The other day, I decided to enjoy a peaceful afternoon at the park. I parked my car in a nice, shady spot, ready for some quiet time with a good book—One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior. It’s a book I’ve written, and I was re-reading it to remind myself of how it has helped me build strong mental health and triumph over my life’s challenges of Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD.
But peace, as it turns out, had other plans. As I opened my car door, I heard a commotion coming from the vehicle next to me. Suddenly, the door burst open, and, like a scene from one of those classic clown car skits, out poured a dozen Minions. Yes, the Minions. Yellow, goggle-wearing, banana-loving agents of pure chaos. One after another, they tumbled out, rolling, bouncing, and scrambling around, all chattering loudly in their usual gibberish.
At first, they seemed like they were struggling with some sort of challenge. It was clear they were having a serious debate (as serious as Minions can get) over something. They were all talking at once—gesturing wildly, arguing, and making exaggerated faces that somehow blended confusion, frustration, and mischief.
Just as I was about to slip away quietly and avoid the madness, one of them spotted me holding my book. The scene shifted instantly. Every Minion stopped talking, their eyes laser-focused on the book in my hand. The silence was almost eerie. Then, the lead Minion, who I assumed had some unofficial authority (probably the one with the tallest goggle), pointed and said, “Hey! You! What’s that? We’re all struggling with our emotions from the challenges in our lives and we’ve lost focus. Will that book help us?”
A talking Minion is one thing, but a self-aware, emotionally struggling Minion? Now that was unexpected. I smiled, knowing this would be an interesting conversation. “Well,” I said, “this book is about living the One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior. It’s about simplifying your life by focusing on what really matters. Imagine if everything you needed for happiness could fit into one bag—what would you pack?”
The Minions all gasped, clearly intrigued. The lead Minion stepped forward. “Tell us more!”
The One Bag Life
I explained, “The answer to that question helped me uncover my core values and embrace a mindset of ‘Less Stuff, More Experiences.’ The whole idea is that by decluttering your life of unnecessary physical things, you make room for more meaningful experiences. It’s a concept that doesn’t just boost happiness but also strengthens mental health, especially when you’re dealing with challenges like anxiety, stress, or overwhelm.”
The Minions nodded enthusiastically. They seemed to understand this on a deeply Minion level. After all, they were always running after one ridiculous adventure or another, so the concept of valuing experiences over stuff probably resonated more than I initially realized.
“One Bag Life is about focusing your time and energy on what truly matters,” I continued. “In the book, I talk about a three-step packing plan that helps you figure out what goes into your ‘One Bag.’ By packing light, you declutter your life, and in turn, you declutter your mind. This helps create space for joy, experiences, and the kind of mental strength you need to face life’s challenges.”
The Minions’ Take: “Less Stuff, More Experience”
The Minions, ever the energetic little masterminds, quickly jumped in with their own ideas on how they could apply the One Bag Life mindset. They even gave three examples of how switching to "Less Stuff, More Experience" would help them find the happiness they were missing—and improve their mental health along the way.
1. Banana Hoarding vs. Banana Adventures
The first Minion raised a hand and announced, “We have way too many bananas. Like, way too many. They’re everywhere—under our beds, in our closets, stashed in every possible corner. But we’re always worried about not having enough bananas. What if we had less bananas and more banana-related adventures instead?”
This led to an uproar of agreement from the other Minions, who seemed thrilled at the thought of banana-related experiences rather than simply hoarding fruit. “Like a banana boat ride!” one Minion shouted.
How This Applies to Everyone:
We all tend to collect unnecessary things—whether it’s bananas, clothes, gadgets, or sentimental items. But what if we focused less on accumulating and more on creating memorable experiences? Instead of buying another new gadget, go on an adventure or plan an outing with friends. By reducing the physical clutter in our lives, we make room for the emotional richness that comes from shared experiences.
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 stuff or tinkering, and it’s taking up all our time. We hardly get to hang out with each other anymore.”
There were nods of agreement all around. It was clear the Minions had fallen into the classic trap—too much stuff, too little connection. They realized that their happiness came from spending time together, not from playing with an endless supply of gadgets.
How This Applies to Everyone:
In today’s world, it’s easy to get lost in consumerism. We fill our homes with things that, in the end, don’t really make us any happier. By focusing on experiences—like spending quality time with family or friends—we nourish our mental health in ways that “stuff” never could.
3. Less Gear, More Action
The lead Minion gave the final example. “We’re always packing for every possible situation. Our bags are stuffed with all kinds of gear we think we might need, but we never actually use most of it. What if we packed less gear and just focused on having more fun?”
The rest of the Minions burst into applause, clearly on board with this idea. It seemed they were ready to let go of their over-packing habits and focus on what really mattered—the adventure itself.
How This Applies to Everyone:
We all tend to over-prepare, over-pack, and over-think. Whether it’s physical items or emotional baggage, we carry too much with us. The One Bag Life teaches us to streamline, focus on what matters, and leave the rest behind. This creates mental space for joy, calm, and strength—perfect for tackling life’s inevitable challenges.
The Minions' Next Adventure: Mental Health Warriors
By now, the Minions were buzzing with excitement. “We’re going to be Mental Health Warriors too!” the lead Minion declared. “We’ll follow the One Bag Life and focus on experiences, not stuff.” I smiled, knowing that these little yellow chaos agents had found some new clarity. “Here,” I said, handing them the book. “Take this with you. It’ll help you stay on track, even when things get crazy.”
They accepted the book with reverence (well, as reverent as Minions can get) and promised to follow the new way of living found in the One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior Book. Then they piled back into their car—how they managed to fit back inside was still a mystery to me—and took off for their next adventure.
As I watched them go, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy. The Minions were off to declutter their lives, focus on experiences, and strengthen their mental health. And as for me? I was more motivated than ever to continue living the One Bag Life of a Mental Health Warrior. After all, if the Minions can do it, we all can!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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