GLIMMER YOUR LIFE

MOVEMENTS & MOMENTS

Creating a Lifestyle with Purpose.

In a post trauma-informed world, the concept of a "glimmer" has become increasingly relevant. A glimmer is a small moment of hope or positivity that can provide a sense of relief or comfort in the midst of the average day. It is a moment of light, a reminder that everything is possible and that in each moment there is so much imagination, creativity, love and joy in the world.

Constructing glimmer moments for ourselves each day is an important part of self-care and building resilience. Here are some tips for creating glimmer moments:

Practice gratitude: Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for. This could be as simple as a beautiful sunset, a kind word from someone, spending time with a spouse or family member, or a delicious meal.
Connect with nature: Sometimes referred to as ‘earthing’ - being outside barefoot on the earth is the fastest way to connect with the vibration of nature. Whether it's a walk on the beach or a hike through bushland trails, being outside can also provide a sense of peace.
Engage in creative activities: Writing, drawing, dancing or playing music, engaging in creative activities is a direct route to glimmer moments. These activities help us move and express our emotions while tapping into our sub-conscious - a powerful source of healing.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the purposeful attention to the present moment, without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, we can become more aware of our thoughts and feelings and we slowly learn to respond to them in a more compassionate way.
Connect with others: Building connections with others can be a powerful tool to unlocking glimmer moments. Keep this simple - the family mealtime without devices or a regular conversation with a friend. Through connecting with others, we can feel less alone and more supported.

A paper on ‘the evolution of happiness’ published in 2021 cited that “Happiness levels often fluctuate from one day to the next, and an exogenous shock such as a pandemic can likely disrupt pre-existing happiness dynamics”. Over the past few years we have all been faced with questions regarding the ‘bigger picture’. For example, where is the meaning in my life? What are my passions? and: Am I truly happy?

I’ve made a very personal decision over the past few years to not be ‘time-poor’ and to cease any buy-in whatsoever to the overwhelm and/or hustle narrative. Now my goals include looking for fun and effective ways to improve my health & wellbeing, while also being present and setting a positive example for my offspring.

Here are some of the personal ways I utilise these tips for a real-life framework:

Practice gratitude: we write down 3 things we are grateful for each day. The evening is and ideal time to do this with children, as they can reflect on real things that happened during the day. But you might choose to do this in the morning to start your own day with gratitude. Try it for a week and see how gratefulness expands!
Connect with nature: We walk a lot, often collecting leaves or twigs and talking about greenery, bees, birds and the local domestic pets through fences. We play in our yard ~ feeling the grass underfoot and spending time in the mud kitchen (yes with lots of mud). We lie on the trampoline and talk about the sky while cloud watching.
Engage in creative activities: Writing, drawing, dancing or playing music. Writing creative stories or journalling is a simple thing to do and you can combine it with the grateful exercise (above). Drawing is a fantastic activity for kids but its also very therapeutic for adults. If you feel challenged artistically I love adult mandala colouring books, we source ours from Cedric Haus. Dancing in your lounge-room or kitchen is a must! Solo or with your co-inhabitants. Music, music, music. Play it loudly, play it softly (singing in the shower is also a common occurrence in our house).
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is tricky to work into daily life but some excellent ways we have incorporated being mindful include: Mindful eating ~ chewing being present enjoying and savouring food. Mindful walking: walking backwards and forwards with awareness. Mindful hugging: giving big hugs and remaining with the breath for a few inhales and exhales.
Connect with others: Doing activities or talking about subjects that other people really like. This can be challenging! Practicing this skill will not only make you a better listener but you will start to feel more connected to the people around you.