Where did all the whimsy go?

TL;DR: Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. Look out for them, and you’ll find more of them, and you’re bound to feel more happiness naturally.

Hello my beautiful friends!

It’s been awhile, I know… Man, it seems like the last three months have done wonders for me mentally, physically, and spiritually, and I’ve been in a little cocoon of healing all this time. Meditation has been more frequent and easy for me, and now that the sun is going down later I finally have more time to spend outside!

I hope you are finding the same peace and wellbeing in the changing of the seasons. And since it’s spring now, and St. Patty’s Day has just passed us (my favorite holiday), I felt compelled to talk about what the fairies in my yard say is trending today: WHIMSY!

What is whimsy? When I think about it, pictures come to mind of sparkly streams hugged by lush ferns, Renaissance faires, crystal shops, old Disney movies, and Lisa Frank. I could also potentially lump Alex Grey in there, but I think his work might be a bit too edgy to be classified as whimsy.

Nevertheless, whimsy is slightly different for everyone and offers a wide range of glimmers for the everyday contemplative human to focus on! “Glimmer” is a psychological term (can you believe that? So cute!) and glimmers are the opposite of triggers. Whereas triggers send your mind and body into survival mode, glimmers are things, experiences, people, and places that actively make you smile, laugh, feel chills (in a good way), exhale completely, feel safe, and relax the muscles in your face and body.

Whenever I hear a good fiddle or flute melody, that is a glimmer for me! Other glimmers of mine include:

• wind chimes

• sound bowls

• literally any piece of jewelry (especially if it is gold/brass and sparkly)

• being near the ocean

• any instrument being played by a musician in the zone (absolutely magical)

• watching ensemble dancers on stage move in unison (also absolutely magical)

• exploring antique stores

• being with my best friends

• being with my boyfriend

• petting a dog

• picking up my cappuccino at a cafe to discover it is decorated in lovely latte art

• jazz music

• Christmas decorations

This is more than enough glimmers to keep someone feeling lighthearted for a good long while. At least, that’s what I think, since it is my personal list after all. I highly encourage you to write your own list, and see what comes out for you!

Let’s all do our part to bring whimsy back into style. Everything we think, do, and say all affect our daily experience… so it is important to deliberately look out for the things that make us happy. If you think it’s cringe, bestie, you might be depressed. (But the good news is, you can heal that too).

I hope you find a glimmer or two to fuel you up for the rest of your day.

With much love,