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
