In the aftermath of domestic violence, the journey toward healing can feel overwhelming. The weight of trauma, the pain of what was endured, and the uncertainty of the future can make each day feel like a battle. But in the midst of this darkness, there are often small, almost imperceptible sparks of light—what trauma specialists call glimmers.

What Are Glimmers?

Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. While triggers pull Survivors back into traumatic memories and emotional responses, glimmers are the tiny moments that spark safety, calm, connection, or joy. A warm cup of tea. The sound of laughter. A moment of stillness in nature. A smile from a stranger. A favorite song playing unexpectedly.

Glimmers are often brief and subtle—but powerful. They signal to the nervous system that you’re safe now. That peace is possible. That you are not stuck in survival forever.

Why Glimmers Matter in Healing from Abuse

When a Survivor begins to notice glimmers, they are not just noticing joy—they’re retraining their brain and body. After domestic violence, the nervous system is often locked in a state of hypervigilance, always on edge, always ready for danger. Glimmers help gently shift that response and remind the body that healing is happening.

This is where hope, health, and healing begin.

• Hope grows when you start seeing that good things are still possible, even after everything you’ve been through.

• Health begins to return as your body learns it doesn’t have to live in a constant state of stress and fear.

• Healing deepens every time you choose to lean into the moments that bring peace, connection, and comfort.

How to Start Noticing Glimmers

At Control Alt Delete, we believe in celebrating every step of healing—no matter how small. Glimmers are often quiet, but if you start to look for them, you’ll notice they were always there, just waiting to be seen.

Here are a few ways to tune into glimmers:

• Practice mindfulness: Pause and ask, “What feels good right now?” even if it’s something tiny.

• Keep a glimmer journal: Each night, jot down one good thing from your day, no matter how small.

• Spend time in safe places: Whether it’s your favorite chair, a trusted friend’s home, or a peaceful park, glimmers are easier to find where you feel safe.

• Surround yourself with support: Healing is never a solo journey. Supportive communities help you see glimmers more clearly.

Healing Is Not Linear—But Glimmers Help Light the Way

Healing from domestic violence is not a straight line. There are good days and hard days, moments of progress and moments of grief. But every time you notice a glimmer, you are choosing healing. You are choosing to believe in something better.

At Control Alt Delete, we see it every day—Survivors finding their way back to themselves. And it often starts with a single glimmer.

So if you’re reading this and wondering if you’ll ever feel okay again, we want you to know: You will. And it starts with noticing the glimmers.

Because hope, health, and healing happen when you focus on the glimmers of good.