As we stand at the edge of another year, ready to leap into the exciting blank canvas that is 2025, I often find myself caught in a whirl of mixed emotions.
On one hand, there's the thrill of stepping into the new year, yet on the other, that persistent pressure to reflect on the goals we may not have quite hit. But, what if we shift the focus? Instead of mulling over what didn't happen, let's celebrate the brilliance of the moments that did—those glimmer moments.
Glimmer moments are those small, magical fragments of joy that light up our lives when we pause to notice them. This concept comes from an amazing psychotherapist named Deb Dana, who describes them as the opposite of triggers. Where triggers ignite stress, glimmers bring calm, connection and joy. They’re unique to each one of us and have the power to transform our outlook on life.
Reflecting on and appreciating these glimmers has a profound impact on our mental health. There’s science behind this too—gratitude rewires our brain, helping us feel calmer and more connected. As Oprah Winfrey beautifully puts it, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Recognising glimmers isn’t just a nice idea; it's a necessity—an act of self-care rooting us in the present.
This ritual of reflecting on glimmers, something I do every New Year's Eve, always brings a broad smile to my face. It grounds me in gratitude, reminding me of how much I've grown and achieved. Why don’t you give it a shot this year? Set aside some time on December 31st to reflect on the past year's glimmers. You might be surprised at how this exercise slows down an otherwise fleeting year and shifts your perspective to appreciate the joy that unfolded.
If you feel inspired to share, I'd love to hear about your glimmer moments; reach out, send a message or comment where you’re reading this. Let’s keep celebrating together. Have a truly remarkable end of 2024, and until next time, keep finding and cherishing those glimmers.
This time of year I find is always full of so many mixed [00:01:00] emotions. you know, there might be excitement for what's ahead, but potentially also that nagging pressure To reflect on goals that you set, but you didn't quite achieve.
Today, I want to shift the focus instead of dwelling on what didn't happen. Let's celebrate the brilliance of the moments that did. I call these those glimmer moments, those small magical fragments of joy that will light up our lives. when we take the time to notice them. This episode is all about finding your glimmers, reflecting on the year that was, and carrying those moments of joy into next year.
right? For many of us, it's [:
And let's not even talk about all the incredible upheaval that's been going on in the world. But here's what I notice every single year. We tend to, if we're not careful, zero in on what we haven't achieved. That one project that didn't land. Those sales that didn't come through. That milestone that was missed.
Does this sound familiar? So what if instead we paused for a second and celebrated the glimmers? The small but profound moments that made our year amazing. These are the moments that hold the magic. A kind word from a stranger. It could be the way your child hugged you one morning. The success of a client.
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As she says, triggers are the very things that activate the stress in our nervous system. But here's the difference. Glimmers. They bring calm, they connection, and they bring joy. And the beauty of glimmers is that they're unique to each and every single one of us. When I think about this year, it's been filled with so many glimmer moments.
You know, watching my son dance with his granny at his 21st birthday party. Ah, gosh, it fills me with joy seeing all three of my kids who are now 16, 19 and 21 heading out together. You know, those moments that you hope they're going to connect where they're laughing and they're chatting like best friends.
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And it's a moment that could have been frustration, frustrating, but instead it turned into fits of giggles and a story I'll never forget. There were the stunning sunrises that reminded me of life's beauty. You know, sharing a glass of wine with my husband Jason as we watched whales breaching so close to shore.
And, and the amazing look and excitement in my daughter Taya's face when she got into the university that she dreamed of always attending. You know, these glimmers, they weren't grand events. They were moments of connection, of joy, of being truly present. And I wonder. What are your glimmers from this last year?
now, maybe it's the smell of [:
Let me share something magical that we did recently at my end of year planning event in Sydney with my Elevate and Inner Circle clients. We were reflecting on the year that was and, you know, asking all the usual questions. What were your wins this year? What are the major milestones that you've hit?
What are some of the things that you've missed and what are some of those difficult things you've got through? What have you learned through this process? All those usual reflection questions. And. The final part of this exercise, I asked everyone to pull out their phones. And I asked them to go month by month through their photos on their phone.
to work through those photos [:
This energy was contagious. Some people even got really teary as they realized just how much joy and just how much progress their year had actually held. You know, it's such a powerful reminder that even in the busiest, the most challenging years, these glimmers are there waiting for us to notice them.
es and look back through our [:
It helps us feel calmer and feel more connected Psychotherapist Deb Dana says glimmers actually activate our body's rest and digest system, calms the nervous system and fosters this sense of safety and connection. And I love this quote by Oprah Winfrey, she said,
"the more you praise and celebrate your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate."
lly an act of self care that [:
But as we reflected, we reframed the story that she was telling herself, because actually as we reflected. On the business that she had built over two decades, and we asked and unpacked what that business had actually gifted. The reframe was incredible because that business had gifted her a beautiful home, her children's education, getting through a divorce.
undation, to help her create [:
Your glimmers remind you to shift that perspective. Now here's something I will be doing on New Year's Eve. I do it every single New Year's Eve. It's a ritual of mine and I do it before I head out for any celebrations. I take a moment, I grab my journal and I do that scrolling through my phone photos exercise. I sit and I go through it month by month, looking at my photos, reliving those moments that mattered.
ote down the glimmer moments [:
Why don't you give that a go? Why don't you start your own ritual this New Year's Eve and begin by setting that time aside. this week, put the time in your diary so you don't forget on the 31st of December and set that time aside to go through your phone and like I do every single month, jot down those glimmers that stand out for you.
tually allows you to reflect.[:
On all the incredible things that you have done every single month of this last year. And as we close out this year, I want to remind you of something. You are amazing. This year has been filled with glimmer moments that are proof of your resilience, of your growth, of your brilliance. Please take some time to celebrate them, to celebrate you.
And as we step into a brand new year, let's keep this practice alive. Let's every single month notice the glimmers, they're not just small moments, they're stepping stones to a joyful, fulfilling life. And if you reflect on your glimmers, I'd really love to hear about them from you, send me a message.
