Tiny Glimmers, Big Shifts: Finding Your Ah Ha Moments Through Therapy
- Tiffany Bentley
- Jul 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 22
What Are Ah Ha Moments—And Why Do They Matter in Therapy?
Have you ever experienced an ah ha moment? That moment when something clicks—maybe a small realization that shifts your perspective in a profound way. These moments might feel subtle, but they can be powerful enough to guide us toward the changes we’ve been longing for. They are not always dramatic revelations, but rather quiet, sometimes even fleeting, shifts in how we see ourselves or the world around us.
At Somatic Women, we understand that growth doesn’t always come in big, flashy moments. Sometimes, it’s the small, quiet ones that make the biggest difference. These are called glimmers, a term popularized by therapist Deb Dana. Glimmers are signs that your nervous system is starting to trust itself again. They’re tiny moments of insight or peace that signal your body is in a state of safety, healing, and potential.
Therapy can help you notice these moments. It teaches you how to slow down and tune into the present, so you can recognize these shifts when they happen. When you can catch a glimmer, you’re also noticing that you’re capable of something bigger—of growth, of change, of embracing the life that’s unfolding.
A Personal Story: A Quiet Drive, A Subtle Shift
Let me take you back to a simple, ordinary moment. I was on my usual morning drive—coffee in the cup holder, music playing softly, following the same route I always take. Then, I stopped at a red light—and something in me paused, too.
In that stillness, I remembered something I had done recently. It wasn’t anything that would stand out to anyone else. But I knew it had taken courage. It was something my past self might have avoided or second-guessed. And yet, I had done it—with presence, with clarity.
As I sat at that red light, I felt a quiet sense of pride settle into my body. No rush, no fanfare. Just a calm knowing: I’ve grown.
That was a glimmer.
My nervous system registered it before my thoughts did—a subtle moment of recognition, safety, and trust. Nothing about the outside world had changed, but something inside me had. It was small, but it mattered.
Therapy helps us make space for these moments. It supports us in slowing down enough to notice when we’re moving in alignment, when the old patterns loosen, and something new begins to take root.
Sometimes, a glimmer arrives not in a breakthrough, but in the quiet pause of a red light—reminding you that healing is already happening.
Have you had a moment like this recently?
Maybe it was subtle—something no one else would notice. A choice you made differently. A moment of calm where anxiety used to live. A sense of pride, even if it came quietly.
These are glimmers too.
Take a breath. Let yourself notice: What shifted, even slightly? Sometimes, just recognizing that something is different is part of the healing.
Catching a Thought—and Making a Different Choice
One of the most empowering shifts therapy offers is something called psychological flexibility. It’s the practice of noticing our thoughts and feelings—and choosing how we respond to them, rather than getting swept away automatically.
This concept comes from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and it’s a powerful reminder: we can have a thought without becoming it. We can slow down, notice what's showing up, and gently choose a response that’s more aligned with who we’re becoming.
I had a moment like this in my own therapy practice. I caught myself mid-thought: That’s not good enough. I didn’t do it right. These were familiar voices—ones that used to pull me into spirals of self-doubt and anxiety. But this time, I paused. I didn’t try to push the thought away. I just noticed it. I let it be there—and then asked myself, What do I want to move toward?
That question brought me back to my values. I chose not to follow the old path of self-criticism. Instead, I responded with compassion. I took a breath, softened my body, and made a choice that reflected the kind of person I want to be.
That moment was a glimmer, too.
These subtle shifts may not seem big, but over time, they matter. They build trust—in ourselves, in our process, in the possibility of change. And little by little, they reshape how we meet the moments that life brings.
These Small Shifts Add Up Over Time
The truth is, these glimmers don’t always appear in the form of huge revelations. But the beauty lies in their ability to add up. Each small shift is a building block of greater self-awareness and emotional resilience.
One client shared how, for the first time, she was able to step back and not react immediately to a text message that usually triggered anxiety. Instead of rushing to respond, she took a moment to breathe, assess, and decide if she wanted to engage. That moment of pausing and choosing differently was a glimmer of self-control and awareness. Over time, these small acts can transform how we live our daily lives.
Another client shared that she noticed, for the first time, she wasn’t trying to fill the silence in a conversation. In the past, she would have immediately felt uncomfortable and rushed to fill the space with words. But now, she was learning to sit in the silence and let it be. That quiet moment was a shift in how she related to herself and others.
These shifts might seem small in the moment, but they matter. They are the pieces that come together to create a life filled with more peace, more authenticity, and more intention.
Why Therapy Matters in the Big Picture of Personal Growth
At times, it can feel like we’re not making big progress—especially when we focus on the larger picture. But therapy helps you zoom in on the little things that matter. The subtle shifts, the small realizations, and the glimmers of insight are just as important, if not more so, than the grand milestones we often chase.
Therapy provides a space where you can grow at your own pace. It offers you the tools to notice when your nervous system is beginning to relax, when you’re beginning to trust yourself again. And these tools can help you reframe your experience of the world.
These subtle shifts help you:
Build emotional resilience.
Practice psychological flexibility.
Move from old, automatic responses to more intentional choices.
It’s not about forcing yourself to change or pushing through obstacles. It’s about making space to notice the small moments of growth and letting them lead you to where you want to be.
External Resources
If you’re interested in exploring more about glimmers and how therapy can help you, check out these helpful links:
Ultimately
The subtle shifts—the tiny, quiet moments when something inside you clicks—are the building blocks of deep personal transformation. These glimmers, though small, carry the power to reshape how you see yourself and the world around you. At Somatic Women, we invite you to slow down and truly listen to those gentle signals your body and mind are sending. When you notice and honor these moments, you begin to open the door to greater healing, growth, and freedom.
Because ultimately, Light, you’re the keeper of your own knowing—no one else has that kind of power. Shine bright and keep moving forward.
If you want to know more about who I am and what therapy with me looks like, you can learn more here.
Thanks for reading!
About the Author
Tiffany Bentley, LCSW, is the founder of Somatic Women, a virtual therapy practice supporting women in MA, CT, RI, VT, and FL. She integrates EMDR, ACT, and somatic therapies to help women reclaim their voices, restore balance, and live with clarity.
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