January Journal Writing Prompts

Glimmers: Small Moments That Gently Hold Us

Lately, I’ve been returning again and again to the word glimmers.

Not because life suddenly feels light or easy—but because glimmers remind us that even inside hard seasons, there are still moments that offer steadiness, warmth, and connection.

A glimmer is not a big joy.
It’s not a milestone.
It’s not a “look on the bright side” moment.

A glimmer is small. Quiet. Often fleeting.

It might be the way morning light lands on the wall.
The feel of a warm mug in your hands.
A deep breath you didn’t realize you were holding.
The sound of pages turning.
A moment where your body softens instead of braces.

These moments matter more than we think.

Where the word “glimmers” comes from

The term glimmers is often attributed to Deb Dana, a clinician and author who writes extensively about nervous system regulation through the lens of Polyvagal Theory.

In her work, glimmers are described as the opposite of triggers.

If triggers are moments that send our nervous system into protection—fight, flight, freeze—then glimmers are moments that signal safety.

They are cues that tell the body:

You’re okay right now.
You can soften.
You don’t have to brace.

What’s important to understand is that glimmers are not about forcing positivity. They don’t erase grief, trauma, stress, or loss. Instead, they coexist with all of it.

You can be grieving and still notice the comfort of your favorite chair.
You can be overwhelmed and still feel soothed by a familiar song.
You can be exhausted and still experience one gentle moment of ease.

Why glimmers are so powerful

Our nervous systems are incredibly good at scanning for danger. This is not a flaw—it’s biology. But over time, especially during prolonged stress or grief, we can become over-attuned to what’s wrong, hard, or threatening.

Glimmers help restore balance.

When we notice them, name them, or write them down, we gently train our system to also recognize moments of safety and regulation. Over time, this noticing can help us feel more grounded, more present, and more emotionally resilient.

Not because life becomes easier—but because our bodies learn they are not always under threat.

Glimmers and journaling

Journaling is one of the simplest ways to work with glimmers.

Not as a productivity tool.
Not as self-improvement.
But as a quiet witnessing.

You don’t have to write paragraphs.
A word is enough.
A sentence.
A sketch.
A scrap of paper glued down.

Questions like:

• What softened me today?

• Where did I feel a small sense of okay-ness?

• What moment did my body respond to with ease?

These are not questions that demand answers. They are invitations.

A gentle reminder

Glimmers don’t ask us to be grateful when we’re not ready.
They don’t rush healing.
They don’t insist we feel happy.

They simply say:

This moment mattered.
This breath counted.
You were held here, even briefly.

And sometimes, that is more than enough.