“I sometimes feel a bit self-conscious writing about saccharine things like glimmers — or about documenting the joys, practicing gratitude, or noting the good at the end of each day. These are simple concepts, right? Do I really need to devote yet another newsletter to this idea?” Honestly, I don’t think we can ever have too many reminders of these simple concepts that so easily get crowded out by, you know, life :) Thanks for sharing!
I call glimmers "JIM TOUCHES" and they are not everyday but they are common sometimes unexpected I even keep a list in the back of my journal to remind me when I am sad
This is very sweet! My very first glimmer on the list was my late husband, Jamie, saying hello. Every time I see a ladybug (this one, my kiddo spotted), it feels like Jamie is stopping by to say hi.
"How my sweet, dumb, wired-for-negativity brain was on high alert, expecting the worst." Hi, hello, the most relatable line—and exactly why we need reminders about these concepts. Also, I've seen a handful of videos about glimmers vs. triggers, but words (either written or via audio) always have more of an impact for me personally. So, write about anything, Katie. Someone will take something from it. ✨
Thank you for this tender and helpful piece! I like the idea of actively LOOKING for glimmers when we are about to enter a difficult situation or place. Will aim to do the same myself!
Ohh Katie, After reading you posts about "glimmers", I realized that is exactly what I have been doing since the loss of my daughter almost 4 years ago. I love the term 'glimmers'. Wherever I go I will tell my daughter, Allison that I need to know she's here... most times if not every time I see or hear something that cements Allison is here! "Glimmers"... which you wouldn't know but so describes my daughter. She glimmered! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Yes, I want to continue to focus on glimmers instead of triggers! Hugs!
Thank you so much for writing this - I needed to read it. Reading how others deal with places and old memories has helped me to get through my own. So appreciate this reframing. ❤️
I wish I had this for my trip back to St. Pete in December 2021. I spent the entire trip struggling over the immense traumas experienced growing up there (and the health issues the South, in general, complicates due to a mast cell disorder—the major reason why we left for Seattle—triggered by heat and sunlight). But, I had a lot of good memories there, too. And I was able to lean into those... more so *after* I returned home, but still.
In that trip, I needed to cry things out. I spent much of the time in my hotel room mopping up lose emotions. But I needed that time, and I needed to go back to work through some of the things I experienced and just ran away from.
I'm glad there's a word for it: Glimmers! It's cute and even a bit whimsical. It, alone, makes me want to smile. Oh, wait, that's an actual smile on my face right now! Okay, it *makes* me smile! Within the past few months, I just naturally started finding the glimmers in life. I'm not sure what changed, really, but it's been nice that my brain seemed to rewire itself from being more negative and pessimistic to more hopeful, seeking the little joys in life over allowing the tough stuff to saturate everything. Life didn't become inherently better—I'm sick again after being sinus-flare-free for barely a week and a half before falling ill again. And in that week and a half, I was stuck at home with tendon flaring (connective tissue disorder) to boot. Still, the glimmers shined through everything and still do. I'm looking at the little smiling octopus stuffy named "Opie," staring at me from my desk top as I write. My oldest got it for me from Pike Place Market with her own money because she'd bought a large one for herself and a friend several weeks prior, and noticed how much I enjoyed pulling on the coiling tentacles, so curious over how they bounced back perfectly every time. She saved up for it just so I could have one, too. There's a glimmer in just about every experience, and it feels amazing to realize that. Even most of the horrors I experienced in Florida all had glimmers (of hope, at least). And the reality that bad will happen anywhere and everywhere and at any time is still a fact, but one that doesn't have to be the only truth: Good—glimmers!—is/are anywhere, everywhere, happening any time, too.
Being aware of both is healthy. But seeking the latter is powerful tool to keep on hand.
Thanks, Katie. Share saccharine things all you want! I can't imagine anyone not enjoying anything you write. And I don't think that's me seeing your writing through rose-colored, glimmery glasses, either! 😉
Oh Sara, thanks for sharing this! I'm glad, hard as it may have been, that you had the opportunity to cry things out during your trip. And I'm glad that you're starting to see more and more glimmers in life. That's beautiful and encouraging!
I also love the story about Opie. My daughter has a stuffed octopus and just the idea of her buying one for mom when she's older just made me smile. How sweet and thoughtful of your kiddo!
Wow…eerie…I read this on the way to the airport…heading to St. Pete…for the first time since my mom died there six years ago. I’ll be on the lookout for glimmers…luckily that’s pretty easy in SP!
I absolutely love this - I think it’d be a wonderful way to teach my students about gratitude and paying attention to the positives. Wonderful way to see things.
This is really marvelous Katie. I’m so glad for you first of all. I had just read this post when a friend of mine let me know she was going through something really hard. The kind of thing with lots of triggers. So I sent her your post. I am really trying to change the way, I look at things as well, just realizing that so much of my stress is based on the way I look at things and what I focus on.
Simple concepts are often the best concepts! I love anything that can help neutralize triggers. Glimmers are something I am going to proactively seek out.
It's remarkable how shifting our perspective from focusing on triggers to actively seeking out glimmers can profoundly impact our experiences and mental well-being. Wishing you continued strength and courage on your journey of growth and self-discovery.
“I sometimes feel a bit self-conscious writing about saccharine things like glimmers — or about documenting the joys, practicing gratitude, or noting the good at the end of each day. These are simple concepts, right? Do I really need to devote yet another newsletter to this idea?” Honestly, I don’t think we can ever have too many reminders of these simple concepts that so easily get crowded out by, you know, life :) Thanks for sharing!
That's so kind, Sydney. Thank you!
“The path is illuminated by glimmers.” So beautiful…..thank you, Katie!
I loved the mental visual this evoked... Almost like a fairy forest 🎇🧚🏼♀️
Aww, thanks y'all!
I call glimmers "JIM TOUCHES" and they are not everyday but they are common sometimes unexpected I even keep a list in the back of my journal to remind me when I am sad
This is very sweet! My very first glimmer on the list was my late husband, Jamie, saying hello. Every time I see a ladybug (this one, my kiddo spotted), it feels like Jamie is stopping by to say hi.
"How my sweet, dumb, wired-for-negativity brain was on high alert, expecting the worst." Hi, hello, the most relatable line—and exactly why we need reminders about these concepts. Also, I've seen a handful of videos about glimmers vs. triggers, but words (either written or via audio) always have more of an impact for me personally. So, write about anything, Katie. Someone will take something from it. ✨
That means a lot. Thank you, Cait!
Thank you for this tender and helpful piece! I like the idea of actively LOOKING for glimmers when we are about to enter a difficult situation or place. Will aim to do the same myself!
I'm so glad it was helpful! xo
Ohh Katie, After reading you posts about "glimmers", I realized that is exactly what I have been doing since the loss of my daughter almost 4 years ago. I love the term 'glimmers'. Wherever I go I will tell my daughter, Allison that I need to know she's here... most times if not every time I see or hear something that cements Allison is here! "Glimmers"... which you wouldn't know but so describes my daughter. She glimmered! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Yes, I want to continue to focus on glimmers instead of triggers! Hugs!
This is so beautiful. Hugs back to you!
Thank you so much for writing this - I needed to read it. Reading how others deal with places and old memories has helped me to get through my own. So appreciate this reframing. ❤️
You’re very welcome! I’m glad it’s helpful.
I wish I had this for my trip back to St. Pete in December 2021. I spent the entire trip struggling over the immense traumas experienced growing up there (and the health issues the South, in general, complicates due to a mast cell disorder—the major reason why we left for Seattle—triggered by heat and sunlight). But, I had a lot of good memories there, too. And I was able to lean into those... more so *after* I returned home, but still.
In that trip, I needed to cry things out. I spent much of the time in my hotel room mopping up lose emotions. But I needed that time, and I needed to go back to work through some of the things I experienced and just ran away from.
I'm glad there's a word for it: Glimmers! It's cute and even a bit whimsical. It, alone, makes me want to smile. Oh, wait, that's an actual smile on my face right now! Okay, it *makes* me smile! Within the past few months, I just naturally started finding the glimmers in life. I'm not sure what changed, really, but it's been nice that my brain seemed to rewire itself from being more negative and pessimistic to more hopeful, seeking the little joys in life over allowing the tough stuff to saturate everything. Life didn't become inherently better—I'm sick again after being sinus-flare-free for barely a week and a half before falling ill again. And in that week and a half, I was stuck at home with tendon flaring (connective tissue disorder) to boot. Still, the glimmers shined through everything and still do. I'm looking at the little smiling octopus stuffy named "Opie," staring at me from my desk top as I write. My oldest got it for me from Pike Place Market with her own money because she'd bought a large one for herself and a friend several weeks prior, and noticed how much I enjoyed pulling on the coiling tentacles, so curious over how they bounced back perfectly every time. She saved up for it just so I could have one, too. There's a glimmer in just about every experience, and it feels amazing to realize that. Even most of the horrors I experienced in Florida all had glimmers (of hope, at least). And the reality that bad will happen anywhere and everywhere and at any time is still a fact, but one that doesn't have to be the only truth: Good—glimmers!—is/are anywhere, everywhere, happening any time, too.
Being aware of both is healthy. But seeking the latter is powerful tool to keep on hand.
Thanks, Katie. Share saccharine things all you want! I can't imagine anyone not enjoying anything you write. And I don't think that's me seeing your writing through rose-colored, glimmery glasses, either! 😉
Oh Sara, thanks for sharing this! I'm glad, hard as it may have been, that you had the opportunity to cry things out during your trip. And I'm glad that you're starting to see more and more glimmers in life. That's beautiful and encouraging!
I also love the story about Opie. My daughter has a stuffed octopus and just the idea of her buying one for mom when she's older just made me smile. How sweet and thoughtful of your kiddo!
Wow…eerie…I read this on the way to the airport…heading to St. Pete…for the first time since my mom died there six years ago. I’ll be on the lookout for glimmers…luckily that’s pretty easy in SP!
Wow, that’s so serendipitous. I hope it’s a comforting trip and i hope you find plenty of glimmers! (Definitely easy to do in St. Pete ✨)
Reading this MSDB newsletter about glimmers was definitely a glimmer for me today. Thanks Katie. 💖
Aww, thanks Val! ✨
I absolutely love this - I think it’d be a wonderful way to teach my students about gratitude and paying attention to the positives. Wonderful way to see things.
That means a lot! Thanks, Jack ✨
Thank you Katie, I needed to hear this today.
I’m so glad ✨
This is really marvelous Katie. I’m so glad for you first of all. I had just read this post when a friend of mine let me know she was going through something really hard. The kind of thing with lots of triggers. So I sent her your post. I am really trying to change the way, I look at things as well, just realizing that so much of my stress is based on the way I look at things and what I focus on.
This means so much, Karen! Thanks for passing it along to your friend ❤️
Simple concepts are often the best concepts! I love anything that can help neutralize triggers. Glimmers are something I am going to proactively seek out.
Amen to that!
It's remarkable how shifting our perspective from focusing on triggers to actively seeking out glimmers can profoundly impact our experiences and mental well-being. Wishing you continued strength and courage on your journey of growth and self-discovery.
Thanks, Winston!
I have a shared album with my husband “glimmers of the week” where we share a picture of some “glimmer” and has helped sm
I love this!