What are glimmers? The art of noticing

What is a “glimmer?”

The term glimmer was coined by Deb Dana, a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma. She says:

“Glimmers are micro-moments of regulation that foster feelings of well-being. A glimmer could be as simple as seeing a friendly face, hearing a soothing sound, or noticing something in the environment that brings a smile. They are personal to each of us and one person’s glimmer may be another person’s trigger. Glimmers are a cue in the day, either internal or external, that sparks a sense of well-being. These tiny moments gently yet significantly shape your system toward well-being. They help you become regulated and ready for connection.”

Art by LAUREN BAIRD

Everyday joy

Putting a name to these micro-moments of joy has helped me to be more mindful of them. I may notice something as simple as a bird singing a tune on a rooftop, or the way sunlight fills a room, and I take a moment to stop to soak it in. Noticing these sparks of beauty helps relax the body and brings a sense of calm. By no means does this make all of the bad stuff go away, but it is comforting to remember that amidst all the chaos of everyday life, solace persists alongside it.

Our beautiful brains

However, evolution is not on our side, as we are programmed to notice and remember negative experiences as a means of survival. This is known as “negativity bias.” Research has shown our brains react more strongly to negative imagery. When we see something like a car crash, the brain fires off a big lightning burst of electrical energy and says, “I’ll remember that!” In contrast, when gazing at something like a bunch of puppies, our brain’s network processing unit is more like, “Okay, cool,” and maybe lights the neuron equivalent to a sparkler. Our brains dedicate more neural energy to remembering the bad.

Furthermore, it seems like we often measure our lives our lives by big accomplishments like graduation, landing a coveted job, or getting married. Those things are important, but life is also a mosaic of small moments that build into something bigger. The days speed by pretty fast, and often, I barely notice time is passing. According to Dana, glimmers often pass us by without us even noticing, but these small moments of joy are all around us if we care to look. Noticing, it seems, is a skill that can be developed if we care to do so. Dana says that once we learn to look for these moments of beauty, we become better at recognizing them. Another way to way to hone our glimmer-catching skills could include journaling and sharing them with others.

Annelise's artwork showcases the little things in life. Lots of these are glimmers of mine, too.

Some glimmers I have noticed in my life:

The feeling of the warm beams of sunshine when taking a walk.

Laying on a cushy bed under a warm blanket and listening to the sound of the rain.

Seeing my 2-year-old niece’s grin when we laugh together over Facetime.

Savoring that first bite of a home-cooked dish.

A much-needed hug from a friend.

The citrusy smell of a summer orange and dividing it to share with another.

A warm cup of coffee coupled with a good book.

The glowing moon on a cool summer evening.

And so, I will commit to notice and keep noticing. As far as we know, we're only here on earth once, so let's make the most of it! Life is hard, that is for sure, and beauty in life does not negate the suffering. However, amidst all of the turmoil, what glimmers of hope, peace and gratitude can we recognize when we're up for it? Go glimmer hunting and share your experiences below!

more of my glimmers ✨

Art by LAUREN BAIRD