Mindset Rule 10 — Have Fun: How Mental Health Warriors, Bruce & Lee Schutter, Make Room for Joy
- Bruce Schutter
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Saturday mornings aren’t usually known for deep philosophical breakthroughs. They’re known for coffee (or diet sodas), complaining about the weather, and debating whether sweatpants count as “getting dressed.”
But last Saturday, Lee and I grabbed our sandbags and headed to our favorite spot — the campus of Shippensburg University.
Now, it’s still winter break. The campus was quiet. And yes, winter did show up — temperatures in the twenties, because Pennsylvania likes to keep us humble. One day it’s 50, the next it’s “why did I leave the house?”
But as we walked toward the field house, we realized something was different. There was a high school wrestling match going on. Parents. Student athletes. Coaches. Energy. Noise.
And suddenly, what was supposed to be a simple workout turned into something a lot bigger — and a lot more fun.
People started asking questions.
“What is that thing?”
“Is that harder than it looks?”
“Why are you smiling while carrying that?” (That last one really threw them.)
We talked with EVERYONE. We laughed. We explained how sandbag workouts build both physical strength and mental resilience in one fell swoop. We cheered wrestlers we didn’t even know. We froze a little. We warmed up a lot.
And without planning it, we realized: We were living Mindset Rule 10: Have Fun!
The Warrior Story
The Mental Health Warrior Program didn’t come from a motivational poster or a perfect morning routine. It came from pain.
I created the program after a 20-year battle with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD — a battle that left me feeling so powerless that 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 truth, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge.
And that includes learning how to enjoy life again.
That realization became a core part of my book, I Triumphed over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior — where Mindset Rules aren’t about restriction or perfection, but about giving Warriors practical tools to stay centered, take action and reclaim joy even in the middle of life’s chaos.
Power of the Mindset Rules
When people hear “Mindset Rule,” they sometimes picture rigid guidelines, whistles and someone yelling, “You’re doing it wrong!”
That’s not what these are.
The Mindset Rules — introduced in my book I Triumphed over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior and fully explained in 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior — are mental health tools, not commandments.
They’re practical ways to stay centered when life gets loud, chaotic, or overwhelming — and to help you stay in control of the day instead of reacting to it.
Mindset Rule 10 is simple, but powerful: Have Fun!
Not “earn fun.” Not “fun once everything is perfect.” Not “fun after you fix yourself.”
Just… have fun. Because joy isn’t a reward — it’s fuel.
You don’t need a campus, a wrestling match, or sandbags to apply this rule. You just need intention.
Here are three Warrior-approved ways to use Mindset Rule 10 this weekend — or any time you need to reset, recharge and celebrate your progress.
Idea 1: Take Movement Somewhere Unexpected
That Saturday, Lee and I didn’t overthink the workout. We grabbed our sandbags and went somewhere we enjoy being — the Shippensburg University campus. It wasn’t about reps or programs. It was about changing the environment. The unexpected bonus? A high school wrestling meet in the field house.
What started as a simple workout turned into conversations, laughter, cheering for strangers and feeling connected to people again. The movement happened — but so did the joy.
Your Turn:
Take movement out of autopilot. Instead of the same routine, move your body somewhere different:
a park
a campus
even a new neighborhood
You don’t need intensity — you need novelty. Changing the setting wakes up your brain, lowers stress and makes movement feel like something you want to do instead of something you have to do.
Idea 2: Let Fun Be the Goal (Not the Numbers)
We didn’t track time. We didn’t count reps. We didn’t rush through the workout. We talked. We laughed.
We explained sandbag training to curious onlookers. We froze a little, warmed up a lot and genuinely enjoyed ourselves. And here’s the funny part — we still got a great workout. When fun became the goal, consistency stopped feeling like work and started feeling natural.
Your Turn:
For one day, drop the metrics. Don’t ask:
How many calories did I burn?
Was it intense enough?
Did I do enough?
Ask:
Did I enjoy this?
Did I feel lighter afterward?
Would I do this again?
Fun isn’t lazy — it’s strategic. Enjoyment reduces burnout and keeps you coming back.
Idea 3: Celebrate Showing Up (Not Finishing)
We didn’t plan to inspire anyone that day. We didn’t plan to connect with athletes, parents, or coaches.
But by simply showing up — sandbags in hand, open to the moment — the day became something meaningful. We celebrated being present, being active, and being part of the energy around us. That celebration wasn’t loud or dramatic — it was quiet satisfaction.
Your Turn:
Stop waiting for a finish line to celebrate.
Celebrate:
getting outside
moving your body
choosing today instead of “someday”
Progress isn’t perfection. Progress is participation. And Warriors celebrate participation — because that’s how momentum is built.
Wrap Up
Mindset Rule 10: Have Fun isn’t about ignoring reality. It’s about refusing to let challenges steal your joy.
That Saturday at Shippensburg wasn’t planned. It wasn’t perfect. It was cold. And it turned into one of the most enjoyable weekends moments we’ve had in a while. Because we chose fun.
You can find Mindset Rule 10 and the full Warrior blueprint in I Triumphed over Bipolar, Alcoholism and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior and dive deeper into all the Warrior tools in 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained, try this today:
Go outside
Move your body
Let yourself enjoy it
Because you don’t need permission to feel joy. You’re a Warrior. You’re in charge. And sometimes, the strongest move you can make is to have fun and celebrate your progress!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!