Lindsay Dupuis, M.A. C.C.C.

Lindsay Dupuis, M.A. C.C.C.

Mindfulness-Based Counsellor & Meditation Trainer | Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Category: Self-Help

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Self-Help

The Ongoing Battle of the Two Selves

by LindsayDupuisupdated on May 22, 2020July 19, 2019Leave a Comment on The Ongoing Battle of the Two Selves

We all have different faces that we wear depending on the people we’re around and the situation we’re in. For example, the person we are at work is different than the person we are at home, with friends, around our romantic partner, and so on. But, when it comes to our mental health, it can …

Self-Help

The Importance of Reconnecting With Your Values

by LindsayDupuisupdated on May 22, 2020July 19, 2019Leave a Comment on The Importance of Reconnecting With Your Values

We all get lost from time to time. That’s part of being human. Sometimes life throws you unexpected curveballs, but sometimes you make a series of conscious decisions that, without realizing it at the time, end up throwing you so far off course that you wake up with the sudden realization, one day, that you …

Self-Help

How Meditation Can Improve Your Life

by LindsayDupuisupdated on May 22, 2020July 18, 2019Leave a Comment on How Meditation Can Improve Your Life

I’m an avid meditator. I’ve been meditating since my undergraduate years in university. To this day, I do my best to commit 15 minutes each morning to the practice as well as attend a 1-3 hour group meditation on weekends.  Up to 3 hours… First, sitting for 25 minutes. Self-supported, dignified, upright posture. Eyes resting …

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  • If you could step outside of yourself and watch your life unfold as an observer, what evidence currently exists suggesting your choices are rooted in your hopes? What is the evidence that your choices reflect your fears? If you could watch yourself shift into a lifestyle guided by hopes rather than fears over the next few days, what concrete actions would you see yourself take? How would this be different than the way you have been living?
  • 3 steps for dealing with powerful emotions: 1 | Complete a cost-benefit analysis of engaging with them. Write down the pros and cons of following through with your urges to have an emotional reaction. Keep this handy and re-read it often, even when you’re feeling calm and collected. This makes it more likely that you’ll hold your ground the next time you’re feeling triggered. 2 | Ride the emotional wave, and distract yourself in the meantime. Recognize that it’s normal and human to have the negative emotions you are having. Know, also, that these emotions are temporary, and will soon come to an end. Your urges don’t always have to be followed. As such, try putting them off for later. In the meantime, distract yourself by going for a walk, laying down for a rest, talking to a friend, or otherwise doing something that makes you feel good. 3 | Use your emotions as a strong creative energy. Once you’ve accepted the presence of your emotions and diffused them through distraction (Step 2), try using the rest of your energy to make something positive happen. Connect with your values and change focus to the goals and actions that characterize the type of person you really want to be. Ask yourself “what would my role model, or an older and wiser version of myself, do?”
  • What differentiates the resilient from those who go down with their loss is how they deal with it. We all move through the stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) at our own pace – and not always in order – but, eventually, we need to tip the scale into acceptance. It’s only when we fall into this final resting stage that we can become active – active in the sense that the life inside of us is activated once again. In this state, we can draw from our wealth of internal resources, creating a renewed sense of meaning and purpose in our lives. Resilience isn’t something that only the “lucky ones” have. It’s in all of us. It’s a skill that can be learned, developed, and strengthened, but we have to commit to practicing it.
  • Many of us can probably agree that COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in our plans this year. Remember, you’re not alone - we’re all being asked to pause and reset our lives. The path ahead might not be the one you’d originally envisioned, but it might be what you really need. What can you do to move forward today? To learn and grow through this experience?
  • Negativity dominates headlines during times of crisis. With bad news at the forefront, our brains are primed to look for confirming evidence of what we’re hearing or reading. If we hear about the “bad” behaviours of certain individuals, for example, we might notice more of these traits in the general population. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness about the state of humanity, which many of my clients are currently expressing. If we react from these feelings, however, it’s likely that we’ll fall into patterns confirming our concerns. By getting angry, avoiding eye-contact with strangers, or hoarding items for our own sake, aren’t we creating more of what we’re afraid of seeing in others? As we continue facing the COVID-19 lock-down, we must remember that most individuals are trying their best. For every unhelpful act, there are many more that are helpful and encouraging. With this in mind, we must make it our mission to look for as many “rainbows” as possible. And, this starts with ourselves. Make eye contact with strangers (this won’t spread a virus!), say “hi,” and thank those who respect your personal space. Chances are, the recipient is a concerned individual, too. If we make these simple changes, it’s more likely we’ll start seeing them in others - our energy, after all, is more contagious than we probably know. The more we motivate change on an individual level, the more we’ll inspire a caring and compassionate society on the whole.
  • “Be you. The world will adjust.” ~ unknown Love who you are and put energy into being you, not anyone else. When you make decisions based on what’s dearest to you, you can rest assured that life will unfold as it’s meant to. When we live according to what we think others would want us to do (or what they would do), we can expect a side effect of negative emotions. Trust yourself. Take the steps that are best for you (and, by extension, those closest to you). Tune out the judgement of others. The world will adjust, and life will provide you with exactly what you need along the way. Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
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I’m committed to helping you connect with yourself so you can become your own best guide on your life’s journey.

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