Truth 9 – Mental Health Is a Learned Skill: Winnie the Pooh’s Path from Missteps to Mental Strength
- Bruce Schutter
- Nov 3
- 6 min read
There I was, on my usual Warrior Walkabout — just me, a sandbag, a bottle of water and a pouch of almonds — when I heard a sound that stopped me mid-step.
“Oh, bother…”
That wasn’t just any sigh. That was a Hundred Acre Wood-level, lost-all-hope, existential-honey-crisis sigh.
I followed a trail of wilted daisies and emotional exhaustion until I found Winnie the Pooh sitting on a log, head in paws, looking more deflated than Eeyore’s birthday balloon.
Pooh looked up slowly. “Bruce, I keep trying to be better. I try to stay hopeful. But every time
I think I’ve figured it out, I misstep. I lose my temper with Rabbit. I overthink like Piglet. I spiral like Tigger after three espressos. I feel like I’m not built for triumph.”
He paused, ears drooping.
That’s when I knew exactly what Pooh needed to hear from my book, 20 Truths About Mental Health That Everyone Needs to Hear.
I leaned in and said, “Pooh, you’re not broken — you just need to remember Truth 9: Mental Health Is a Learned Skill.”
The Warrior Path
Now, Pooh knew my story — how I spent 20 years battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. It left me feeling broken and hopeless — so hopeless I tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to facing and overcoming challenges.
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.
Part of that program — and how Warriors build strength — is my book, 20 Truths About Mental Health That Everyone Needs to Hear. It proves that mental health touches every part of our lives and, more importantly, pushes us to take action.
With 20 truths and five actions for each, that’s 100 ways to start taking charge today.
Because each truth isn’t just something to understand — it’s something to live. And I knew exactly which truth Pooh needed most: Truth 9 — Mental Health Is a Learned Skill.
Pooh’s ears perked up. “So… it’s not about being good at it — it’s about getting better?”
“Exactly,” I said, flipping to the chapter. “You’re not failing, Pooh. You’re just learning. And I’ve got three actions you can take right now to put this truth into action — no perfection required.”
Action 1: Let It Be Messy at First
“Pooh,” I said, “one of the biggest lies we believe is that we should already know how to handle our emotions. But no one expects a beginner violinist to master Beethoven. Mental health is the same — it’s not about getting it right the first time. It’s about starting, even if it’s wobbly.”
I remember one of my own wobbly starts. I was newly sober, still raw, and found myself overwhelmed in a grocery store — too many lights, too many people, my brain sprinting into worst-case scenarios. I wanted to run.
Then I reached into my pocket and felt my Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin. That small weight reminded me: You’re in charge — not your anxiety. I pressed the coin between my fingers, focused on its texture, and began grounding myself.
I stood there by the frozen peas, awkward and uncertain, whispering to myself and hoping no one noticed. But you know what? It helped — just enough to get through the moment.
That imperfect action — and that small coin — gave me my first real taste of emotional control. It was messy, but it worked!
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “That’s like when I tried not to growl at Rabbit after he reorganized my honey shelf. Owl told me to breathe and count to ten.”
“How’d it go?” I asked.
“I got to four and shouted anyway. But later, when Piglet spilled the honey, I paused, counted to eight, and just sighed. It wasn’t perfect honey-shelf management, but it was progress.”
I smiled. “Exactly. You noticed the emotion, tried again and handled it better the second time. That’s a Warrior move!”
Action 2: Build a Toolbox You’ll Actually Use
“You don’t have to meditate for an hour, journal like Shakespeare, or twist into yoga poses while chanting quotes,” I told Pooh. “Mental health isn’t about doing what works for everyone else — it’s about finding what actually helps you feel in charge.”
I learned this the hard way. Early in my journey, I tried to copy what the internet told me: deep meditation, gratitude journals, sunrise yoga. None of it stuck.
What I really needed was a Mental Health Toolbox filled with tools I’d actually use. So I started small. When I felt overwhelmed, I’d go outside and just move. Sometimes it was a walk. Sometimes a full-on sandbag workout. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked.
That idea — taking a break for physical movement — became one of my go-to tools. Not because it looked good on a checklist, but because it worked when things got tough.
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh dug into his fur and pulled out a sticky, crumpled list that smelled faintly of honey. “I’ve been keeping track of what helps me. Want to see?”
I nodded.
“Okay… Number one: walking with Piglet, even when he’s nervous. Number two: counting clouds until I forget what I was worried about. Number three: saying out loud, ‘This moment is hard, but I’m not a failure.’ Number four: a short nap. Number five: re-reading your book when my brain gets buzzy.”
I smiled. “That’s a strong toolbox, Pooh — because you built it from what actually helps you.”
Action 3: Count the Small Wins
“We overlook our own progress all the time,” I told Pooh. “We wait to celebrate until we’re ‘fixed’ or perfectly calm — like some enlightened monk on a mountaintop. But Mental Health Warriors track the small wins — and let them count.”
I used to ignore my wins completely. If I didn’t crush the whole day, I felt like I’d failed. But I started writing down the little things: I reached out for help. I went for a walk instead of a drink. I paused instead of snapped.
At first, it felt silly. But those small wins started to stack up — and over time, they became proof I wasn’t stuck. I was moving.
Progress doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it whispers: “You didn’t give up.” And Warriors know — that whisper is victory.
Pooh’s Takeaway:
Pooh tilted his head. “If I pause before growling at Rabbit for bossing me around?”
“Victory.”
“If I admit I feel sad and let Piglet sit with me instead of pretending I’m fine?”
“Major victory.”
Pooh sat up straighter. “Last Tuesday, I was really anxious. Normally, I’d eat biscuits until I felt like a stuffed bear with no problems. But this time, I told Eeyore, ‘I’m feeling wobbly today.’ And he didn’t try to fix it. He just said, ‘Me too.’ We sat together and didn’t say much — but I didn’t feel alone.”
I nodded. “You must count that win — because that’s a Warrior win and it’s the kind that changes your life.”
Wrap Up
Pooh looked up and said softly, “I used to think being bad at mental health meant I was broken. But now… I think maybe it just means I’m brave enough to begin.”
I reached into my bag and handed him a copy of my book, 20 Truths About Mental Health That Everyone Needs to Hear.
“This is for you,” I said. “Each truth has five action steps — just like the ones we practiced today. So when you feel lost, stuck, or forgot everything Owl told you, this book will remind you that mental health touches every part of life — and help you take Warrior action.”
As Pooh waddled back toward the Hundred Acre Wood, the book tucked snugly under one arm, I noticed he walked just a little taller. Not because he’d figured it all out — but because he understood something new.
And if you’re reading this, feeling a bit like Pooh — misstepping, second-guessing, wondering if you’ll ever get “there” — remember mental health is not a trait, it’s a learned skill.
Grab your book. Grab your courage. Bring a friend like Piglet if you can. Then take Warrior action — TODAY.
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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