...‘ glimmers’ are tiny micro-moments of joy that calm the nervous system and lift the spirit.
wellbeing
...‘ glimmers’ are tiny micro-moments of joy that calm the nervous system and lift the spirit.
For the uninitiated, what are“ glimmers”?
In the context of my book,‘ glimmers’ are tiny micro-moments of joy that calm the nervous system and lift the spirit. They can be as brief as three seconds and as minor as a sip of water when you’ re thirsty, but they help to reframe life and offer hope on dark days.
What first inspired you to write a book about glimmers?
When I wrote The Grief Handbook: A guide through the worst days of your life, I included a section on slices of joy, which are essentially the same thing as glimmers. So many people asked me about the slices of joy section despite it being a book about grief, that I realised we’ re all hungry for ways to incorporate more small joys into our everyday lives.
In a world often dominated by big goals and constant busyness, why do you think it ' s important to focus on these tiny moments?
If we postpone happiness until our next holiday, or delay joy until something big and wonderful happens, we’ ll spend most of our lives waiting. So much better to appreciate the tiny things that happen in our beautiful ordinary lives – and so much better for our mental health! Each glimmer is a message to our nervous systems that we can relax and unwind: that we are safe from all the many stressors that attack us each day.
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The book is structured with a glimmer for every day of the year. What was your process like in gathering or creating over 1 000 of them?
Quite delightful! I initially made one long list, but then had to cull all the repeats.( There were lots about cups of tea and back scratches and the light slanting through clouds!) I then divided them into seasons( spring, summer, autumn, winter) and themes( everything from sensory delights to physicality, work and play, nature and connection).
What would you say to someone who feels too overwhelmed or low to even start looking for glimmers?
This is the most low-key way to improve your mental health. Glimmers are all around you anyway, all you need to do is notice them. And even if you notice just one today – one tiny good thing in your day – you’ ll feel ever so slightly better. That’ s all we’ re aiming for! Not great or fantastic or wonderful, just slightly better.
Can you describe a particularly meaningful glimmer that helped you through a difficult time?
A hug from someone I love. No matter how awful the day is, I always feel ever so slightly better after getting a hug from someone I love.
Have you heard from readers about glimmers they’ ve discovered after reading the book? Any favourites?
Oh man – so many! A recent one is from a reader called Ryno who has just mastered the art of growing mint and is using freshly picked mint in his tea every morning.
What advice would you give to someone trying to create their own“ glimmer habit”?
Keep the bar for delight really low. It doesn’ t have to be anything fabulous, it can be the soft feel of your clothing against your skin, or the joy of putting your head on your pillow this evening. Also, try and make a glimmers habit – pair it with something you already do( the first sip of tea or coffee in the morning, starting up your computer …) and try to focus on one glimmer you might be able to spot that day. That’ s how I structured Daily Glimmers: to offer one small moment of inspiration for each day of the year.
Find Daily Glimmers at most major book stores and online at Takealot. com and Amazon. co. za. �
Stand a chance to win!
Two lucky readers can win a copy of Daily Glimmers, valued at R320.
To enter, scan the QR code with your phone and complete the entry form online at www. babysandbeyond. co. za / competitions /
Closing date: 28 February 2026. T & Cs apply.
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