Noticing Glimmers
As we move through 2026, I invite you to the practice of noticing glimmers.
In the world of coaching and identity shifts, we often talk about triggers—those sharp moments that send us into a spiral of anxiety or defensiveness. But there is a counterbalance to the trigger, a concept coined by social worker Deb Dana called Glimmers. [1]
What is a Glimmer?
If a trigger is a red alert for your nervous system, a glimmer is a green light.
Derived from Polyvagal Theory, glimmers are micro-moments of joy, safety, or connection. They are not grand milestones or "toxic positivity." They don't ask you to ignore your pain or the "unraveling" you might be feeling in a season of transition. Instead, they remind your nervous system that it is safe to come back to the present moment. [2]
A glimmer might be:
The specific way the light hits the floor at 4:00 PM.
The smell of rain on hot pavement.
An unexpected idea or recognition
The weight of a well-worn ceramic mug in your hands.
The moment of "awe" when you see a bird in flight.
Why Glimmers Are Beneficial
Change, whether good or bad, chosen or unexpected, is typically experienced as stress in the body. Our nervous systems move into a state of "high alert." We are activated and scan for threats, worried about the future, or grieving the past. Our brain longs to keep us safe, to maintain the status quo, even if it is clinging on to something that no longer serves us.
Noticing glimmers acts as a nervous system regulator. Each time you acknowledge a glimmer, you are sending a signal to your ventral vagal nerve—the part of you responsible for social engagement and calm—that you are safe. Over time, these micro-moments accumulate, gently reshaping your resilience and helping you "weave" a more stable internal foundation. [3]
A Global Thread: Glimmers Across Cultures
While the term "glimmer" is modern, the practice of noticing the small, the fleeting, and the beautiful is woven into the DNA of global traditions:
Ubuntu (Southern Africa): Often translated as "I am because we are," Ubuntu finds glimmers in the micro-moments of human connection. It is the recognition of a stranger’s dignity or the small, shared laugh between neighbors. In many African traditions, "good news" is not an individual possession but a communal thread; noticing a glimmer in someone else is considered a way to bolster your own spirit and the strength of the collective. [5]
Wabi-sabi (Japan): The aesthetic and spiritual practice of finding beauty in imperfection and the transience of nature. It is the ultimate "glimmer" philosophy—noticing the grace in a cracked tea bowl or a falling leaf.
Savoring (Psychology/Global): Many cultures practice "savoring" through communal meals or tea ceremonies, where the focus is narrowed to the sensory experience of the moment to prolong positive emotions. [4]
Contemplative Prayer & Mindfulness: From the Celtic "thin places" to Buddhist "mindful breathing," spiritual traditions have long urged us to pause and notice the Divine or the "Suchness" of life in the mundane.
These practices encourage spaciousness and connection. They allow us to choose where we place our attention.
The 2026 Challenge: How to Notice
Even in the hardest seasons, the nervous system can hold both pain and beauty at the same time. You don't have to choose one or the other. You just have to notice the threads of light and use them as nourishment and a solid foundation upon which to build your own resilience.
What you focus on grows. But to focus, you first have to notice. Here is how to begin:
Look for the little things: Don't look for the fireworks; look for the way the steam rises off your coffee.
Use Your Senses: What is one thing you can hear, smell, or feel right now that gives you a tiny spark of energy?
Name It: When you find one, say to yourself (or out loud), "That’s a glimmer" and notice how your body feels. This simple act of naming helps "anchor" the feeling in your body.
What glimmers have you noticed recently?
References
[1] Dana, D. (2018). The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.
[2] Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.
[3] Hanson, R. (2013). Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence. Harmony.
[4] Bryant, F. B., & Veroff, J. (2007). Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
[5] Tutu, D. (1999). No Future Without Forgiveness. Image.
[6] Newell, J. P. (1997). Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality. Paulist Press.
[7] Hanh, T. N. (1991). The Miracle of Mindfulness. Beacon Press.