The other day, I was strolling downtown, minding my own business, when who should 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 something was 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—a rare sound from someone who literally 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 — a new SELF-HELP approach — based on your 20-year struggle with Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD from your time as an EMT with the local rescue squad. I thought maybe you’d have something I could share with them to help.”
I nodded, completely understanding where SpongeBob was coming from. Mental health challenges can feel like an endless tidal wave sometimes, threatening to pull you under.
After thinking for a moment, I smiled. “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, curiosity etched on his face. “Perfection? Hmmm, I never thought about it like that. Tell me more!”
“Well, you see,” I started, “these Mindset Rules are like warrior weapons—powerful daily reminders and real-life strategies to help center your emotions, keep challenges in check, and triumph even in the midst of adversity. They’ve been so transformative for me that I wrote an entire book about them called '53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.'”
I could see SpongeBob’s spongey brain working overtime as I continued.
“Mindset Rule 5 is especially important because it helps us let go of the idea that we have to do everything perfectly. That kind of thinking can really mess with our mental health, causing stress, anxiety, and even burnout. By letting go of perfection, we free ourselves to focus on progress and learning, instead of unrealistic expectations.”
SpongeBob’s eyes widened as he soaked it all in (pun intended). “Wow! That’s so true. Squidward always gets upset when his art doesn’t turn out perfect, and Patrick… well, Patrick’s just Patrick. But I think this could really help them!”
I could see his enthusiasm bubbling up, so I dove right in to share 3 examples from my own life where I’ve used Mindset Rule 5 to overcome challenges.
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 always gets so worked up when his art doesn’t turn out right. I can tell him to see it as a learning opportunity and not to get discouraged!”
“You’ve got it!” I said smiling. “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, his face beaming with excitement. “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 her experiments don’t go perfectly, 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 sudden 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 burst out laughing. Before dashing off, SpongeBob turned and gave me a big, spongy hug. “Thanks, Bruce! I can’t wait to share Mindset Rule 5 with my friends. And now that I’ve got your book, 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior, the entire library of rules will help them every day!”
As I watched him bounce away 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 of an important truth: the journey to triumph over mental health challenges isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress!
Bruce Schutter
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