All That Glimmers

I’ll be honest, I’ve hardly thought about writing for this blog. I’ve been distracted (read “gripped with paralysing anxiety”) by current events. In the words of Mrs. Lovett, times is hard.

But yesterday, with the spring sun shinning bright, I had an epiphany.

Why don’t I share my glimmers!

The world can be a glimmering place. (Image by cristty from Pixabay)

“What are you on about, Michaela?” I hear you cry.

Well, glimmers are the small moments in life that bring joy, peace or pleasure to our day. First coined by Deb Dana in her book The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, glimmers are commonly viewed as the opposite of triggers. Which is, you know, nice. And sorely needed.

I’ll admit, I’m not great at noticing glimmers in the moment. Traditionally positive emotions don’t tend to scream, “I have arrived - GIVE ME YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION!” the way, say, anxiety does. But it’s a skill I plan on honing, and hopefully this brief post will inspire you to do the same.

So, in no particular order, here are some of my glimmers:

• Cycling past the wild flowers on the way to the station

• Cute cat GIFs

• Kind and friendly customers at work (golden unicorns in the world of customer service!)

• The feeling after a Charlie Follows yoga video

So centred. So clear. (Image by RENE RAUSCHENBERGER from Pixabay)

• Engaging with music - listening to it, dancing to it or making it; music is magic and you can’t change my mind

• Mr Kipling’s French Fancies (have I been know to eat the whole box in one sitting? I can neither confirm or deny.)

• Walking barefoot on grass

• Cuddles with my boyfriend Josh

• Cuddles in general

• Pears - especially when they’re so ripe and juicy that you can’t eat them in a dignified manner

• A nice cup of tea

I’m British. Sue me. (Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay)

• Winning the Freddo at work

• Winning the double Freddo at work (it’s only happened once for me, and it was glorious)

• Walking to the park on my lunch break

• The taste of carrot cake

• The crunch of raw carrots (the superior root vegetable - DO NOT @ ME!)

• Gianmarco Soresi on “Good Day Sacramento” (also in general, but this clip got me)

• Walking in the woods on a summer day

What’s down there? (Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay)

• Watching the world roll by whilst on the train

• Singing through my rep with funny voices/weird vocal qualities - it’s fun AND productive!

• Feeling the sun on my face

• Basking in the moonlight

Also, stars are the OG glimmers. (Image by Susana Cipriano from Pixabay)