A ‘glimmer’ is the opposite of a trigger, and TikTok creators are embracing it
A new trend on TikTok has emerged, and it revolves around creators celebrating the “glimmers” in their lives.
Described by some as a moment that brings a person joy or a sense of calm, a glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. Licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana first introduced the term in the 2018 book “The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation.”
On June 19, San Francisco-based creator Anne Blake (@anneblake8) posted a video set to Lana del Rey’s 2012 track “Radio” revealing that she’d recently discovered what a glimmer is.
“I just learned what a ‘glimmer’ is & now I’ve been seeing them everywhere,” reads the text on her video. “Basically a glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. Like a micro moment that makes you happier, a little moment of awe, something that makes you feel hope. Once you start looking for them and embracing them your life feels so much sweeter.”
Based on the video, one of Blake’s glimmers is a time she was on the beach in Malibu.
While the term “glimmer” was created by Deb Dana, the concept itself is part of the Polyvagal theory, which was coined by behavioral neuroscientist Stephen Porges in 1995 and “describes how our autonomic nervous system (which controls involuntary actions like breathing) is searching for and reading cues to determine if they are dangerous,” according to Verywell Mind contributor and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Theodora Blanchfield.
“Just as triggers can be both internal and external—from a thought of a traumatic situation that spontaneously comes up to a song that triggers intense feelings associated with a situation—so can glimmers,” Blanchfield continued. “In fact, one person’s trigger might be another person’s glimmer.”
Per Sara M Moniuszko for USA Today, common glimmers include:
In nature, admiring your garden or seeing the stars in the sky.
Noticing a stranger’s smile or the warmth of a loved one’s voice.
Feeling comforted by furry friends.
Unexpected church bells or your favorite song playing on the radio.
‘Butterflies. Everywhere. I just stop and soak it in.’
In just two days of posting, Blake’s video has more than two million views and 400,100 likes. Fellow creators have taken to Blake’s comments to “stay on glimmertok,” acknowledge the beauty of this concept and even share their own glimmers.
“It’s a silly thing. I love going underneath bridges when it’s raining. Those 2-3 seconds where the rain stops always makes me smile,” @maryel.em wrote.
“When you set the bottle of dish soap on the sink and little bubbles shoot out,” @the_crypt_kicker_5 revealed.
“The way my pup pauses to sniff the air when a breeze hits us on our walks,” @amandae__watson replied.
“Butterflies. Everywhere. I just stop and soak it in,” @nosanitysab14 commented.
On June 20, creator Mik Zazon (@mikkzazon) also shared her glimmer — a time she was at Lake Michigan with some friends.
On June 20, Chris Jones (@chrisadamjones) also posted a video showcasing his glimmer — taking in the San Francisco sights on a sunny day.
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