Thrive in the Chaos: How Bruce and Lee Schutter Use Euphoria of Today to Stop Doom Scrolling
- Bruce Schutter
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Some days it feels like the whole world wakes up and chooses chaos before you even finish your first cup of coffee (or in my case, diet soda).
You pick up your phone for what is supposed to be a quick check of the weather, and five minutes later you are knee-deep in headlines about wars, job layoffs, financial uncertainty, political drama, social media panic, and twelve different experts all telling you that everything is either falling apart or about to fall apart by noon.
Before you know it, your brain is doing that special little trick called doom scrolling, where every headline feels like another brick getting dropped onto your chest.
Bruce and Lee Schutter know that feeling all too well.
We know what it is like to get overwhelmed, mentally drained and pulled into that swirling mess of “what now?” thinking. The noise of world events can get so loud that it starts to feel like there is no escape. It can stir up stress, poke at anxiety and leave you feeling like your peace of mind got mugged by your phone.
So what can a Mental Health Warrior do?
Our answer is to turn to the approach found in my book, Euphoria of Today.
At its core, Euphoria of Today is the practice of mindfulness of today. Simply put, it means being fully present in what we are doing right now. That helps us stay centered, grounded and in charge, so outside events do not get to hijack our mental health and send us spiraling.
The world may still be loud, but we do not have to let that noise run the show.
The Warrior Answer When Life Gets Loud
For those who are new to the Mental Health Warrior Program, let me give you the quick version.
I created the program out of my own 20-year battle with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD — struggles shaped in part by my time as an EMT during high school and college. Those challenges left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in that darkness, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
I also realized that mental health does not improve just because we hope it will. We need practical action. We need tools. We need a new approach.
And that is what the Mental Health Warrior Program is all about — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge.
Euphoria of Today is one of the clearest examples of that idea. The book helps us move past the past, let go of fear about the future and truly be present in today. That mindset is a powerful way to stay centered when life gets loud and tries to put our challenges in charge instead of us.
Because here is the truth: if all our energy gets dragged into the world’s chaos, then we stop showing up for our own life.
So we want to share three ways we use Euphoria of Today to stay centered when the world starts acting like it drank six espressos and discovered cable news.
Example 1: Lock In and Tune Out
One of the best ways we use Euphoria of Today is by staying focused on our work and interests instead of letting the news steal our attention.
That sounds simple, but let’s be honest — it is not always easy.
The world has a way of barging into your day like an uninvited guest who kicks open the door and yells, “Have you heard the latest disaster?” Suddenly, you are expected to care deeply about seventeen breaking stories before breakfast — and none of them are helping you finish your work, write your book or make your lunch.
So Bruce and Lee intentionally lock in.
That means I focus on the Mental Health Warrior Program, writing, creating tools and working on projects that help people. Lee focuses on her work with Marriott and on personal interests that keep her engaged and present. When we do that, we are not ignoring life. We are choosing to be fully present in the life right in front of us.
There is something powerful about finishing a task, making progress on something meaningful or creating something with your own hands. It reminds you that your focus belongs to you — not to the headline circus.
Your Turn:
Pick one thing today that deserves your full attention. It could be your work, a creative project, cooking, reading or organizing one room in your house that has started looking like a storage unit with attitude.
Then give that activity your full focus for a set amount of time. No news alerts. No scrolling. No checking “just one thing” that turns into 27 minutes of panic.
B
e present in what you are doing. Let yourself feel proud that you are engaging in your own life instead of being dragged through someone else’s chaos.
Example 2: Sandbags, Sunshine and Surprise Friendships
The second way we use Euphoria of Today is by getting outside and moving our bodies.
For Bruce and Lee, that often means doing sandbag workouts outdoors. The exercise itself helps. Moving your body has a way of shaking loose some of the mental junk that piles up from stress, overload and too much time stuck in your own head.
But there is more to it than that.
A big part of what keeps us centered is the setting and the connection.
We spend time outside and often interact with students and faculty on the Shippensburg University campus. That mix of movement, fresh air, sunshine and human connection is a powerful reset. It reminds us what is actually important in life.
The world may still be yelling, but being outside offers a quieter reminder: life is here, right in front of us.
Your Turn:
Take some time today to go outside and move.
You do not need a heroic workout. A walk counts. Stretching counts. Carrying a sandbag counts. Sitting on a bench in the sunshine after your workout and talking with someone counts too.
Let the outdoors interrupt the mental noise. Let movement bring you back into your body. Let connection remind you what truly matters in life. Together, they help you tune out the chaos and bring more happiness to your day.
Example 3: Warrior Permission for Joy
This last one is funny, but it really works.
At the end of the day, Bruce and Lee make time for fun — TV shows, games and light moments that help us unwind. Sometimes that means watching favorite shows together.
Sometimes it means playing games on our iPads. Sometimes it just means laughing, relaxing and ending the day with something light instead of one final panic session with the news.
Now, I know some people hear that and immediately act like they have uncovered a terrible moral failing.
“You mean you sat down and watched a show? On purpose? And enjoyed it?”
Yes. We did. Please alert the authorities.
Here is the point: we work hard at being Mental Health Warriors so we can triumph over our challenges and enjoy life. That includes doing things that are not productive in the traditional sense. Being fully present in today also means being fully present for joy, rest and reward.
Your Turn:
Give yourself permission to enjoy something at the end of the day.
Watch a funny show. Play a game. Read something light. Sit with a family member and enjoy a simple moment. Choose something that helps you unwind and be present.
Do not treat joy like it has to earn your approval. Enjoyment comes from being fully present in today — and it is part of the reward of your Mental Health Warrior journey.
Wrap Up
When the world gets loud, you can still take action. That is the power of Euphoria of Today.
You do not have to let wars, layoffs, financial uncertainty and the nonstop noise of current events drag you into a spiral every time you pick up your phone. You can take action each day by being fully present in your work, your movement, your relationships and your enjoyment of life.
These three examples are just the beginning. There is a lot more power in this approach.
So if you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and pulled into the loudness of the world, take some time today to begin your Warrior journey with Euphoria of Today.
Be here. Be present. Be in charge. That is where the noise of the world lessens and greater happiness begins!
Bruce Schutter ⚔️
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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