What’s a Glimmer?
Glimmers are those tiny, seemingly insignificant moments when you feel a sense of joy, pleasure, peace, and gratitude. They’re often generated by simple, daily things like petting an animal, taking a hot shower, or listening to the rain outside your window.
The term “glimmers” was coined by Deb Dana, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in complex trauma. In her 2018 book, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, Dana notes that glimmers aren’t grand experiences. On the contrary, she says, “They’re micro-moments that begin to shape our system in very gentle ways.”
Some glimmer examples are:
Hearing your favorite song
Spotting a rainbow
Listening to birds singing near you
Getting a hug or caring touch, when you need it
Seeing a flower emerging, blooming in the garden
Watching a sunset
Pausing to savor a cup of coffee or tea
Seeing a hummingbird feeding on a flower
Looking at a photo of someone you love
Glimmers are everywhere. Everyone experiences them differently, however. What might spark feelings of calm or happiness in one person may be negative triggers for someone else. Glimmers are especially helpful when in a Messy Middle transition stage.
Susan’s offerings include:
Growth, Transition and Enneagram Coaching// SE Somatic Experiencing (trauma and childhood wounding healing) sessions.
For information, please email susan@intentionalgrowth.org or schedule a free Connect Call here.