When freedom meets responsibility
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When Freedom Meets Responsibility |
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Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
When enough is enough
When enough is enough
Driving recently, a burst of colour caught my eye, vibrant purple lupins lining the edge of the highway. At first glance, they were stunning. Tall, elegant, and wild. But as I looked closer, I remembered: lupins are invasive. Left unchecked, they crowd out native plants and throw entire ecosystems off balance.
It struck me how often this happens in life, something beautiful, enjoyable, or comforting becomes harmful when it grows beyond its proper place.
Substances are an obvious example. Alcohol or cannabis may offer short-term relief. They ease discomfort, calm nerves, help us unwind. But if they begin to take up more space than they should, if we lean on them too often they start to take more than they give. Like the lupins, they spread quietly, until one day we realize our internal landscape feels crowded, overrun.
Even things like work, social media, or exercise, all potentially positive, can become too much. More is not always better. It’s about balance, not abundance.
At Landing Strong, we encourage thoughtful awareness: What in your life is nourishing? What feels good now but might lead to harm if left unchecked? And what do you want to cultivate more intentionally?
We always have a choice. We can admire the lupins for their beauty and still commit to protecting the health of the whole field.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Spaces that soothe
Spaces that soothe
I recently visited the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts in Sackville, New Brunswick, and found myself unexpectedly moved by the student lounge. It wasn’t extravagant or flashy…quite the opposite. The space was calm, inviting. What caught my attention most were the pillows: textured, varied in shape and weight, clearly chosen with intention. They weren’t just decorative. They were designed to soothe.
In a setting where students often carry the weight of deadlines, expectations, and social demands, this space offered quiet reassurance. It said, You belong. You’re allowed to rest here.
It made me reflect on the environments we create, for ourselves and others. So often, we power through our days without noticing the subtle stressors in our surroundings. Noise, clutter, harsh lighting, or even the absence of softness can wear on us over time. But what if we thought differently? What if we gave ourselves permission to design spaces, physical and emotional, that comfort and calm us?
At Landing Strong, we talk a lot about self-regulation and nervous system care. But it isn’t just about internal coping strategies. It’s also about our external world: the textures, sounds, and settings that either support or strain us.
The student lounge reminded me that caring for ourselves doesn’t need to be complex. Sometimes it starts with a soft pillow, a quiet corner, or the courage to make room for calm.
Warmly,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome?
Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is very real; we’ve all experienced it at some point. It’s that general feeling of self-doubt that creeps in silently, right when we’re expected to perform our best.
I was considering taking a risk recently, something that is a bit outside of my comfort zone.
I drafted a proposal to speak about a topic that interests me, on a subject matter that would stretch my abilities. I felt a wave of Imposter Syndrome wash over me. I had spent the weekend researching and working on it and submitted a proposal that I was rather proud of. What was that nagging voice in my head that challenged me, I wondered?
Then I realized the truth. Imposter Syndrome was simply a sign that I was pushing myself to grow. Venturing out of the land of predictable or ordinary, I dared to try to do something that scared me. There is the possibility I might fail. But then again, I might grow.
When you first started your profession, I bet that you struggled with Impostor Syndrome. Even if you are injured or unable to work, you might feel as though you haven’t earned the right to be off. You are used to caring for others. Caring for yourself might just feel wrong. Please know that this is the norm, not the exception.
I invite you to step forward into self-compassion.
Consider making space for yourself to grow. Whether through individual counseling, or group work. I’m willing to take a bet on you…are you?
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Feel the fear and do it anyway
I grew up in a big old house in downtown Toronto. In the garden there were flowers, in the basement there were monsters. I was sure of it.
I remember reacting with dread anytime I was asked to go down to that dark, spider-filled place. I would retrieve whatever I had been asked to get, flicking off the light and sprinting up the stairs as fast as my six-year-old legs could carry me.
Somehow I knew that if I could just move fast enough and leave enough distance between myself and the things I feared, I would be okay.
When we are injured and isolated, our monsters multiply. In an effort to protect ourselves, we naturally pull back from forces that threaten to harm us. The challenge with this is the more we avoid the things we fear, the bigger they become.
We all have things we may be afraid to do, the question is, are we able to find the courage to try it anyway?
Our upcoming program Healthy Living is all about giving new things a try. Give us a call to learn more.
The mornings take place here at Landing Strong, and the afternoons are at Maker’s Studio.
Oh, and in case you are wondering, I faced those monsters in the basement years ago.
Warm Regards and Happy Easter,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Warm thoughts,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
Two steps forward, one step back
They may reappear when you least expect it. Just when things were getting better, a symptom returns, reminding you of a past that you had hoped was left behind.
What does it mean when old symptoms reappear?
Even when you’re working hard on your recovery, it’s normal for symptoms to occasionally come back.
It’s really hard to feel like you’re not making forward progress, or that you’re not recovering even though you’re doing the work. But we know that recovery isn’t linear. Our symptoms serve as indicators that our total load has crept up higher than is healthy. By paying attention to it, we are able to examine the areas of our life that need to be addressed.
There’s a lot of background stress these days, so don’t be surprised if the buffer is thin. The amount of stress we can handle under normal conditions isn’t the same as what we can handle during challenging times. Instead of judging ourselves, let’s try to practice compassion. See if there is anything you can do to lighten your load, and remember… this too shall pass.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
