We hear a lot about triggers in mental health spaces and those moments that activate stress, fear, or old wounds. What if we shifted our focus to their quiet counterparts? What if we began to seek out the glimmers?
A “glimmer” is a micro-moment of joy, peace, or connection that might otherwise go unnoticed. It’s the opposite of a trigger such as a tiny experience that makes your nervous system feel safe, seen, or soothed. Your brain is always listening. So when you start tuning in to glimmers, your entire internal world begins to shift.
One of my clients, a deeply intuitive woman on a journey of healing, introduced me to the term “glimmers.” She’ll often say, “I had a few glimmers today,” and the softness in her voice when she says it tells me everything. Even on hard days, she’s training her brain to see the good and that’s where transformation lives.
What Are Glimmers?
Coined by therapist Deb Dana, a glimmer is a subtle sign of safety and well-being picked up by your nervous system. It’s when:
- The sun hits your skin just right.
- Your dog rests their head on your lap.
- A stranger smiles at you in the grocery store.
- You sip your coffee and actually taste it.
These moments are small, but they’re powerful. Glimmers are not grand events. They’re simple and ordinary. This is what makes them extraordinary.
The Brain Is Always Listening
Here’s what I often remind my clients (and myself): Your brain is always listening.
When you dwell on stress, chaos, and scarcity, your brain wires itself to expect more of the same. However, when you begin noticing glimmers, you’re actively shifting your focus to what’s working, what feels good, and what makes life meaningful. This is the basis of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to change based on what you pay attention to.
Where attention goes, energy flows. What you focus on grows!
Glimmers vs. Goals: Why Small Moments Lead to Big Changes
So many people come to therapy or coaching because they feel stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed. They have big goals that include wanting to improve health, build stronger relationships, and acquiring financial freedom, but the path feels heavy and far away.
That’s where glimmers come in.
Glimmers are like emotional breadcrumbs. They keep you moving forward by reminding your nervous system that good things are possible.
They don’t replace goals but they make the journey feel lighter. When you can spot a glimmer in your day, you’re telling your brain:
“Hey, life isn’t all stress. There’s still beauty here. I can keep going.”
Why Glimmers Matter to Your Mental Health
Let’s talk about science for a second. Your nervous system is scanning the environment all day long, asking: “Am I safe?”
When it detects a threat, it shifts into fight, flight, or freeze. However, when it detects a glimmer, it softens.
Glimmers help regulate your nervous system.
They calm your stress response.
They remind your body it’s okay to feel good.
And when you feel safe? You think more clearly. You make better decisions. You’re more patient, more present, and more likely to follow through on your habits.
How to Start Spotting Glimmers
Like any mental training, this takes practice! The results are worth it!
1. Slow down and tune in. Be Mindful!
Glimmers are already happening around you. You just need to notice them.
Try this:
- Name one thing today that felt good, even for a second.
- Ask yourself: What did I feel in my body when that happened?
2. Keep a Glimmer Journal.
At the end of the day, jot down 1-3 glimmers you experienced.
They don’t need to be profound. In fact, the more ordinary, the better.
Example entries:
- “The sky was pink this morning.”
- “My tea was warm and comforting.”
- “I laughed with my friend.”
These add up and start rewiring your brain to default toward gratitude and joy.
3. Stack your habits with a glimmer moment.
Doing your morning routine? Add music you love.
Taking your walk? Pause and admire a flower.
These are tiny upgrades to your nervous system.
Glimmers Help You Build Habits, Too
As a therapist and life coach, I emphasize that true transformation comes through habits and not motivation. Motivation is a feeling. It comes and goes. But habits? Habits anchor you when life gets hard.
Here’s the secret: glimmers make habits easier to stick to.
When you associate small joys with your routines, your brain starts craving them. You’re more likely to return to habits that feel good, even in subtle ways.
A Glimmer-Focused Mantra
“I am training my brain to see the good. One glimmer at a time.”
You can even make it part of your morning affirmation ritual. Repeat it while brushing your teeth or while lacing up your shoes for a walk. Let it become your energy reset.
Try This: Glimmer Reflection Prompts
Take 5 minutes with these questions:
- What’s one moment today that made me smile or feel calm?
- What did I see, hear, smell, or feel that brought peace or joy?
- How did my body respond to that moment?
- How can I invite more of these moments into tomorrow?
Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss the Magic
Here’s what I know: transformation doesn’t always look loud.
Sometimes, it looks like noticing the warmth of your coffee mug.
Or the feeling of your feet on the earth.
Or the quiet exhale after a long day.
These glimmers are everywhere. You must train your brain to see them.
When you do, you begin to feel more grounded, more alive, and more you.
Let’s Train Your Brain Together
Want to build a life where peace, presence, and progress coexist?
Let’s work together. Through therapy or coaching, I’ll help you retrain your thoughts, build powerful habits, and find the joy hiding in plain sight.📍 Therapy in TX, FL, GA, MO | 🌎 Coaching worldwide
📩 Reach out today and start seeing life differently.
