What are Glimmers? And why are they important in chronic conditions?
Glimmers are something that I love and spend my spoons on. But what are they? Glimmers are tiny life sparks, those little moments of “yes” in a bland world. When ever I feel overwhelmed by pain, it can feel like it will last forever, so for me, what helps a lot is knowing the glimmers are out there waiting for me to find them.
A glimmer isn’t a huge thing like a holiday or a job promotion. It is simply a micro moment of calm, joy, connection, safety, clarity. Glimmers are important because they can really help soothe the nervous system.
My favourite glimmers include the way my cat's tail curls when she is happy, the sound of birds trilling, the smell of my favourite food, the feeling of my neighbours dogs fur when I stroke it as it sits on my lap, the way the sun warms my face on a sunny day.
Glimmers in a chronic world
Living with hypermobile Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome means not just managing physical pain but also negotiating a brain and nervous system that has learned to remain on high alert.
Your body is basically an expert on detecting threats (because, whoops, there have been a few), but it’s surprisingly bad at noticing the good stuff automatically. That’s where glimmers sneak in.
Here is why they are so important
They help rebalance your nervous system
Your system scans constantly for danger. So finding glimmers is a way to remind it that NOT EVERYTHING is about danger.
But this isn’t about pretending pain doesn’t exist. It is more about helping your physiology know you can feel safe sometimes.
They create tiny resets
When pain dominates, the brain can get stuck looking for what’s wrong. Over and over again and then boom - overstimulation!
By noticing glimmers, this helps to interrupt that looping and so you can breathe a little bit. And avoid staying to over stimulating and coming out off the very unsustainable fight/flight/freeze mode all day.
They build up
One moment and one glimmer might feel fleeting. But as you practice it, then you start spotting so many more and more often.
This then changes how you and your nervous system experiences the world as a whole.
They become new memories
And once you have felt them build up, then you know that you can revisit them and actively search for them as and when you need them.
So I know my cat and her tail are always around for me to have a look and a cuddle.
This isn't about trying to be positive or find the silver lining in everything. This is more about noticing the small joyful moments to help soothe your nervous system. And by practising this daily or when you can means that you know that you can always find a way to find the glimmers when you need to help move your system away from pain. Not to feel less pain but to experience other things, other than pain.
How to work with glimmers
Find them
Pay attention, look out for them or sense them. They are individual to you but slow down when you feel a sense of safety or delight or calm or joy.
Let it land and enjoy it!
Name it
That taste of your favourite snack, soft, crunchy, sweet, savoury.
The feeling of warmth of that electric blanket, shower or bath.
Whatever your glimmer is describe it to yourself.
Repeat again
Return to that glimmer and repeat so you feel the feeling land again and again.
In this way you get used to the feelings of calm and joy to soothe your system.
Share it
Share with someone safe your favourite glimmers.
This is what I have done in this blog post, shared my favourite ones with you because that shared experience ensures even more connection and soothing.
When you live with chronic conditions like hEDS, you already know it’s the little wins that count. A cup of tea that tastes just....hmmmm perfect, a meme someones sends you and you belly laugh, a moment where the pain reduces just a tad. Those are the glimmers that help and they deserver their day in the warm sunshine as well. Just like you.
May you always notice the glimmers!
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