Have you heard of glimmers?
I have read about them a lot recently. Glimmers are small joys – the every day things that make you smile – or maybe something surprising that you saw (think rainbows, squirrels, a cute dog, seeing the sunrise…).
They are things that make you feel happy, grateful or even at peace. (In others words, all the good emotions).
And do you know what – they are EVERYWHERE.
AND… the more you notice them, the more you will see.
Recently, my mental health hasn’t been the best. I have let life get a little too busy – and it’s overwhelmed me. It’s also affected my physical health – I have spent the last week on to sofa with a hideous cold (that I am still not really recovered from). My immune system has been crying out for rest – and this week finally it made me stop.
And lying there, barely moving – that’s where I read about glimmers. To be honest – I did read about them before, but was too busy (or so I thought) to pay much attention
Initially I didn’t see them, but slowly – as my mind started to calm down – I started to see them.
Bright blue skies. Autumn colours. A chance sighting of a fox in the garden. There was something every day – even without leaving the house.
Of course – when I felt better and got outside… well there were glimmers everywhere.
But why am I telling you all of this?
Well – for one, I feel talking about our mental health is important.
The prevalence (ooo big word for me) of social media posts about perfect homes and perfect lives. Of people who seemingly balance being the perfect parent, housekeeper, employee as well as fitting in a full fitness regime and fabulous social life – all that gives us unrealistic expectations of what life should be.
Deep down – we know it’s unrealistic – but somehow, we still try to do it all. At the same time. Perfectly.
The result? Well – often stress, overwhelm, and, if you aren’t careful, illness.
What we need to do is scroll less – live more. (Please don’t stop scrolling altogether – many people’s businesses depend on at least a bit of scrollng including mine)
SLOW DOWN. Enjoy life… then, and only then, will you really appreciate those glimmers. Glimmers that grow.
The second reason I am telling you all this is that I intend to start capturing the glimmers i see each day. I may photograph them. I may draw them. I may even do both. Or maybe some I may just write down.
The important thing is to record them – keep them somewhere. Then on the days where life feels too much, or you simply need a little lift, you can look back and remember. Those glimmers will light a spark.
I’ll post my glimmers on social media – the drawn ones at least. Originally I thought I would do that every day – but then I realised that would add pressure to my day – totally against the whole process, wouldn’t you agree?
Maybe I will tell you one each day – just a quick note – maybe I will draw them all, maybe I will draw the most special ones. Who knows. I am not planning this – I have learned that if you try to force the glimmers, they may just disappear, and I definitely don’t want that.
This week, I took some photos – and I did sketch quite a few – because along with the glimmers came strength and inspiration. They are dotted about this blog – I hope you have liked them. And if you did – maybe you would like to follow by Facebook and Insta pages to see what else I see…. maybe you will start to see you own glimmers. I really do hope so.
I truly hope you see your own glimmers and build yourself a joyful world.
Much love, Jac