Finding Glimmers in the Noise

Written By Mara Tarnopol

I’ve been thinking about Glimmers. Some days, it feels like the world is shouting. News alerts, social media opinions, endless to-do lists…. it’s all noise. This season of life brings me both newfound freedom and unexpected overwhelm. My daughter is grown, life may be shifting and yet the mind still buzzes with responsibility and “shoulds.”

It’s essential for me to tune into the glimmers…i.e. fleeting, quiet moments that spark calm, gratitude, and joy.

What Are Glimmers?

If “triggers” are what set off our stress responses, glimmers are their gentle antidotes. Coined by therapist Deb Dana, glimmers are the small, everyday experiences that remind us life is still beautiful — the warmth of morning light, the sound of laughter, or the scent of coffee brewing.

They don’t erase life’s challenges, but they help ground us in the present, reconnecting us to ourselves.

Why They Matter (Especially Now)

As we age, our nervous systems crave regulation and calm more than ever. Focusing on glimmers shifts us from constant fight-or-flight into a place of rest and receptivity. They help rewire the brain for gratitude and resilience.

How to Find Your Glimmers

Glimmers are all around. You just have to notice them. I start with intention: look for moments that make me feel even slightly lighter. Then I build small rituals that help those moments multiply.

Here are a few ideas to start creating your own pockets of joy:

✨ Listen

  • Music: Create a curated playlist or revisit a favorite album that stirs nostalgia or lifts you. Whether it’s David Bowie, The Beatles or a soft and gentle mix, let the sound become your reset button.

  • Podcasts that soothe, inspire or make me giggle:

    • The Mel Robbins Podcast – straight-talking motivation and science-backed tools to build confidence and momentum.

    • For Fun Smartness Podcast – a refreshing mix of humor and insight to brighten your commute or morning walk.

    • The Daily Calm – short reflections to center your day.

🎨 Create

  • A creative hobby that engages your hands and quiets your mind — painting, knitting, journaling, or gardening. (mine is Photography!)

  • I want to try collage journaling — a mix of words and visuals that capture what’s catching my attention.

  • Make a digital or physical mood board — gather images, words, and colors that represent how you want to feel in this chapter of life. Pinterest works beautifully, or you can go old-school with scissors and magazines.

  •  Explore writing letters to your younger self or using writing prompt books as a form of gentle reflection. It’s a way to examine how far you’ve come and reconnect with parts of yourself you may have forgotten. These prompts can turn nostalgia into healing and awareness into growth.

🌿 Move

  • Gentle yoga or Pilates can reset your nervous system and reconnect you to your body.

  • “Silent morning stretches” — five minutes of slow movement before looking at the phone when the day begins.

  • Dance in your kitchen to your favorite 70’s or 80s playlist - …maybe with your dog — it counts, right?

  • Waking early to watch the sunrise (my favorite)

  • And if you want to deepen your connection with the world around you, try an Awe Walk — a practice highlighted in a New York Times article, “How to Be Awed”, which encourages you to move slowly and notice the wonder in your surroundings, from the shape of a leaf to the sound of birds. It’s mindfulness in motion!

    ☕ Nourish

  • Create a morning or evening ritual — a few minutes of quiet with yourself.

  • Try cooking something just for you. Need inspiration? Try these masters who make food feel comforting, approachable, and full of delisiousness:

  • Put on a YouTube fireplace video or nature screen — the crackle of logs, ocean waves, or forest sounds can transform an ordinary room day or night.

    💬 Connect

    • Reach out to a friend and share a favorite memory — something that makes you both smile. It’s amazing how remembering a shared laugh or old story can instantly lift someone.

    • Send a quick voice note or text just to say you’re thinking of someone. Small gestures build deep bonds.

    • Perform a random act of kindness — buy coffee for the person behind you, Hold the door for someone, send flowers to someone who needs a lift, or leave a kind note for a neighbor. Sometimes the quickest way to find a glimmer is to be one.

    • Try joining a local class or book club — connection thrives in shared curiosity. My photography group is a highlight of my week!

      A Gentle Reminder

You don’t have to make big changes to feel more alive. Life’s magic often hides in the smallest things; the softness of a blanket, the song that takes you back, the smile from a stranger.

The more you notice your glimmers, the more they’ll appear.

you are still here — and there is still light.

Mara Tarnopol
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