It’s Never Too Late: Winnie the Pooh Takes His First Steps to Becoming a Mental Health Warrior
- Bruce Schutter
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
It happened on an unusually sunny Tuesday in the Hundred Acre Wood. I was heading toward the gazebo with a honey-free snack and a few Warrior mindset journals when I saw him: Winnie the Pooh, slumped against a tree, staring dramatically at a pile of sticky notes.
“Pooh?” I asked. “You okay?”
He looked up with that trademark honey-dazed expression. “Oh, hello, Bruce. I'm having a bit of a moment. I think I’ve let my problems grow so big that now they’re too big to fix. I’ve waited so long to deal with them... maybe it’s too late?”
Now, Pooh knows that for 20 years I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD — challenges that left me feeling so powerless, I tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge — so you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life you really want!
I wasn’t even diagnosed until I was 40. That’s part of why I struggled for so long — but also exactly why I understand what Pooh was feeling. Because I’ve been there. And it’s why I wrote my book, "I Triumphed over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior," to show that you can change your life at any time.
"I know it feels overwhelming," I told him. "But trust me — it’s NEVER too late!"
In fact, today is the perfect day. And here are three steps to help you start your own Mental Health Warrior journey — starting now.
Step 1: Choose Today
I leaned against the tree and said, “Pooh, here’s the thing — you don’t have to wait for the perfect day. In fact, it’ll never come. The perfect day is simply the day you’ve had enough of your old way not working. That’s what it was for me. After 20 years of chaos, I didn’t wait for my life to make time for me — I decided I couldn’t keep living the way I was.”
Pooh looked confused. “But today isn’t perfect. I spilled honey, my cupboard’s a mess, and I feel heavy — not just physically, but mentally.”
I smiled. “Exactly. It’s never going to be perfect. But you don’t have to wait until all the honey jars are lined up and your head feels calm. You just have to decide. That decision to start — is powerful.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh tilted his head thoughtfully, then glanced at his sticky paws. “Well… I suppose I have had enough of pretending my problems will shrink themselves. Maybe today really is the day — even if my paws are still sticky.”
Then his expression softened into a little smile. “Even if it’s messy, it’s my start. And that’s enough to help me move forward.”
Step 2: Take One Action Today
I continued, “Once you decide, you don’t have to fix everything at once. You just take one step. Open one book. Read one blog article. Try one tool. You start building a Warrior mindset, and in that moment — you’ll feel something incredible: pride.”
Pooh leaned forward, intrigued. “You mean, like reading one of your Warrior blog posts? Or opening a book instead of reaching for a snack I don’t really want?”
I nodded. “Exactly! That first step could be as simple as reading something that makes you feel less alone, or gives you an idea to try. That action? It’s like striking a match in the dark — small but powerful!”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh’s ears perked up, and he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “So I could read about that Warrior Creed you talk about — Bend Not Break!”
“Yes!” I said. “That’s one of the first tools I recommend. You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to stay rigid. You just have to stay standing — bend when life pushes, but don’t break.”
Pooh smiled faintly, the weight in his eyes lifting just a little. “Then tomorrow, I’ll strike my little match — even if the room’s still dark. I’ll open a book, read the Warrior Creed… and remember to bend, not break.”
Step 3: Let Others See the Shift
"Here’s the cool part," I added. "People notice when you take that first step. Your outlook shifts. Your energy changes. Maybe it starts with just a smile — but it’s more than that. They see you taking action. They see you trying. And that kind of effort shines through."
Pooh blinked. "Like… a smile that’s not from honey?"
I grinned. "Exactly. My family and friends noticed it in me — even when I felt like I was just getting started. They didn’t just see me smiling; they saw me showing up for myself. They saw me choosing tools, taking steps, and refusing to give up. And you know what? Sometimes it even encouraged them to take action too."
"So talk about it. Let someone know you’ve made the decision. You don’t have to do it alone. Together, we can rise above any challenge."
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh’s ears twitched as a small, thoughtful smile spread across his face. "I could tell Piglet and Eeyore I’m trying a Warrior Tool. They’d probably cheer… quietly. Very quietly. Piglet might clap his little paws and say, ‘Oh d-d-dear, that’s brave!’ And Eeyore would probably just mumble, ‘Well… good for you, I guess,’ but… deep down, I know he’d be proud too."
I chuckled. "Exactly, Pooh. That’s how it starts — one of you takes the first step, and before long, everyone’s finding their own way to rise. That’s how we do it: together."
The Long Game: Why It’s Worth It
Pooh looked thoughtful, his paw resting on his sticky chin. “But Bruce… isn’t this a lot of work?”
I nodded. “Yes. It is work — but it’s work that gives you lifelong results. The key is not to just focus on today’s effort, but to see it as a journey. You’ll have missteps — I sure did, especially in those first weeks. Honestly, I wasn’t qualified for normal life back then, let alone managing my mental health.”
Pooh chuckled softly. “You’re not the only one.”
I smiled. “Exactly. And that’s okay. Each small success builds momentum. You’ll mess up. You’ll drop the ball — or the honey pot — but you’ll also have wins. And those wins will fuel you to keep going. That’s what makes it worth it.”
Pooh nodded slowly, his eyes a little brighter. “So… if I drop the honey pot… I just pick it back up and keep walking?”
“Exactly,” I said. “Because this isn’t about being perfect — it’s about taking charge! That’s the Warrior mindset.”
Pooh sat up straighter and gave a faint, determined smile. “Well then… I suppose I’ll start walking this long road. Even if I stop for a snack or two along the way.”
Wrap Up
I looked Pooh in the eye. “If I can do it — YOU CAN TOO! That’s not just a feel-good slogan. It’s the truth. I was buried in my own wreckage — diagnosed late, barely functioning, hopeless. But I made one choice: to stop waiting and start acting. And that changed everything.”
Pooh stood up slowly, brushing crumbs off his fur. “Okay… then I’m going to start my Mental Health Warrior journey today! Maybe I’ll mess up. Maybe I’ll have a sticky relapse. But… I’ll also have a start.”
I grinned and reached into my bag. “That’s all it takes,” I said, handing him a copy of my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.
Pooh held it carefully, as though it were a rare jar of honey. “Oh, Bruce… this is just what I needed.”
So, if you’re reading this and thinking it’s too late… it’s not!
Make today the day you say, “Enough. ”I’m becoming a Mental Health Warrior — and together, we’ll triumph over our challenges and build the life we really want!
Bruce Schutter
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