The other day, I was strolling downtown, minding my own business, when who do I bump into but SpongeBob SquarePants! Yep, the famous sea sponge, right there in the middle of town. He looked happy to see me, but there was something a bit off. His usually bubbly demeanor seemed deflated, like he was carrying the weight of the world on his little yellow shoulders.
"Hey, SpongeBob, what’s up?" I asked, sensing something was on his mind. He sighed, which was odd coming from someone who lives under the sea. "It’s my friends," he began. "They’re really struggling with their mental health. Squidward is grumpier than usual, and even Patrick seems... well, more confused than normal."
He looked at me with those big, hopeful eyes. "I know you created the Mental Health Warrior Program, based on your struggles with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD from your time as an EMT with the local rescue squad. And I thought maybe you’d have something I can share with them to help out." I knew exactly where SpongeBob was coming from as Mental health challenges can feel like an endless tidal wave sometimes.
After thinking for a moment, I nodded. "I’ve got just the thing—Mindset Rule 5: 'Do Not Expect or Demand Perfection.' It’s been a game-changer for me, and I think it could really help your friends too." SpongeBob tilted his head. "Perfection? Hmmm, I never thought about it like that. Tell me more!"
"Well, you see," I started, "these Mindset Rules are like warrior weapons—reminders of certain 'truths' that get lost in the chaos of everyday life. They are so powerful that I wrote an entire book on them called “53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.”
And Mindset Rule 5 is extremely important as it helps keep us from getting stuck in the idea that we have to do everything perfectly. That kind of thinking can really mess with our mental health! I could see SpongeBob’s spongey brain working overtime, so I dove right in with 3 examples from my life.
Example 1: Mistakes Aren’t the End—They’re Learning Opportunities
"The first thing Mindset Rule 5 helps me with," I explained, "is when I make mistakes. You know, when things don’t go perfectly, it’s easy to feel like giving up. I used to do that all the time—if something went wrong, I’d beat myself up and turn to my old, unhealthy habits, like drinking, to numb the pain. But with this rule, I remind myself that mistakes aren’t the end of the line."
I continued, "Instead of giving up, I see mistakes as learning opportunities. I ask myself, ‘What can I do differently next time?’ It helps me keep my progress going, even when things don’t go as planned."
SpongeBob’s Takeaway:
SpongeBob’s eyes lit up. "That’s perfect! Squidward gets all worked up when his art doesn’t turn out right. I can tell him to see it as a learning opportunity and not get discouraged!" "Exactly!" I laughed. "Just remind him that even masterpieces don’t start out perfect."
Example 2: Anxiety Doesn’t Disappear, But It Doesn’t Have to Control You
"Now, the second way I use this rule is when dealing with my anxiety. Let’s face it, anxiety doesn’t just vanish because you tell it to. But here’s the thing: I don’t have to be perfect at managing my anxiety. I just have to keep trying."
I leaned in a little closer. "The rule reminds me that I don’t have to be flawless in my efforts. If one coping technique doesn’t work, I don’t give up—I just move on to the next tool in my Mental Health Warrior toolkit. And eventually, I find what works."
SpongeBob’s Takeaway:
SpongeBob’s gears were turning again. "That’s great advice! Patrick always freaks out when he gets confused, which happens, like, all the time. I can tell him it’s okay if one idea doesn’t work to address the problem—he can try something else!" "Exactly!" I said. "It’s all about staying in the game and trying again. Even the best warriors hit rough patches."
Example 3: Taking Pressure Off for the Long Game of Success
"The third way this rule helps," I went on, "is by taking the pressure off. Life’s challenges—Bipolar, anxiety, and several others—controlled me for years. But now, I remind myself I don’t need to be perfect. Instead, I’m playing the long game, where success is about making progress over time."
I paused for effect. "When I stopped expecting perfection from myself, I found that I could take on new challenges, like writing a book, without letting my mental health struggles stop me. This rule reminds me that life’s never going to be perfect, but I’m still in control, and I can move forward without the pressure to get it all right."
SpongeBob’s Takeaway:
SpongeBob was bouncing up and down with excitement now. "That’s amazing! My friends are always feeling overwhelmed, like they have to get everything right, especially Squidward. I can tell them they don’t have to be perfect. They just need to keep moving forward!" "That’s the spirit!" I said with a grin.
SpongeBob’s Plan for His Friends
SpongeBob clapped his hands together. "Okay, here’s what I’m going to do. First, I’ll tell Squidward not to get so upset about his art. It’s not about perfection—it’s about learning and growing. Then, I’ll let Patrick know that if he gets stuck, it’s okay to try something else—he doesn’t have to get everything right the first time. And for Sandy, I’ll remind her that even when things don’t go perfectly in her experiments, she’s still making progress!"
I could see the excitement bubbling in SpongeBob. "Mindset Rule 5 is going to change everything for them!’"
Wrapping It Up and Time to Head Home
As we stood there in the middle of town, SpongeBob looked more energized than ever, ready to take on the world—or at least Bikini Bottom. But then his eyes widened in realization. "Oh no! I left Squidward in charge of the Krusty Krab! I’ve got to get back before he burns the place down!"
We both laughed, but before he dashed off, SpongeBob turned and gave me a big, spongy hug. "Thanks, Bruce! I can’t wait to share Mindset Rule 5 with my friends. Plus, as you gave me a copy of your book “53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.”, the entire library will help them every day!
As I watched him disappear down the street, I couldn’t help but smile. It’s always nice to have these little warrior-to-warrior chats, especially when they remind us that the warrior’s journey to triumphing over our mental health challenges isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of the Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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