I Focus On Glimmers Instead of Triggers In Abuse Recovery

Do you know how to focus on glimmers instead of triggers? The healing journey away from verbal abuse will consist of many elements. Individuals who face verbal abuse may have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, or anxiety. Other people's actions can often create triggers that bring back negative emotions tied to past experiences. Sometimes, these triggers can be debilitating for individuals recovering from verbal abuse. However, the term glimmers has recently become common among people familiar with triggers.

What Are Glimmers In Verbal Abuse Recovery?

Glimmers are positive elements you notice in everyday life that produce positive emotions rather than the negative ones produced by triggers. Instead of managing a life without triggers, you focus more on seeking positive experiences and feelings. Glimmers will vary from person to person, but some examples can be: 

• Enjoying nature, like a rainbow or a walk in the woods
• A friendly pet to cuddle
• Comforting smells, like baked bread or cookies
• A surprise phone call from a friend

Once you experience a glimmer, you may feel calmer, safer, and more relaxed. These special moments can help reduce your stress response and heal from verbal abuse. 

Experiencing My First Glimmer, Not Trigger, During My Verbal Abuse Recovery

I accidentally stumbled upon my first glimmer without knowing or understanding it. I was walking outside with my dogs, and when I looked up, the sky ahead of me was picturesque. The clouds were white and fluffy against the bright blue sky. I was overcome with feelings of calmness and peace as I viewed the skyline. I didn't realize what I experienced until I read more about glimmers later.

Once I recognized the benefits glimmers give me, I started focusing more on finding glimmers instead of being diligent about managing triggers. Of course, triggers are still out there every day. The difference is that I now use my mental energy to look for positive elements rather than searching for triggers to avoid. 

Making the switch from triggers to glimmers while recovering from verbal abuse can be challenging at first. It will take time to condition your brain to concentrate on positive elements. A part of my healing journey involves retraining the way I think. I found it difficult to change my thought patterns, but this task got easier over time. 

As you recover from verbal abuse, try finding a glimmer. It may surprise you how many positive elements surround you every day. This small task can bring you more peace and comfort as you heal.