The Power of Noticing Joy & Glimmers Everyday

Let’s be real—some days feel like a lot.The world can feel heavy, headlines overwhelming, and our personal lives aren't always fair or easy. But even in the midst of challenge or chaos, there’s something powerful we can do: we can train our brains to notice the good.

It’s not toxic positivity or pretending things are okay when they’re not—it’s about building awareness. It’s about finding the glimmers, those tiny sparks of joy, peace, or comfort that are already present in your day if you pause long enough to notice.

Why It Matters

Our brains come preloaded with something called a negativity bias—a built-in survival mechanism that helps us scan for danger and protect ourselves. It’s great for surviving, but not always great for thriving. If we’re not careful, we’ll only see what’s going wrong and miss everything that’s going right.

That’s where brain training comes in. You can build new neural pathways that help you notice and savor what’s going well. It takes practice, but over time, it becomes more natural—and more joyful.

4 Ways to Invite More Joy + Glimmers into Your Day

🌱 1. Start a Simple Gratitude Practice

Each day—morning or evening—jot down three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big:

• A warm cup of tea

• A quiet moment before the day begins

• A kind text from a friend

Write them down and pause to feel the gratitude. This isn’t just journaling—it’s rewiring your brain to look for the good, again and again.

🌸 2. Practice Mindful Noticing

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be fancy or formal. It’s simply about slowing down enough to notice:

• The scent of spring blooms on your walk

• The feeling of sunshine on your face

• The sound of your favorite music

When you notice these small moments, they become grounding. They pull you back into the present, where you’re safe and steady, instead of lost in anxious future thoughts.

☀️ 3. Name Your Glimmers

Throughout your day, try this: when something feels good, name it. That little burst of laughter with a coworker? That’s a glimmer. The way your pet greets you at the door? Glimmer. That deep breath at the end of a long day? Glimmer.

Naming it gives it weight. It tells your brain, pay attention—this matters.

🎯 4. Be Deliberate About Joy

Don’t just wait for joy to surprise you—plan for it. When life feels out of control, one empowering thing you can do is choose small actions that spark joy and help you feel more like you.Think about what lifts your spirits and be intentional about scheduling it in:

• Meet up with a friend for a cozy catch-up

• Grab a fun fruity drink just because

• Book that yoga class you’ve been meaning to take

• Plan a walk in your favorite park or make a playlist for the week

  
  

These moments don’t have to be grand—but they do need to be yours. When you give yourself something to look forward to, you’re not just finding joy—you’re creating it.

In Closing…

It’s okay if joy doesn’t feel easy right now. That doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong—it means you’re human.

But even within the mess and the noise, you can train your brain to notice the good.You can ground yourself in what’s here.You can take small, deliberate steps toward more light, more connection, more you.

And you deserve that.

So go ahead—look for the glimmers, and let them in.✨