Stop Doomscrolling: Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat Embraces Mindset Rule 10
- Bruce Schutter
- Oct 3
- 5 min read
It started like most modern breakdowns do: too much negative news, not enough time to even enjoy my diet soda.
I was slumped on my couch, staring at my phone like it owed me money. Every headline felt heavier than the last — economic uncertainty, wild weather, political tension and some very aggressive squirrels invading picnic tables in Europe. (Okay, that one was actually kind of funny.)
Enter Marvin. But not just any cat — Marvin the "Mental Health Warrior" Cat.
He’s been with me through the darkest chapters of my life. He knows my story well: 20 years battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. He even saw the day I felt so powerless I tried to end my life. But in that darkness, 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.
And today, Marvin has one thing to say about doomscrolling: it’s time to fight back with Mindset Rule 10.
The Warrior Solution
Marvin has faced his own challenges, just like me, and that’s why he became a Mental Health Warrior. Now, he dishes out Warrior advice freely — and today, he had his sights set on me.
“Bruce,” he purred, “we need to talk.”
“About what?” I asked, already bracing myself.
“You’re doing that thing again — sinking into the sea of despair like it’s a hot tub.” He narrowed his eyes. “Time to revisit your book 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior and Mindset Rule 10: Have Fun!”
I blinked. “Fun? Have you seen the news?”
“Yes,” Marvin said, licking a paw. “It’s trash. But you? You’re a Warrior. And fun isn’t optional — it’s armor.”
Mindset Rules = Warrior Power
Mindset Rules aren’t strict regulations — they’re reminders of essential truths. Each rule helps you center your emotions and stay in control of your day. Think of them as powerful tools in your Mental Health Warrior arsenal, designed to help you triumph over whatever life throws your way.
These rules give you a proactive way to handle stress, but they’re just as effective when life blindsides you. Instead of getting stuck, they help you move forward.
And now, Marvin’s words rang in my ears: “Fun isn’t optional — it’s armor.”
His point was simple: outside chaos doesn’t get to run the show. YOU do!
The best way to reclaim your power? Remember why you’re doing the work in the first place. We don’t fight through our emotions just to survive — we do it so we can actually enjoy life.
Then, with his usual smug flair, he laid out three ways to wield fun — aka Mindset Rule 10 — like a weapon against the world’s current nonsense.
Action 1: Warrior Whimsy
“First,” Marvin said, stretching like a cat about to deliver life-changing wisdom, “you need to inject your day with ridiculous joy. I’m talking warrior whimsy. Do something just for the fun of it. No purpose. No productivity. Just because it feels good!”
He paced like a tiny general rallying troops. “You humans act like everything needs to be justified with a goal. But joy doesn’t need permission — it just needs a moment.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Like what? Knit a taco hat?”
“Interesting idea — but how about this: Dance like an idiot in your kitchen. Rewatch a cartoon from your childhood. Shout compliments at clouds. They deserve it.
Make joy undeniable. Remind yourself — life isn’t just a list of problems to solve. It’s also made of moments to enjoy. Even the weird ones.”
Our Turn:
When I catch myself doomscrolling, sinking deeper with every headline, I stop and flip the script. Instead of feeding the spiral, I grab my Bluetooth speaker, blast some ‘80s music, and step out on the porch.
Within minutes, I’m laughing at myself dancing in flip-flops, pretending I’m in a music video. And here’s the thing: the news is still out there — but my mood has shifted. The weight is lighter. I’ve reminded myself that life isn’t only chaos and stress — it’s also joy, silliness and choice.
Action 2: Reclaim the Meme
“Second,” Marvin said, curling into a smug little loaf, “reclaim your sense of humor. Scroll for laughs, not dread. Hunt for memes like a predator stalking its prey. Share one that actually makes you snort.”
He paused dramatically. “And don’t fake laugh. I want actual-snort-through-your-nose kind of joy.”
I squinted. “So… you’re telling me to doomscroll — but ironically?”
“Exactly,” Marvin nodded. “You already have the scrolling reflex. Just redirect it! Most of your stress lives in your thought loops. Laughter breaks the loop. Humor isn’t frivolous — it’s tactical neuroscience in a party hat.
Our Turn:
When I catch myself sinking into endless bad news, I stop and flip the script. Instead of scrolling deeper into despair, I deliberately scroll for laughs. I’ll pull up my stash of memes, goofy videos, or pet photos and suddenly the spiral breaks.
Sometimes I even throw one into my Emergency Laughs Only group chat — no politics, no complaints, just pure humor. Within seconds, someone fires back with something ridiculous and we’re all laughing.
And here’s the shift: laughter breaks the thought loop. My brain remembers joy still exists, even in the middle of chaos. That’s not ignoring the problems — it’s refusing to hand over my peace.
Action 3: Talk to Your Tribe
Marvin flicked his tail and leaned in. “Look, Bruce, when I feel the spiral coming on, I don’t sit there feeding it with more scrolling. I shut it down and reach out to my crew. In person if I can.
Doug’s always good for a snack and a sarcastic one-liner. Samantha? She’ll crack a nerdy joke that makes me roll my eyes. Percy just sits with me, no words needed.”
He gave me a pointed look. “That does more for me than an hour of bad news ever could. A real conversation. A laugh. A nod. That’s tribe. That’s the Warrior approach.”
Our Turn:
When I catch myself sinking under the weight of headlines, I put down the phone and reach for my tribe. Sometimes that means walking into the kitchen to talk with family. Other times it’s calling a friend just to hear a real voice.
It never fails — the moment I start talking, the knot in my chest begins to loosen. A conversation grounds me in connection instead of fear. It reminds me I’m not alone, and that the world is bigger than the doomscroll cycle.
That’s the power of tribe. A single phone call — or even a laugh in person — does more for my mental health than another hour of scrolling ever could!
Wrap Up
As Marvin settled into a nap (mid-lecture, no less), the weight on my chest lifted a little. Not because the world magically improved — but because I remembered who’s in charge of my inner world: ME.
I flipped through 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior and reminded myself of this truth: Mindset Rule 10 — Have Fun — isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about returning to it.
And one of the best times to use it? When I catch myself doomscrolling. Instead of sinking into headlines, I can break the cycle with laughter, joy and play.
So the next time the chaos of current events drags you down, lean on Mindset Rule 10. Add a little fun to your day. Laugh. Dance. Play.
Because fun isn’t frivolous — it’s fuel. It’s Warrior power — the power to stop doomscrolling, rise above the noise and THRIVE!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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