Leaning into glimmers
The definition of Glimmers
As triggers are the alarms that signal danger, glimmers are the gentle whispers of safety and security. When we tune into glimmers, our bodies activate the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for regulation and healing, allowing us to experience a sense of calmness and connection.
Deb Dana who coined the term glimmers says “Trauma reshapes our system so that we are more prone to pathways of protection than pathways of connection.” This keeps us in a survival state instead of a thriving state”
Our ventral vagal system utilizes glimmers as a means of making us feel at ease, safe, and connected to ourselves and others.
The essence of glimmers
Glimmers are personal to you, that speak to what makes you feel authentically calm, at peace, and safe. Therefore what works for someone else, may not work for you and vice versa.
Glimmers feel like a full body yes, a deep sigh, a connection to yourself and center.
They can be micro-moments of feeling safe and joy, ease, and connection.
Some of my recent glimmers have been sitting in the sun, connecting with the Earth, reading in a cozy robe, and taking in moments of connection with friends.
Glimmers as a guide
One of the most nourishing and accessible tools you can use to heal your nervous system and move towards regulation is to get to know your glimmers, how they feel, and when to integrate them.
Getting to know your glimmers can help you see which modalities, and practices work for you and your nervous system and which don’t.
With the rise and fall of wellness trends, I’ve often felt pressure to jump into the “next thing” as a means to heal my nervous system and then been confused when I didn’t feel more at ease. For example, cold plunges are not recommended if you experience chronic stress or trauma, as it’s likely your body is already operating from a ventral vagal state of freeze.
There are different times we need to use different tools, but pleasure, glimmers, and knowing you “yes” are guaranteed ways to develop safety within your nervous system.
If a day in nature feels more nourishing than a seated meditation practice that just feels off -that can be a sign of where you can integrate a glimmer-based practice to get back to a regulated state.
After all, truly healing our bodies comes when we are operating from a place of safety and connection.
Glimmer-based living as a form of reclaiming,
Cognitively focusing on healing and trauma recovery may keep us in closer approximation to our triggers, than our glimmers (one of the many reasons why I center my practice in aliveness)
By allowing more pleasure into our lives we are actively embodying the actions and behaviors that align with how we want to show up in our lives work and communities and encourage others to do the same.
FIND YOUR GLIMMERS
1. Build up your glimmer toolbox - make a list of all the things/moments/ that felt like a deep breath moment of ease, or brought up joy
2. Write down a glimmer each day
3. Own your pleasure - Notice if you feel like you restrict yourself from experiencing glimmers or feel unworthy - how does this connect to deservingness?
