The other day, I found myself in the middle of something I never thought I’d experience—putting away dishes with a team of Minions. Yes, the Minions. It all started when I made a casserole so good that these little yellow chaos machines insisted on paying me back. Their idea of "paying back" wasn’t bananas or their usual antics but helping me with household chores. Hey, I wasn’t about to complain.
So, there we were, surrounded by clean dishes, utensils, and a mountain of spoons that seemed to multiply every time we blinked. As we tidied up, my mind wandered (as it does), and I thought, “Why not find a way to make these spoons useful for mental health?” You know, just a normal thought when you’ve got Minions around and a spoon in your hand.
As soon as I said it aloud, the Minions, ever ready to jump on a quirky idea, got excited. They started bouncing around, chattering in their hilarious gibberish, and before I knew it, we had brainstormed six surprisingly effective ways a Mental Health Warrior could use a spoon to build mental health resilience. Yes, it sounds ridiculous—but trust me, the Mental Health Warrior Program I created, based on my struggles with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD, is all about a self-help approach for triumphing over our life’s challenges. So, these spoon ‘tools’ will not only bring a smile to your face, but they will empower you!
Here are the six ways we came up with to turn a simple spoon into a tool for Mental Health Resilience:
1. Spoon Meditation: Focus on the Details
The first Minion, holding a spoon up like a magic wand, suggested we could use the spoon to calm our minds. “Spoon... meditate!” he squeaked.
How it Works:
Grab a spoon and sit quietly for a minute. Hold the spoon in your hand and focus on its texture—the smoothness of the metal, the weight, and how the light reflects off it. Take slow, deep breaths and really immerse yourself in the sensation of holding the spoon.
How This Helps:
This simple spoon meditation helps you practice mindfulness. Focusing on the present moment, even on something as mundane as a spoon, quiets the mental clutter. Instead of spiraling into worry about the future or replaying mistakes from the past, you’re anchored in the present. And let’s face it, who ever thought a spoon could make you feel Zen?
2. Spoon as a Sensory Reset Tool
One particularly clever Minion ran over to the refrigerator, grabbed a spoon, and handed it to me, pressing the cold metal against my forehead. “Cool down!” he said, clearly proud of his quick thinking.
How it Works and Helps:
When you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, using a cold spoon from the refrigerator can serve as a sensory reset. The sudden chill helps interrupt your racing thoughts, bringing you back to the present. It’s like an emotional refresh button, allowing you to pause and refocus. Plus, a spoon is far more convenient than splashing cold water on your face (and it’s way less messy).
3. The Spoon Mirror Trick: Positive Affirmations
At some point, one of the Minions flipped the spoon over, saw his distorted reflection, and burst into laughter. That’s when it hit me—why not use the back of the spoon as a fun mirror?
How it Works:
Look into the spoon’s reflective side and tell yourself something positive. “I’m a Mental Health Warrior!” or “I’ve got this!” The Minions were all over this, lining up to say silly affirmations while their reflections warped like a carnival mirror.
How This Helps:
Positive affirmations are a great way to boost your mood and mental resilience, but adding a spoon mirror into the mix makes it fun. Seeing your distorted reflection as you tell yourself something uplifting creates a light-hearted moment that can lift your spirits. Humor and positivity go hand in hand, and the spoon mirror trick is a perfect combo.
4. Spoon Breathing Exercise
One Minion (the one who was trying to balance a plate on his head) came up with a surprisingly calming idea. “Breathe... on spoon,” he suggested, holding a spoon in front of his mouth.
How it Works:
Hold a spoon up to your mouth, breathe in deeply through your nose, and as you exhale, let your breath hit the spoon. Focus on the warmth of your breath against the metal. Repeat this a few times, each time slowing your breathing just a bit more.
How This Helps:
Deliberate, slow breathing is a proven technique for calming anxiety and helping you center yourself. By focusing your breath on the spoon, you add a tactile element to the exercise, making it easier to stay in the moment. It’s a quick way to reset when emotions run high. And let’s be real—it’s way more portable than yoga mats or meditation apps.
5. Spoon Balancing Act: Building Focus and Patience
One adventurous Minion decided to balance a spoon on his nose, which naturally led to all of us trying it. “Steady... steady...” the Minions chanted as we all attempted this balancing act.
How it Works and Helps:
Balancing a spoon on your nose might seem like a pointless activity, but it’s a great way to practice focus and patience. As you try to keep the spoon balanced, your mind has to stay in the present. It’s a great reminder that life’s challenges require patience, and that a little focus can go a long way—both in spoon balancing and in handling daily stress.
6. Spoonful of Gratitude: A Journaling Prompt
As we were nearing the end of our dish duty, one of the Minions suggested an idea that actually had a lot of depth. “Spoon... thank you,” he said, holding up a spoon like a gratitude totem.
How it Works:
This gave me an idea for a quirky gratitude exercise. Every time you take a spoonful of something during a meal, think of one thing you’re grateful for. Write these down in a journal throughout the day. By the time you’ve finished your meal, you’ll have a list of small things that made you smile.
How This Helps:
Gratitude journaling has been shown to improve mental health, and by associating it with something as routine as eating, you turn it into a habit. The spoon becomes a trigger for positive thinking, helping you shift your mindset from stress or worry to appreciation.
A Spoonful of Mental Health Wisdom
By the end of our dish-washing session, the Minions and I had discovered a lot more about spoons than we ever expected. Who knew they could be such powerful tools for a Mental Health Warrior? Whether it’s using a spoon for mindfulness, sensory resets, or a gratitude exercise, these quirky strategies can help you manage emotions and build resilience in the most unexpected ways.
As the Minions piled back into their car (how they fit, I’ll never know), they promised to take the lessons we learned and apply them to their chaotic, adventure-filled lives. And honestly, if the Minions can find value in these quirky mental health hacks, I’m confident anyone can.
So, the next time you reach for a spoon, remember—it’s not just for eating cereal. It might just be the tool you need to reset, reflect, and be a Mental Health Warrior!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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