Finding Light in the Dark: The Power of Glimmers by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Have you ever felt like the world is just too much? Like stress, grief, or the constant stream of heartbreaking news is weighing you down? If you’re a sensitive or neurodivergent person, you probably feel things deeply—so deeply that it can feel overwhelming at times.

When life feels heavy, it’s easy to get lost in the darkness. But what if I told you that small, fleeting moments—glimmers—could be your lifeline?

What Are Glimmers and Why Do They Matter?

Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. They’re small moments that bring a sense of peace, joy, or connection. They can be as simple as:

The feeling of sunshine on your face
Watching your pet’s excitement over something small
A song that lifts your mood
A moment of kindness from a stranger

These moments may seem insignificant, but they are actually powerful tools for regulating the nervous system. When we’re overwhelmed, our bodies go into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode. But when we intentionally notice glimmers, we send a signal to our nervous system that we are safe, allowing us to shift out of survival mode.

For sensitive and neurodivergent individuals, this is especially important because our nervous systems tend to absorb stress and emotions deeply. Without mindful practices to balance that, we can easily experience burnout, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion.

How Glimmers Have Helped Me Through Grief

I recently had a moment where grief hit me like a wave. I was reading past messages from my mom—something I do to feel close to her—and suddenly, the loss felt raw all over again. I burst into tears. The pain was deep, and for a moment, it felt like too much.

But then, I took a deep breath. I looked around. I noticed my dog, Niko, watching me with his usual loving, joyful energy. Just seeing his excitement and love for life made something inside me soften. His happiness reminded me that joy still exists, even in grief.

That was a glimmer—a small moment that didn’t erase my sadness, but softened the edges of it.

Since my mom’s passing, I’ve realized that resilience isn’t always about pushing through. It can also mean allowing yourself to feel, to pause, to hold onto the little moments that bring relief. Resilience doesn’t have to be big and bold—it can be quiet, gentle, and deeply personal.

How to Train Your Brain to See Glimmers

Glimmers are always around us, but we have to train our brains to notice them. This is especially important if you struggle with anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm. Here are some ways to start:

Pause for 5 Seconds: When you notice a glimmer—a moment of peace, joy, or comfort—pause. Let yourself feel it for at least five seconds. The longer you focus on it, the more your brain will reinforce the positive experience.

Practice Gratitude Scanning: At the end of each day, take a few moments to reflect on one small thing that brought you joy. It could be the smell of your morning coffee, a smile from a loved one, or a moment of silence you cherished.

Use Mindful Check-Ins: Every time you go to the bathroom, take a moment to check in with yourself. Ask, “How am I feeling? What do I need right now?” This helps you become more aware of your emotions and find small ways to support yourself.

Try Photo Journaling: Take photos of things that bring you joy—a beautiful sky, your pet’s happy face, a cozy corner of your home. Looking back at these images can help reinforce positive experiences.

Overcoming Barriers to Noticing Glimmers

Even when we know the importance of glimmers, it can be hard to actually find them—especially during tough times. Here are some common obstacles and how to work through them:

Guilt – It’s easy to feel guilty for finding joy when there’s so much pain in the world. But remember: Your well-being matters. Taking care of yourself allows you to show up more fully for others.

Perfectionism – You don’t need a big or perfect moment for it to count as a glimmer. Even something as small as the warmth of a blanket or the sound of rain outside your window is enough.

Overstimulation & Busyness – If your life feels too chaotic to notice glimmers, try building in tiny moments of mindfulness. Even taking two deep breaths before opening an email can be a powerful reset.

Glimmers Are Everywhere—We Just Have to Look

The truth is, glimmers are always around us. They don’t erase our struggles, but they do help us hold on. They remind us that even in the darkest times, beauty, joy, and connection still exist.

Today, I invite you to notice just one small thing that brings you joy. It doesn’t have to be big—just something that makes you pause and breathe a little easier.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to listen to this week’s episode of The Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast. I’ll walk you through how to train your brain to find glimmers, share my personal experiences with grief and resilience, and offer practical ways to bring more light into your life.

In this episode, I explore the power of glimmers—those tiny sparks of joy or comfort that remind us life still holds beauty, even in the hardest times. I share my journey with grief, the way unexpected waves of sadness still hit me, and how I’ve learned to anchor myself in small, beautiful moments when everything feels overwhelming.

If this episode resonates with you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need a little extra support. You never know whose heart you might touch. 💛

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Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. She is known for developing innovative, easy-to-implement tools that help balance the sensitive nervous system, reduce challenges, and empower individuals to excel in their unique talents. Julie has created a global hub of support, including online courses, the Sensitive Empowerment Community—a nurturing sanctuary for sensitive and neurodivergent individuals—a globally top-ranked podcast, articles, free webinars, and more. Her passion is helping to create a world where differences are embraced as strengths and celebrated. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.

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