What are Glimmers? Spotting Joy in the Chaos.
Some moments in life feel big and obvious: the celebrations, the milestones, the heartbreaks. But often, it’s the tiny, almost invisible moments that keep us going. A bit of sunlight on your skin. The smell of fresh coffee. The sound of your child’s laughter drifting from another room.
These are glimmers - small sparks of joy or calm that reminds us we’re still here, still connected to something good. I didn’t know just how much I’d need them until the world turned upside down.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, I, like millions of others, found myself suddenly at home with my kids. At first, I threw myself into “fun mom” mode - planning activities, crafts, and extra connection time. We stayed busy, filling our days while the world went quiet.
Any support we’d had, already minimal, disappeared overnight.
For a while, I kept up. I juggled caring for my then 7- and 3-year-old with my work as a therapist and all the other responsibilities of life. But as the weeks stretched into months, the exhaustion set in. I realized I couldn’t keep running at the same pace. Something had to shift.
That’s when I started leaning on the little joys more than ever. I began looking for glimmers - small, bright moments that spark a sense of hope or delight. Sunshine warming my face. A flower bud ready to bloom. The slow, grounding ritual of baking bread. Watering my seedlings. FaceTiming a friend. Dancing in the living room. Wrapping up in a cozy blanket. Taking a walk through the neighborhood with our puppy.
These glimmers became my oxygen. They reminded me there was still beauty and goodness in the world, even during an unbelievably stressful and lonely time.
I’ve always been someone who notices the small things, but during the pandemic, this practice became my lifeline. It kept me tethered to light when everything felt dark.
Five years later, I still seek out glimmers every day. For me, it’s a form of meditation—noticing—and gratitude—appreciating—the little joys that are everywhere, waiting for us to see them.
Ready to start noticing more, and finding your joy?
Hi! I’m Robyn Alagona Cutler, LMFT
a mom of two, licensed therapist, and advocate for women navigating the messy, meaningful transitions of motherhood and beyond.
I’ve supported parents for over 25 years, combining deep clinical expertise with authentic, relatable humanity.
I’ve walked through parenting trenches myself—identity shifts, burnout, relationship changes, anxiety, perimenopause, and self-discovery. I offer more than therapy—I offer space: where you can take a deep breath, let your guard down, and finally feel seen.