Glimmers of Gratitude: A Mom’s Guide to Finding Joy in the Chaos
Let’s cut straight to it:
You haven’t eaten a proper meal today. Your phone shows 47 unread messages. And you’re pretty sure you’ve said “just a minute” at least hundred times since breakfast.
Some days motherhood feels like survival mode. And if one more person tells you to “enjoy every moment” or “practice self-care,” you might actually lose it.
But here’s something different: glimmers of gratitude. Not another item for your to-do list. Not some complicated gratitude practice. Just tiny moments that remind you you’re doing better than you think - even on the hardest days.
Related Reading: 5 Triggers Behind What Causes Mom Rage and How to Overcome Them
What Are Glimmers of Gratitude?
They’re the opposite of triggers. Instead of those moments that make you want to hide in the pantry (you know the ones), glimmers are those brief seconds when things feel… okay. Maybe even good.
Not the staged Instagram moments. Not the “my kids are always angels” highlight reel. Real moments:
That first sip of coffee before anyone needs you
Your kid’s genuine belly laugh at their own joke
The quiet car ride after school drop-off
The sun on your face during a quick backyard escape
Why Glimmers Matter (Especially for Burnt-Out Moms)
Let’s be real: You don’t need another self-care checklist or mindfulness practice. You need something that works in real life, between the chaos and the carpools.
Glimmers aren’t about adding one more thing to your mental load. They’re about catching the good moments that are already happening - even on the days when everything feels like too much. Think of them as tiny lifelines on those days when motherhood feels overwhelming. Not because they fix everything, but because they remind you that not everything needs fixing.
Continued Reading From My Blog: Self-Compassion in Motherhood
How to Start Noticing Glimmers (Without Losing Your Mind)
No, this isn’t another “just meditate for an hour” suggestion. You’re busy. You’re tired. And most days, you barely have time to pee alone. But here’s the thing about glimmers of gratitude - they don’t need extra time. They just need a split second of noticing.
Slow Down (Even for a Few Seconds):
You don’t have to stop your life or find magical extra hours. Maybe it’s those three deep breaths while waiting in the school pickup line. Or that moment when you’re filling your water bottle and everyone happens to be quietly occupied. These tiny pauses are where glimmers love to hide.
Tune Into Your Senses:
Your senses are direct pathways to glimmers. The warmth of your coffee mug against your palms. The sound of your kid humming while they draw. That first blast of AC when you get back in your car. These aren’t just random sensations - they’re potential glimmers of gratitude waiting to be noticed.
Focus on Gratitude:
This isn’t about forcing positivity or pretending everything’s perfect. It’s about catching those fleeting moments when something feels good.
When your toddler actually puts their shoes on the first time you ask.
When you find a forgotten chocolate bar in your drawer.
When your partner handles bedtime without being asked.
These moments are already happening - we’re just learning to notice them.
Related Reading- Finding Joy in the Everyday: Tips for Cultivating Happiness in Motherhood
Finding Glimmers of Gratitude in Real Mom Life
Let’s get specific about where these moments actually show up - no Pinterest-worthy scenarios required. Just real life, with all its mess and unexpected good stuff.
A Moment of Quiet:
Sometimes it’s just three uninterrupted minutes in the bathroom. Or that surreal moment when all your kids are somehow occupied at once. These aren’t Instagram-worthy moments. They’re better - because they’re real, and they’re yours.
Unexpected Connection:
Your toddler grabs your face for a kiss. Your teenager actually tells you about their day without prompting. Your partner silently hands you coffee exactly when you need it. These split-second moments of connection? Pure glimmer gold.
Physical Relief:
The weight off your feet when you finally sit down. The first blast of AC after loading kids in the car. Even just changing into comfortable clothes at the end of the day. Your body knows what feels good - listen to it.
A “Mom Win” Moment:
Getting everyone in bed before you’re completely exhausted. Finding the missing shoe right before you need to leave. Making it through the grocery store without any meltdowns (yours or theirs). These aren’t just wins - they’re glimmers reminding you that you’ve got this.
The Unexpected Sweet Stuff:
• Your kid’s random “I love you”
• Finding money in your jeans pocket
• That perfect song coming on the radio
• Your partner handling bedtime without being asked
• The baby actually napping when you need them to
Making Glimmers of Gratitude Part of Real Life
Let’s talk about catching these moments without turning it into another project. Because the last thing you need is one more thing on your mental load. This isn’t about transforming into some zen master of mindfulness or pretending everything’s perfect.
It’s about finding those tiny moments of “okay, this is good” even on the hardest days.
Start Where You Are:
Your life is already full of potential glimmers - they’re hiding in your morning routine, your commute, even those mundane tasks you do every day. That moment when you first wake up and the house is quiet? Glimmer. The way your kid’s hair smells right after a bath? Glimmer. Even that first stretch when you finally sit down after a long day? Yep, that’s a glimmer too.
The trick isn’t adding more to your day; it’s noticing what’s already there. And trust me, once you start looking, these moments are everywhere - even in the chaos, even in the hard parts, even in the ordinary Tuesday afternoons.
Make it Stupidly Simple:
Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror that says “glimmer check.” Set your phone background to remind you. Leave yourself a note in your car. Whatever works for you. Just one tiny prompt that fits into what you’re already doing. Because here’s the truth: the simpler we make it, the more likely we are to actually do it.
Think about it - you’re already brushing your teeth, driving to school, making dinner. These automatic moments are perfect opportunities to catch a glimmer. Not because you have to, but because they’re already part of your day.
Share What You Notice:
Tell your partner about that perfect coffee moment. Ask your kids what made them smile today. Share your glimmers at dinner or during bedtime routines. Not because you have to, but because sharing these tiny good moments actually makes them multiply.
And here’s something magical: kids are naturally excellent at spotting glimmers. They notice everything - the way shadows dance on the wall, how bubble bath feels, the exact right way to splash in a puddle. Let them teach you. Their natural ability to find joy in ordinary moments is contagious.
Build Your Glimmer Radar:
Like anything else, noticing glimmers gets easier with practice. Maybe you start catching them during your morning routine - the warmth of your shower, the quiet before everyone wakes up, the way your favorite mug feels in your hands. Or while doing dishes - the satisfaction of a clean kitchen, the sound of kids playing in the next room, the last rays of sunlight through your window.
These moments are already happening - we’re just learning to tune into them. And the more we notice, the more we find. It’s like training your brain to spot treasure in ordinary places.
Ready to Find More Glimmers in Your Mom Life?
Hey, Before You Go… Let Me Introduce Myself
Picture this: I’m sitting at my kitchen table, tears streaming down my face, surrounded by the chaos of four kids (including twins!), thinking “WTF is wrong with me?” Here I was - a mom with a master’s in counseling, someone who literally taught OTHER moms how to handle their kids - and I was completely losing my sh*t.
Funny how life works, right? That rock-bottom moment led me exactly where I needed to be: helping moms like you find their way back to themselves. Not with generic “take a bubble bath” advice or perfect morning routines (because… seriously?), but with real support for real mom life.
What Makes My Mom Life Coaching Approach Different?
Between my four kids, my master’s in counseling, and my own journey through postpartum rage and anxiety, I’ve learned something crucial: Those picture-perfect Instagram solutions? They’re useless when you’re in the thick of it.
That’s why I do things differently. I combine behavior analysis expertise with real-mom experience to help you:
Break free from autopilot mode (without adding more to your plate)
Find your way back to the mom you want to be (even if you feel totally lost right now)
Actually enjoy this life you worked so hard for (yes, really)
No weekly sessions that don’t match real mom life. Instead, I’m your daily lifeline - there when you need support, whether you’re about to lose it or already lost it and are replaying every moment in your head.
If you’re nodding along thinking “finally, someone who actually gets it,” let’s connect. Because you’re way too good of a mom to keep feeling this bad about how you’re doing it.
Want to Start Finding Your Own Glimmers?
Look, if you’ve read this far, I’m guessing something resonated. Maybe you’re tired of feeling like you’re missing your own life. Maybe you’re done with running on autopilot. Or maybe you just want to stop feeling guilty for not “enjoying every moment” (ugh, who actually does that?).
Let’s Chat - For Real
Book a free “Reset & Reconnect” call where we’ll:
Cut through what’s really keeping you stuck in autopilot
Find those moments where joy is actually possible (even with your crazy schedule)
Create a practical plan that works for YOUR life (not some Instagram version of motherhood)
See if we’re a good fit to work together (because personality matters, right?)
No perfect mom act required. No judgment about where you are right now. Just real talk about getting from survival mode to actually living.
Because here’s the truth: You don’t need another person telling you to “just be grateful” or “cherish every moment.” You need someone who gets it - both professionally and personally - and knows how to help you find your way back to yourself.
Ready to stop running on empty? Let’s talk.
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