Get Over the Gloom: Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat Declares War on Doomscrolling
Bruce Schutter- May 8
- 5 min read
It started like most modern breakdowns do: too much news, not enough diet soda. LOL!
I was slumped on my couch, staring at my phone like it owed me money. Every headline felt heavier than the last—economic uncertainty, wild weather, political tension, and some very aggressive squirrels invading picnic tables in Europe. (Okay, that one was actually kind of funny.)
Enter Marvin. But not just a cat—Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat.
He’s been with me through the darkest chapters of my life. He knows my story well: 20 years battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. He saw the dark day when I felt so powerless that I tried to end my life. But then I realized something life changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
From my journey, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—new SELF-HELP approach, designed to help everyone take charge of their emotions, overcome challenges and build the life you really want!
Marvin has struggled with his own challenges, similar to mine, and he became a Mental Health Warrior. Now, he freely provides warrior advice to everyone and today he was focused on helping me thru a tough day.
“Bruce,” he purred, “we need to talk.” “About what?” I asked, already bracing myself.
“You’re doing that thing again—sinking into the sea of despair like it’s a hot tub.” He narrowed his eyes. “Time to revisit your book “53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior” and Mindset Rule 10: Have Fun.”
I blinked. “Fun? Have you seen the news?”
“Yes,” Marvin said, licking a paw. “It’s trash. But you? You’re a warrior. And fun isn’t optional—it’s armor!”
Power of Mindset Rule 10
"Mindset Rules" aren’t strict regulations—they’re reminders of certain truths in life. Each one helps you keep your emotions centered and stay in control of your day. Think of them as powerful tools in your Mental Health Warrior arsenal—designed to help you triumph over whatever challenges life throws your way.
These rules offer a proactive approach for managing stress, but they’re just as valuable for helping you respond to unexpected chaos so you can move forward instead of getting stuck.
Now, Marvin’s words rang in my ears: “Fun isn’t optional—it’s armor.”
His point was simple: Outside chaos doesn’t get to run the show. You do!
And the best way to take your power back? Remind yourself why you’re doing the work in the first place. We don’t put in all this emotional effort just to survive—we do it so we can enjoy life.
“Fun reminds your nervous system you’re alive,” Marvin said, leaping onto the coffee table. “Not just surviving—but thriving. So let’s activate the fun mechanism, shall we?”
Then, with his usual smug flair, he laid out three ways to wield fun—aka Mindset Rule 10—like a weapon against the world’s current nonsense.
Example 1: “Warrior Whimsy”
“First,” Marvin said, stretching like a cat about to deliver life-changing wisdom, “you need to inject your day with ridiculous joy. I’m talking warrior whimsy. Do something just for the fun of it. No purpose. No productivity. Just because it feels good!”
He paced like a tiny general rallying troops. “You humans act like everything needs to be justified with a goal. But joy doesn’t need permission—it just needs a moment.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Like what? Knit myself a hat shaped like a taco?”
“Interesting idea—but how about this: Dance like an idiot in your kitchen. Rewatch a cartoon from your childhood. Go outside and shout compliments at clouds. Chase a balloon. Make joy undeniable. Remind yourself—life isn’t just a list of problems to solve. It’s also made of moments to enjoy. Even the weird ones!”
Our Turn:
I nodded slowly. “Okay… I’ll grab my Bluetooth speaker, blast some ‘80s music, and soak up the summer sun on the porch.
Bonus points if I dance in my flip-flops while pretending I’m in a music video.”
Marvin blinked approvingly. “Respect.”
Example 2: “Reclaim the Meme”
“Second,” Marvin said, curling into a smug little loaf, “reclaim your sense of humor. Scroll for laughs, not dread. Hunt for memes like a predator stalking its prey. Share one that actually makes you snort.”
He paused dramatically. “And don’t fake laugh. I want actual-snort-through-your-nose kind of joy.”
I squinted. “So… you’re telling me to doomscroll—but ironically?”
“Exactly,” Marvin nodded. “You already have the scrolling reflex. Just redirect it. Most of your stress lives in your thought loops. Laughter breaks the loop. Humor isn’t frivolous—it’s tactical neuroscience in a party hat.”
He flicked his tail. “Humor is how you reclaim control in a world that thrives on chaos. You don’t deny the problems—but you don’t hand them your joy on a silver platter either.
Our Turn:
I thought for a moment. “Alright, I’ll create a group chat called ‘Emergency Laughs Only.’ No politics. No complaints. Just memes and pet photos. Maybe a few bad jokes thrown in.”
Marvin stretched, clearly satisfied. “That’s the spirit. I expect daily cat memes. Royal ones, preferably.”
Example 3: “Play is Not Just for Puppies”
“Third,” Marvin said, sitting upright with his ‘serious guru’ face, “play. Yes, play. When’s the last time you did something just because it was fun—with no outcome, no spreadsheet, and no achievement badge?”
I frowned. “Uhh... define ‘fun’? I reorganized my spice rack yesterday.”
Marvin squinted like he might disown me. “That’s not play. That’s kitchen micro-anxiety. I mean real play. A game. A hobby. A Lego spaceship. Something where success is measured in giggles, not goals.”
He hopped down from the couch and flicked his tail for emphasis. “Play resets your system. It pulls you out of crisis mode and back into curiosity. It tells your brain, ‘Hey—we’re safe enough to be silly.’ That’s not childish. That’s emotional strength.”
Our Turn:
I sighed. “Alright, alright. I’ll break out the Nerf guns. Haven’t used them since the epic Thanksgiving ambush of 2021. Might even hide behind the couch for old time’s sake.”
Marvin grinned—the kind of smug satisfaction only cats are allowed to express. “Now that’s the Mental Health Warrior spirit.”
Wrap Up
As Marvin settled into a nap (mid-lecture, no less), I felt the weight on my chest lighten just a bit. Not because the world magically got better—but because I remembered who’s in charge of my inner world—ME!
And I borrowed Marvin’s copy of my book, 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior. Just to remind myself of this truth: Mindset Rule 10—Have Fun—isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about returning to it.
We don’t become Mental Health Warriors to stress more efficiently. We do it so we can live more fully. Laugh more. Dance more. Build more Lego spaceships!
As I stood up to grab my speaker, Marvin cracked open one eye. “Remember, Bruce—fun isn’t weakness. It’s how you recharge your power!”
So next time you are struggling with the chaos of current events, use Mindset Rule 10 and have some fun in your day. Enjoy every minute and let it remind you of the amazing new life you are building each day as a Mental Health Warrior
Bruce Schutter
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