Travel

Change seems to have been on the menu for me of late. On the same day, I left a company I had been with for 20 years and completed the sale of my home that I had lived in for 17 years. The week after, I began a new role in a new town, in a new county. I was now a ‘commuter’, travelling 40 minutes each way to and from my new role. A whole new adventure was upon me.

In this blog, I’ll talk more about my journey to work, what ‘glimmers’ are and what they mean to me, and my discovery of the Swedish term Hemmablind — meaning ‘home blind’ — when we stop noticing what is familiar or beautiful around us.

What Are Glimmers?

During my first week in my new role, I was asked to attend an event with a motivational speaker called Gavin Oattes. I am not usually a fan of these kinds of events — the thought of being sat with people I don’t know and having to engage in ‘forced fun’ is my idea of torture — however, this was different.

Gavin spoke about glimmers, and I was immediately drawn in. He described glimmers as noticing moments of beauty that we may once have overlooked or ignored — beauty that is quite literally on our doorsteps. His focus on being present and in the moment really resonated with me, and it made me reflect on how easy it is to forget to be present. This is something Carl Rogers, the founder of Person-Centred Counselling, wrote about regularly.

Not long after, I was introduced to the Swedish term Hemmablind, and I was really taken by it. It felt closely linked to what Gavin had described — and to the importance of noticing beauty in parts of our day that can feel monotonous, such as a commute to work.

Glimmers matter. They support our wellbeing, allow us to be in the moment, bring a sense of calm, and can become a form of self-care. Glimmers help us ‘wake up’ to moments we may have stopped noticing as the daily grind takes over. They remove the blinkers — or, as I’ve discovered, they help us move away from Hemmablind — something I’ve experienced first-hand on my commute to this new adventure.

From a therapeutic perspective, glimmers also link closely with Polyvagal Theory, which suggests that our nervous system is constantly scanning for cues of safety or threat. When we notice moments of beauty, calm, or connection — such as a peaceful sunrise or stillness on the road — we send signals of safety to our nervous system. This can help us move out of a state of stress or anxiety and into one of calm and regulation.

Within Person-Centred Counselling, there is a strong emphasis on awareness, presence, and trusting our own experience. Glimmers invite us to slow down, notice what is happening internally and externally, and gently acknowledge what feels nourishing or meaningful in that moment — without judgement or pressure to change anything.

The Commute – An Unexpected Space for Reflection

When I think of the word commute, I think of London — the stress, shouting, beeping horns — and by the time you reach work, you’re already at the top of your stress levels. Many people see commuting as a waste of time. However, my experience has been the complete opposite.

My new role has surprisingly offered me an opportunity to slow down mentally. I noticed my first glimmer early on in this new adventure. I began to see the beauty of my commute: amazing scenery, not many cars on the road, and not a motorway in sight. Daily, my jaw drops when I reach a certain point of my journey and get to witness glorious sunrises — all the warm, beautiful colours filling the sky.

I realised I had become Hemmablind. My blinkers had slowly built up over time, and now they had come away. For the first time in a while, I was witnessing a glimmer — and I was determined to keep it going. In therapy, this can also be known as mindfulness: being present in the moment with intention.

The Beauty of the Rising Sun

I am the first to admit that I don’t know the science behind the sky, but what I can appreciate is the beauty it provides — and the fact that it is free and available to all who wish to notice it.

Sunrises and sunsets stop me in my tracks. The colours — oranges, purples, reds — all mingled together. I love the silhouettes of the trees; they remind me of a candle holder that comes alive when you add a candle to it. Even with music playing, I feel still and at peace when I witness the beauty the sky creates for me on my journey.

The sky creates this beauty whether we take note or not. What I do in these moments is make a conscious choice to be present and give my full attention to the beauty right in front of me (and, of course, the road!).

In Person-Centred Counselling, Carl Rogers spoke about the importance of valuing our subjective experience — trusting what we notice, feel, and experience in the moment. As I watch the sunrise, I’m not analysing it or trying to make meaning; I’m simply allowing myself to experience it fully. In doing so, I’m honouring my own internal world and responding to what feels calming, grounding, and right for me.

Why Noticing Beauty Helps Us Be Present

Mindful noticing and being present in the moment can reduce anxiety, increase grounding, and create small pockets of joy. Being present and noticing the sunrise on my way to work has created a positive outlook for my day. It sets my day off well and brings me a deep sense of calm.

In those moments, my heart feels full. I feel present, anxiety-free, and grateful.

The Person-Centred Approach encourages presence, self-awareness, and acceptance. Allowing ourselves to notice what is around us supports psychological wellbeing. It’s important to remember that being present doesn’t require deep meditation — it can be as simple as noticing a glimmer of beauty, light, colour, nature, or stillness.

There is beauty in the ordinary, if we allow ourselves to notice it.

Free Moments of Beauty Are All Around Us

Mindful moments of beauty cost nothing. These moments are all around us — and yet, at times, we become Hemmablind. Making the conscious choice to remember the free beauty around us is a gift.

The free gifts of glimmers around us can include:

Sunrises
Birdsong
Weather changes
People smiling
Light patterns
Music
Laughter

Hemmablind reminds us that we sometimes overlook these moments not because they aren’t meaningful, but because they are familiar. Noticing what is around us and allowing ourselves to enjoy these moments can support wellbeing and resilience. By shifting our attention towards moments of calm and beauty, we gently signal safety to our nervous system and build our capacity to cope with life’s challenges.

How You Can Try This Practice

Why not try to find your own glimmer? You might choose one part of your day — perhaps your commute, a dog walk, or even making a cup of tea. Look for one small moment of beauty each day. Pause just long enough to acknowledge it and notice how it makes you feel.

You might find it helpful to keep a ‘glimmer list’ or a photo gallery on your phone named Glimmers. Whatever works for you.

In Person-Centred Counselling, there is no right or wrong. Find something that feels right for you and allow yourself the space to explore it.

Closing Reflection

Glimmers have completely changed my commute and, in turn, my day as a whole. I feel more positive, less anxious, and more present. I now enjoy and truly take in the beauty around me.

I encourage you to reflect and experiment with noticing what you may have become Hemmablind to — and whether you can gently remove some of the blinkers that have built up over time, which may have been hiding moments of beauty.

Glimmers are all around us. I encourage you to look for your own moments of beauty — free for us all to enjoy and embrace.

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.” — A.A. Milne

Take care,
Nicole

The Allure of the Perfect Holiday

My social media algorithm picked up very quickly that I was planning a trip to New York to celebrate my birthday (21 again, of course!). What this gave me was the perfect itinerary, the perfect places to eat, the viral shops I had to visit, and endless videos of holiday goers smiling, stress free, and simply loving life.

Now, I’m absolutely sure many of those people did have an amazing time. But what I didn’t see was the preamble, the waiting for the ESTA to come through, the frantic packing, the wondering if they had enough spending money, the airport security queues, the fear of oversleeping before an early flight.

I couldn’t help but wonder, did any of those people feel anxious before, during, or after their perfect looking break?

The build up to my own holiday became a quiet obsession, scrolling for new “must see” spots, trying to plan the perfect trip. I had wanted my New York break to be more spontaneous, to stumble upon landmarks, to find an event by chance, and not to live by a tight itinerary. But the constant exposure to “perfect plans” on social media subtly changed my outlook.

I still had a few places I truly wanted to visit, but I wanted the rest to unfold authentically, a bit like person centred counselling, really. Being in the moment and fully present is so important, both in therapy and, as I’m learning, in travel too.

The Emotional Build Up

I’ve always been a traveller. I love visiting new places, soaking in the culture, and meeting new people. I grew up on family holidays, but my first experience of travelling alone was around age 14 or 15, flying to Canada to visit friends I’d met at a family wedding.

That trip introduced me to a range of feelings, ones I hadn’t really explored until recently, when I felt ready to be authentic with myself. Through my understanding of theory and my own personal growth, I’ve found the confidence to speak these feelings out loud.

Truthfully, I have anxiety about travelling. The packing, the endless passport checks, the security queues, all mix with the excitement of going away, the joy of good food and drinks, and that liberating sense of not caring about calories (they don’t count on holiday, right?).

All of these emotions can form a physical knot in my stomach. And for a long time, I didn’t know what to do with it. I certainly didn’t feel I could say, “I get anxious about going on holiday”, it sounded silly. Who feels anxious about something so exciting?

What I’ve realised is that I was being incongruent, not genuine with myself. I was trying to sell myself a lie. This idea of a perfect holiday didn’t fit into my world.

Carl Rogers, the founder of Person Centred Theory, speaks about the tension between our perceived reality and our actual experience. When something feels off, it’s important to pause and really notice what we’re feeling, to be honest with ourselves. That’s how we begin to live as our authentic, organismic self.

Anxiety appears, even though society suggests it shouldn’t. Exploring that truth is part of self actualisation, the ongoing process of becoming the fullest version of ourselves.

The In Between Moments

You might be reading this thinking, “Why does she even go on holiday if it causes her so much unrest?”
The truth is, these anxieties are fleeting, they don’t last long, but they’re important to acknowledge.

Once the hustle and bustle of check in and security is behind me, I start to relax. I love the smell of Duty Free, that’s where the holiday truly begins. The “no time zone” pint, the browsing through airport shops, finding the gate, and finally boarding.

As I settle into the plane, the pressure leaves the body. The excitement and wonder begin to creep in. Presence begins to settle in, noticing what’s around me, truly listening and engaging in conversation.

Now the films, the food, the drinks, and of course a nap can be enjoyed.

It’s in these moments that authenticity aligns with the experience. This is one of the core conditions of person centred counselling, the genuine presence that helps clients feel safe to be authentic too.

A Note on Phenomenology

This sense of presence also links beautifully with phenomenology, the idea that each person experiences the world through their own unique lens. Rogers believed we can only truly understand someone by entering their phenomenal field, their lived, subjective experience.

When sitting on the plane or wandering through a new city, the world is not seen through a camera lens or someone else’s itinerary. It is experienced through senses, emotions, and meanings.

Phenomenology reminds us that being truly present means honouring our own lived experience, without comparison or judgement. Whether as counsellors or travellers, that’s what it means to meet ourselves and others exactly where we are.

The presence and genuineness continue for most of the adventure. Observing how people live and work in the environment experienced as a break, taking in culture, architecture, and rhythm of life is enjoyable.

The energy of a city or the peace of a beach brings a sense of calm and excitement. Time spent with a partner, away from the rat race, felt especially needed given recent changes and upheaval.

Homesickness and the Ending

One thing recently self confessed is being a home bird. Growing up, it was difficult to be away from parents, a night at grandparents often meant tears and very little sleep.

Now, as an adult, home is a sanctuary. Being away from comforts, bed, routine, familiar surroundings can still be difficult. But as each holiday ends, it feels like Stretch Armstrong, part yearning for home, part resisting the end of something loved.

Those moments bring mixed thoughts, don’t want this experience to end, will things feel different on return?

These thoughts are met with kindness and unconditional positive regard. They are acknowledged. Conflict, love, and longing are allowed space.

Loving and hating the thought of coming home is not a contradiction. It’s just being human.

Bringing It Home

The purpose of this blog is to normalise anxiety around excitement, it’s okay to experience both. Excitement and anxiety can coexist, sometimes simultaneously.

For years I saw anxiety as a negative. Now I realise it can be used as a tool, like an internal risk assessment if you like, showing when attention is needed while allowing me to stay in control and not let it spiral.

Allowing all emotions to exist without judgement is essential. Each individual experiences situations differently, for some it brings joy, for others unease. Both are perfectly okay.

Social media can be both a blessing and a curse. When scrolling through perfect travel clips, it’s natural to wonder, what’s really behind the lens? Remember, a holiday doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. By embracing both excitement and anxiety, staying present, and being kind to yourself, every trip can become a genuine, memorable experience.

Take Care, Nicole