Right now, the world feels overwhelming. If you’re feeling highly activated—if your nervous system is on high alert, if the uncertainty of it all has left you unsettled—it makes sense.

For many of us, current events are stirring deep feelings of fear, grief, and anger. If you’ve experienced harm at the hands of someone who faced no consequences, if you’ve lived through systems that have failed you, if your safety has felt conditional or unstable, then of course this moment is activating.

And when we feel this way, it’s easy to become consumed by distress, to feel like there’s no space for anything else. But here’s what I want you to know:

You deserve moments of relief, even in the midst of uncertainty.

One way to create that space? Finding glimmers.

Glimmers won’t fix what’s broken, and they don’t erase the very real fear or injustice in the world. But they can offer your nervous system a breath. They can remind you that in this moment, right now, you are still here.

What Are Glimmers?
Glimmers are small moments of connection, warmth, or ease—things that might not change the big picture but can offer you a tiny sense of safety in the present.

They’re the opposite of triggers. If a trigger sends your body into survival mode, a glimmer does the opposite—it tells your nervous system, for just this moment, you are okay.

A glimmer can be:

• The way your pet leans against you, warm and steady.
• The taste of your morning coffee.
• The scent of your favorite candle or body wash.
• The quiet stillness of early morning or late night.
• A song that feels like home.
• The way sunlight moves across your floor.
• A deep breath that actually feels like it lands in your body.

These moments don’t mean everything is suddenly fine. They don’t dismiss the very real struggles you’re holding. But they allow you to feel something else, too.

How to Look for Glimmers in Your Daily Life
Glimmers don’t always jump out at us, especially when we’re overwhelmed. But you can start to actively look for them.

Here’s how:

• Look for a glimmer in every room you enter. Maybe it’s a soft blanket, the way a plant leans toward the window, or a book you love sitting on a shelf.
• Find a glimmer in each interaction. A shared laugh, a kind text, a stranger holding the door open for you—small reminders of connection.
• Step outside and notice something grounding. The wind on your face, the sound of leaves rustling, the way the sky shifts at dusk.
• Tune into sensory glimmers. The warmth of a shower, the weight of a book in your hands, the first sip of tea.

The goal isn’t to force yourself to feel “better” but to gently remind yourself: There is something good in this moment, too.

Seeking Joy—Even When It Feels Hard
Beyond noticing glimmers, it’s also okay to actively seek out joy.

• Give yourself permission to do things that bring you happiness. You don’t have to earn joy. You don’t have to justify why you get to experience moments of ease.
• Curate your surroundings—physically and digitally. If certain social media accounts or news sources are making you spiral, mute or unfollow. If your physical space feels overwhelming, create small areas of comfort—a candle, a cozy chair, a playlist that soothes you.
• Be mindful of what (and who) you engage with. Even people who share your perspective can contribute to emotional exhaustion. It’s okay to take breaks from conversations that leave you feeling drained.
• Find community and connection. Fear can feel isolating, and isolation can make fear worse. Now more than ever, building relationships—whether through a supportive friend, a local meetup, or an online space—can be an essential part of feeling less alone.

Why This Matters
This is not about ignoring what’s happening in the world. It’s not about bypassing or numbing out. It’s about creating sustainability.

Because if we stay in a state of constant fear or distress, it can be hard to show up in ways that actually serve us. We deserve to engage in activism and advocacy from a place of intention, rather than survival mode. We deserve to feel connection, even in the midst of uncertainty. We deserve to live—not just endure.

Yes, dear one, the world is a lot right now. Yes, your emotions are valid. And also—you are still here. This moment is still happening. And you deserve to make space for even the smallest glimmers of light.

Thank you for letting me see you,