Glimmers.
Finding joy in the little things, like Paulie Gee's opening in Gowanus.
Good morning and Happy Monday my friends,
The world is a hot mess in every sense of the word isn’t it? LGBTQ kids don’t have a national suicide hotline anymore, disabled kids are fighting for Medicaid on the Hill, we’re at war without Congressional approval or any sort of leadership, hard working folks are being snatched off the streets by ICE, and the fires and floods keep coming. It’s enough to make you store a case of rosé into your bedside fridge and pile all of Emily Henry’s books on your duvet and never get out of bed. Not that this is something I have considered or planned.
Anyway, it’s times like these we have to focus on the glimmers. Have you heard of these? I learned about these a few months ago while taking Dani Shapiro’s writing class – these are shiny little micro-moments that you might not notice, but that we should lean into – slivers of joy, sprinkles of unexpected wonder that can be super small but that can make a difference to our mental health and internal stress clocks if we stop to sort of metabolize them.
Maybe it’s finding a parking spot that gives you a week without moving your car, or winning $5 on a scratch off you picked up for shits and giggles, or seeing a pudgy little toddler take their first step into the waiting arms of a wrinkled grandparent, or having your son say Mom your hair looks so nice (who knew 12 year old boys actually noticed these things!).
Or the glimmer could be even bigger – like learning you have a job interview for a role you really want, or finding out that Paulie Gee will be taking over the former Ample Hills space in Gowanus! How’s that for a glimmer!!! Yes, it’s true. More great pizza is coming to South Brooklyn, and I for one feel like that’s a nice way to start a Monday.
Or maybe it’s that Brooklyn Granary is open and baking on Huntington Street, turning out custard buns, croissants, morning buns, hand pies, baguettes, porridge bread (and more), or that Titus Burgess is back in Oh Mary for a 6-week run beginning tonight!!! (I’m going on July 15th so get your tickets and meet me there.) Another glimmer!
So my message today is look for the glimmers – whether it’s a ladybug on your wrist, a cloudless summer night swirling with the heady perfume of linden trees, finding a vintage DVF wrap dress for $20 at Beacon’s Closet, napping with a purring cat on your lap, or scoring a ticket to see Bridget Everett and the Tender Moments at Joe’s Pub, lean into those glimmers. Sending many your way.
If you’ve had a glimmer recently, share it with us below in the comments?
xx
Andrea