Simplify, Smile & Thrive: How the Minions Master the “One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior”
- Bruce Schutter
- Dec 16
- 5 min read
Yesterday I stopped by the park. But just as I opened my car door, a sudden commotion erupted from the vehicle next to me. Before I could react, the door burst open — and out poured a dozen Minions. Yes, Minions. The yellow, goggle-wearing, banana-loving agents of pure chaos.
At first, they seemed locked in a heated debate — wild gestures, frantic chattering, exaggerated expressions. Clearly, they were struggling with something.
Then the lead Minion — the one with the tallest goggle (so I assumed he was in charge) — pointed dramatically at my book.
“Hey, Bruce! We’re all struggling with our emotions and we’ve lost focus. Will that book help us?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Yes.”
The Minions gasped in unison, eyes wide with curiosity. Then, as if on cue, they all shouted:
“Tell us more about the One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior.”
The Warrior Solution
The Minions know my story. For 20 years, I battled Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. That struggle left me feeling completely powerless — 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 knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge. It’s designed to help you take control of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want!
A core part of the Warrior journey is learning what you truly value — and then using that clarity to strengthen your mental health and find more meaning and happiness in each day.
That’s why I wrote One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior.
Or, as I like to say: “Less Stuff. More Experiences.”
The One Bag Life
“This way of living starts with one simple question,” I explained. “What if everything you needed for happiness could fit into one bag?”
That question changed my life. It helped me uncover my core values and embrace a powerful mindset: Less Stuff, More Experiences.
“By packing light, you declutter your life — and in turn, your mind,” I continued. “That creates space for joy, new experiences and the mental strength to triumph over life’s challenges”
The Minions nodded enthusiastically. They seemed to get it on a deeply… Minion level. After all, they were always racing off on one ridiculous adventure or another. Maybe valuing experiences over stuff came naturally to them.
Then, before I could say another word, they jumped in — shouting over each other as they brainstormed three ways to apply the One Bag Life mindset!
Example 1: Banana Hoarding vs. Banana Adventures
The first Minion shot his hand into the air and announced, “We have way too many bananas. Like… way too many. They’re everywhere — under our beds, in our closets, stashed in every corner. But we’re always worried about not having enough.”
He paused dramatically. “What if we had fewer bananas… and more banana-related adventures instead?”
This sparked an uproar of positivity. The other Minions cheered wildly at the idea of enjoyable experiences over hoarding fruit.
“Like a banana boat ride!” one shouted. “Or a banana festival!” another chimed in.
Our Turn:
We all have a tendency to collect unnecessary things — whether it’s bananas, clothes, gadgets, or sentimental items. I was no different. For a long time, I thought having more stuff would make me feel secure, prepared, and in control.
But what I learned is that the clutter didn’t calm me — it weighed me down.
When I began applying the One Bag Life mindset, I started letting go of what I didn’t truly need and focused instead on what actually mattered. Instead of accumulating more things, I invested in experiences — time with family, moments that made me laugh and memories that strengthened my mental health.
As the physical clutter decreased, something unexpected happened: my mind felt lighter too. I had more clarity, less overwhelm, and more emotional space to handle life’s challenges.
That’s the power of choosing experiences over excess — you don’t just simplify your space, you strengthen your mental health.
Example 2: Too Many Gadgets, Not Enough Time Together
Another Minion piped up. “We have so many gadgets — half of them we don’t even know how to use! But we’re always fixing or tinkering with something, and it takes up all our time.”
He looked down sheepishly. “We hardly hang out with each other anymore.”
The other Minions nodded in solemn agreement. They had fallen into a classic trap — too much stuff, not enough connection. They finally realized their happiness didn’t come from an endless supply of gadgets, but from simply being together.
Our Turn:
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in consumerism — filling our homes and schedules with things that promise convenience but quietly steal our time and attention.
I’ve been there. I used to think staying busy, upgrading gear, or chasing the next “useful” item meant I was being productive or prepared. In reality, stuff pulled my focus away from what actually supported my mental health — connection, presence and shared experiences.
When I applied the One Bag Life mindset, I started choosing time together over more stuff. Fewer distractions. Fewer things demanding attention. More moments that mattered.
That shift didn’t just simplify my space — it strengthened my mental health. Because real joy doesn’t come from what we own. It comes from who we’re present with.
Example 3: Less Gear, More Fun
The lead Minion stepped forward with the final example. “We always pack for every possible situation. Our bags are stuffed with gear we think we might need — but we never actually use most of it!”
He threw up his hands and grinned. “What if we packed less and focused more on having fun?”
The rest of the Minions erupted into applause. They were ready to let go of their over-packing habits and focus on what truly mattered — the adventure itself.
Our Turn:
We all tend to over-prepare, over-pack and overthink — carrying far more than we need, both physically and emotionally.
I did this for years. I believed being prepared meant having everything covered, every scenario planned and every “just in case” item within reach. But all that extra weight didn’t make life easier — it made it heavier.
When I embraced the One Bag Life mindset, I learned to trust myself more and carry less. Fewer things. Fewer mental what-ifs. More freedom to enjoy the moment in front of me.
By traveling lighter — in our bags, our minds and our lives — we make room for joy, calm and resilience. And those are the real essentials for tackling life’s challenges.
Wrap Up
By now, the Minions were buzzing with excitement. I smiled, knowing these little yellow chaos agents had just discovered a powerful new way of living — one that could boost their mental health and bring more joy to each day.
Before they left, I handed them a copy of One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior. They eagerly piled back into their car — how they all managed to fit is still a mystery.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or weighed down by life’s chaos, take a page from the Minions’ playbook:
✅ Embrace the One Bag Life
✅ Start taking action
✅ Revel in the results
Less stuff. More strength. More life. That’s how Mental Health Warriors find greater happiness each day!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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