It’s Never Too Late: How Winnie the Pooh Starts His Mental Health Warrior Journey
- Bruce Schutter
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
It happened on an unusually sunny Tuesday in downtown Shippensburg, PA. I was heading toward the gazebo with a sugar-free snack and a few Warrior articles when I spotted him.
Winnie the Pooh.
He was slumped against a tree, staring dramatically at a small pile of sticky notes scattered at his feet.
“Pooh?” I asked. “You okay?”
He looked up with that familiar honey-dazed expression. “Oh, hello, Bruce. I think I’ve let my problems grow so big… and now I’m worried it’s too late to triumph over them.”
I sat down beside him. “I know it feels overwhelming,” I said. “But trust me — it’s never too late!”
Pooh blinked, thought for a moment, then sighed. “Well,” he said, “that’s a relief. I was afraid I’d missed my chance to become a Mental Health Warrior.”
The Warrior Story
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 — and 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’s never coming. The perfect day is simply the day you’ve had enough of your old way not working.”
“That’s what it was for me,” I continued. “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,” he said. “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. You don’t have to wait until all the honey jars are lined up or your head feels calm. You just have to decide. That decision to start — that 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,” he said. “Maybe today really is the day — even if my paws are still sticky.”
Then his expression softened into a small smile.
“Even if it’s messy,” Pooh added, “it’s my start. And that feels like 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?” he asked. “Or opening a book instead of reaching for a snack I don’t really want?”
I nodded. “Exactly. That first step can be as simple as reading something that helps you feel less alone — or gives you one idea to try.”
“That action?” I added. “It’s like striking a match in the dark — small, but powerful.”
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh’s ears perked up as 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.
“If I don’t break today,” Pooh said slowly, “then tomorrow starts on steadier ground.”
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? It 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 sometimes… it even encouraged them to take action too.”
“So talk about it,” I continued. “Let someone know you’ve made the decision. You don’t have to do this 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,” he said. “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 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 person takes the first step and before long, everyone’s finding their own way to rise.”
“That’s how we do it,” I added. “Together!”
Wrap Up
Pooh rested his paw on his sticky chin. “But Bruce… isn’t this a lot of work?”
I nodded. “Yes — it is. But it’s the kind of work that changes your life. You won’t be perfect. You’ll have missteps. I sure did. I started late, struggled hard and felt completely unqualified for normal life — let alone managing my mental health.”
Pooh chuckled. “Well… that sounds familiar.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “Small wins build momentum. You’ll drop the ball — or the honey pot — but you’ll also have victories. And those victories are what keep you moving forward.”
I looked him in the eye. “If I can do it, YOU can too! That’s not a slogan — it’s the truth. I stopped waiting and started acting. And that changed everything.”
I smiled and handed him a copy of I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior.
Pooh held it like a rare jar of honey. “Oh,” he said softly. “This feels like exactly 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
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!