Glimmers
During periods of high stress, it can be difficult to “see the good” anywhere. Financial burdens, relational concerns, grief, work challenges, and world events can become all consuming and can affect our ability to remain grounded in our day to day lives. Stress can keep us in a spiral of negative thinking, anxiety, low mood, and hopelessness that can affect our motivation and our sense of joy over time. Glimmers are one method for breaking the downward spiral and recentering our emotions and thoughts to recreate purpose, motivation, and happiness during difficult times.
So what are glimmers? Glimmers are small sensory points of joy, beauty, satisfaction, or comfort one might take notice of during the day that can bring pleasure even during the toughest times. Some examples of glimmers might include noticing an especially beautiful flower, smelling fresh cut grass, or sipping your morning coffee when it’s just the right temperature. Glimmers are easy to miss, especially when you are mired in stress or anxiety; however they can be useful tools to promote a sense of mindfulness, positivity, safety, and relaxation, all of which are especially important to heal from life’s challenges.
Why are glimmers helpful? Firstly, glimmers can create a sense of nostalgia. One such glimmer for me is the sound of mourning doves cooing. I remember first hearing those sounds in my great grandparents’ backyard as a child. Their backyard was the center of many a family gathering, many a long talk on the wooden swingset with my great grandmother, and many an afternoon digging in the dirt to plant flowers with my great grandfather. Whenever I now hear the sound of a mourning dove, I am instantly transported back to that backyard and those memories bring a sense of comfort and joy with them. Other glimmers that may trigger a nostalgic effect could be hearing a song you haven’t heard in years, the smell of your favorite cookies, or seeing your partner’s features in your child.
Secondly glimmers can be a source of inspiration. Often when I am driving home from work in the summers, I can see the sunset as I am driving into my neighborhood behind my car. On especially sunny days, the sun appears large over the horizon and creates beautiful swaths of pinks, oranges, and reds across the sky. Upon one such drive, I was led to sign up for an online class centered around classic landscapes as the sunset that day had reminded me of a famous painting I had seen. Noticing a guitar riff you like while listening to a new song may inspire you to learn guitar. Eating a tasty meal might inspire you to find the recipe yourself to make it on your own. Hearing the sound of rain may inspire you to go out walking in it. Glimmers can create the desire for action even when inaction has become the norm.
Lastly, glimmers can create a sense of presence. Stress can make you decidedly unpresent in your life as the center of your focus becomes whatever you are stressed about. Glimmers can bring you back into reality. Once you notice a glimmer you may be more likely to want to bask in the pleasure you get from the glimmer, which keeps you in the present moment. I very much enjoy the Beatles. Typically when I hear a song come up in a shuffled playlist by them, I will replay the song once or twice because I enjoyed listening to it so much. Listening to your children laughing may catch your attention to listen to them interacting with one another in the hopes of catching more laughter. Noticing the warmth of your bed may result in you staying longer in the bed to revel in that warmth. Enjoying the prose of a book might lead you to reread the passage to enjoy it again. Glimmers can ground you in the present moment and turn off the feeling of “autopilot” which often accompanies stress.
Glimmers are small blips of pleasure during the day that are useful for snapping the mind out of the downward spirals that often come from stress. Glimmers can be easily missed, but when seized upon glimmers can be a source of presence, inspiration, and nostalgia. Glimmers can bring a sense of joy, safety, and relaxation even in the most difficult of times. Training your brain to seize upon and utilize glimmers as a mindfulness practice can allow you to weather the storm more easily and rediscover your sense of self when life gets tough. Challenge yourself to notice your glimmers today!
