It's Never Too Late: Winnie the Pooh's First Step Toward Mental Health Warriorhood
- Bruce Schutter
- 6 days ago
- 4 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 with a second chance, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
And with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a new SELF-HELP approach designed to help anyone take charge of their emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life they really want!
In fact, I wasn’t even diagnosed until I was 40. That’s part of why I struggled for so long—but it’s also exactly why I understand what Pooh’s feeling. Because I’ve been there.
“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 on your Mental Health Warrior journey today!
Step 1: Choose Today
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 it doesn’t have to be. The perfect day is simply the day you’ve had enough of your old way not working. For me, that day came after 20 years of chaos. I didn’t wait for my life to give me time—I just decided I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing.”
Pooh paused. “So... I don’t have to wait until all the honey jars are lined up and my head feels calm?”
“Exactly. You just have to decide. That decision is power.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
“Well, I suppose I have had enough of pretending my problems will shrink themselves. Maybe today is the day... even if my paws are still sticky.”
Step 2: Take One Action Today
I continued, “Once you decide, you don’t have to fix everything at once. You take one step. 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 using a journal or taking a breath before I reach for a snack I don’t actually want?”
“Exactly! You test tools. See what works. And that first action? It’s like striking a match in the dark. Small, but powerful.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
“So I could try the ‘Warrior’ mnemonic tool after breakfast tomorrow, even if I still have ten other problems? And that’s progress?”
“Absolutely. You’ll start seeing results—not because your challenges disappear, but because you’re taking action.”
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’s just a smile—but it shines through.”
Pooh blinked. “Like a smile that’s not from honey?”
“Exactly. My family and friends saw it in me. Even when I felt like I was just getting started, they saw the shift. So talk about it. Let someone know you’ve made the decision. You don’t have to do it alone.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
“I could tell Piglet and Eeyore I’m trying a Warrior Tool. They’d probably cheer... quietly.”
“Trust me,” I said, “that support is gold!”
The Long Game: Why It’s Worth It
Pooh looked thoughtful. “But Bruce... isn’t this a lot of work?”
I nodded. “Yes. But it’s work that gives lifelong results. Don’t just focus on today’s effort—focus on the journey. You’ll have missteps, like I did in those first weeks. As honestly, I wasn’t qualified for normal life, let alone navigating my mental health.”
Pooh nodded. “You’re not the only one.”
“But each small success builds momentum. You’ll mess up. But you’ll also win. And those wins will fuel you for the long road.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
“So, if I drop the ball... or the honey pot... I just pick it back up and keep going?”
“Exactly. Because you’re not trying to be perfect. You’re trying to take charge. That’s Warrior mindset!”
If I Can Do It, You Can Too
I looked Pooh in the eye. “If I can do it—you can too. That’s not just a feel-good slogan. It’s 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. “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. “That’s all it takes.”
So, if you’re reading this and thinking it’s too late... it’s not! Maybe you’ve been struggling for years. Maybe you’ve been waiting for the right moment. But guess what? 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 truly want!
Bruce Schutter
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