Crew had shown up at my house🎁

And I couldn’t help but smile. Marvin smirked and flicked his tail. “Bruce… we know the holidays can get loud, overwhelming, and sticky — emotionally and candy-cane-related. But you taught us something powerful. You showed us that mental health is what puts us back in charge.”

Doug nodded, blanket over his shoulders like a comfort-cape. “You built the Mental Health Warrior Program so people like us could manage the tough emotions and enjoy the good ones.”

“And thrive, not just survive,” Samantha added, trying to untangle herself, then shrugging and accepting the lights as a fashion statement.

Percy stepped forward, voice steady: “When the world gets chaotic — Warriors RESPOND, not react.”

Andy peeked up from his binder. “And when we embrace emotions… joy has room to show up too.”

Marvin raised his clipboard triumphantly. “So we made you something special — the 12 Days of a Mental Health Warrior Christmas!”

Before I Could Ask What that Meant… the Music Started

On the First Day of Warrior Christmas…

Marvin gave to me:

A Warrior Tool Before I Freak Out Completely 😼🎁

Mindset Rule 2: RESPOND Not React

One slow inhale… one clear thought…

and suddenly I’m not drop-kicking an inflatable snowman.

Christmas crisis… successfully avoided!

On the Second Day of Warrior Christmas…

Andy gave to me:

Two Lists Saving My Sanity 📝😬

One for what’s stressing me out…

and one for proof I’ve survived way worse (like last year’s family group photo).

Anxiety spiral… stopped and holiday embraced!

On the Third Day of Warrior Christmas…

Doug gave to me:

Three Cozy Minutes 🛋️🐶

Wrap up like a warm burrito of resilience.

Emotions still loud… but now they’re muffled b

burnout… paused and peace reclaimed!

On the Fourth Day of Warrior Christmas…

Samantha gave to me:

Four Tiny Wins 🎯🐿️

✔ Didn’t yell at the tape

✔ Drank water like a responsible adult

✔ Avoided comparing trees with the neighbors

✔ Smiled once on purpose

Momentum… activated and cheer unlocked! 😄 

On the Fifth Day of Warrior Christmas…

Percy gave to me:

Five Grounding Warrior Coins 🪙

Feel the coin… find your breath…

Plant your feet… unclench your jaw…

And quit Googling “how to teleport away from relatives.”

Coping mode… restored and confidence rising! ⚔️ 

On the Sixth Day of Warrior Christmas…

Marvin gave to me:

Six Feelings Welcomed ❤️💙💜

Joy, stress, excitement, panic, gratitude,

and “why is everyone here?

”All emotions valid — even the spicy ones.

Holiday madness… emotionally mastered and joy invited in! 🎄

On the Seventh Day of Warrior Christmas…

Andy gave to me:

Seven Things I Can Control 🔧

My breath, my pace, my expectations…

my focus, my boundaries, my bedtime

…and how much cookie dough I intend to eat (execution may vary).

Control… reclaimed and strength back on track! 💪

On the Eighth Day of Warrior Christmas…

Doug gave to me:

Eight Seconds of Nature🌲❄️

Step outside, breathe winter air, look at a tree…

pretend you’re hiding from social obligations.

Peace… found and presence renewed! 🌟

On the Ninth Day of Warrior Christmas…

Samantha gave to me:

Nine Glorious Boundaries 🚫🐿️

“No” is a complete sentence.

“No thank you” is the festive version.

Holiday chaos… blocked and boundaries honored! 🎄

On the Tenth Day of Warrior Christmas…

Percy gave to me:

Ten Warrior Words ⚔️

“I bend, but I don’t break.

I rise stronger than before!

”Repeat until confidence shows up fashionably late.

Self-belief… loading fast — Warrior fully powered! ⚡ 

On the Eleventh Day of Warrior Christmas…

Marvin gave to me:

Eleven Laugh-Break Moments 😹

Silly reels, cookie fails, awkward cat photos

— humor is mental armor wrapped in joy.

Anxiety volume… lowered and laughter leading the way! 😹✨

On the Twelfth Day of Warrior Christmas…

All five gave to me:

Twelve Steps Toward THRIVING 🎄✨

Small steps. Big strength.

Responding, not reacting

—and actually enjoying the good stuff this year.

Surviving → THRIVING — holiday joy fully activated! 🎄🔥 

Wrap Up

Marvin jumped onto the fireplace like he was about to deliver a TED Talk.

“Bruce — and every Warrior reading: Holidays aren’t a test. They’re a chance to enjoy the life you’ve fought so hard to build.”

Doug yawned but smiled. “Good and tough emotions show up together… but that means we’re living, not hiding.”

Andy added, “Responding with strength means joy gets a turn too.”

Samantha untangled one arm and raised a fist: “We deserve happiness — even messy happiness!”

Percy stood tall: “When things get overwhelming — breathe, ground, choose your next step. That is the Warrior way.”

Marvin put a paw on my shoulder. “We don’t just survive this season…We THRIVE. Together. Heart wide open — courage turned on.”

They all shouted: ⭐ Merry Warrior Christmas! ⭐

You are stronger than the holiday chaos… and today, joy belongs to you too!

Bruce Schutter

Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!