🪺 Glimmer Nest: Threads of Resilience in Our Stories

Hi, I'm Kat. Welcome to Glimmer Nest! I plan to share a new edition with subscribers each Sunday or Monday, and also hop into our Glimmer Nest Substack chat nearly daily. I also may do it whenever I wish, but promise to never inundate your inbox! 😉

🤔 I'm full of contradictions. I love creating and solving crossword puzzles, but I'm dyslexic. I'm a librarian who grew up with some speech and hearing issues, then ended up in jobs with lots of public speaking, including storytimes and board meeting presentations. While I navigate recurring cancers and chronic pain, it's often the invisible battle with CPTSD that proves most challenging in my day-to-day life.

People often tell me I'm stoic and unflappable. I smile and nod, knowing there's so much more beneath the surface. 🫣

That weathered Buddha head you see in the photo below? It's peeking through melting snow on our South Carolina porch. To me, it represents my gradual emergence from a long period of dissociation. For years, I was engulfed in a mental fog so dense it obscured even my sense of self. This wasn't a facade; it was a numbing haze that separated me from the world and my own experiences.

Photo by R. Katharine C. Nisson ©2025

I spent over two decades building a career I still love, but life had other plans. As I began homeschooling my teenage son with autism and went through three major life upheavals all at once, I realized I needed a change. I started my own WFH business, unsure where it would lead. Now, I find myself building digital communities, coaching individuals with their careers, and writing content for some fantastic visionaries who don't like writing or don't have time to write for themselves. It's a significant shift, but one that aligns with my journey and the stories I want to share.

Three years ago, the accumulation of stress led to a breakdown, plunging me into severe dissociation — a nightmare unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. Now, like the snow beginning to melt, that fog is slowly lifting. This thaw represents clarity returning, emotions reawakening, and connections reforming.

For those unfamiliar with dissociation, imagine driving a familiar route and suddenly realizing you've arrived with no memory of the journey. That brief disconnection is a mild form most people experience. Now, amplify that sensation to last much longer, sometimes days or months. It's like watching your life through a foggy window – you see what's happening, but feel detached from it.

This isn't just daydreaming. It's a profound disconnection from your thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. Dissociation is a coping mechanism the brain uses when overwhelmed by stress or trauma.

Throughout this journey, I've learned the value of those who stand by you — not just during the difficult times, but in the aftermath too. The people who accept you wholly, who recognize your strength even when you can't see it yourself. I'm fortunate to have a family and a small network of friends who've been my anchors, reminding me of who I am even when I couldn't see it myself.

Glimmer Nest is for:

🪺 Anyone seeking to build genuine connections and self-acceptance

🪺 Parents navigating neurodiversity

🪺 Neurodivergent individuals seeking career guidance and workplace understanding

🪺 Those navigating their own experiences with diagnoses like cancers, dissociation, CPTSD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dare I say it … menopause

Here, I'll share my experiences and insights across these interconnected areas of my life. From the daily realities of autism parenting to navigating career challenges, I hope to offer perspectives that resonate and perhaps provide some useful strategies.

I'm still figuring things out, just like everyone else. Some days are clearer than others, and that's okay. This newsletter is as much about my ongoing journey as it is about connecting with others on similar paths.

Before we wrap up, I'd love to hear from you. What's your biggest challenge when it comes to being authentically you? Share your thoughts by replying to this email or joining our community chat. You’ll see a “join chat” button below so you can do just that!

If any of this resonates with you, I'd be honored if you'd subscribe.

Ready to join our nest? Enter your address below to subscribe and never miss an edition!

Until next time,

P.S. If you've enjoyed reading this, hit reply and let me know. I'd love to hear from you and learn about your own journey.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

P.P.S. You might be wondering, "Why Glimmer Nest?" Well, I've always loved birds, but there's more to it than that. 🤣

🪺 Glimmer Nest represents the mindset I'm working hard to nurture. It's about focusing on what's going well, even when things are tough. It's a reminder to work through problems and find support when I'm struggling, rather than hiding away.

The 'nest' part? That's about creating a safe, nurturing space - for myself and for others. It's where we can gather, share our stories, and support each other as we navigate life's challenges.

And 'glimmer'? That's for those small moments of hope and positivity that can light our way, even in the darkest times. It's about finding and cherishing those tiny sparks of joy, progress, or connection that keep us going.

*Glimmer Nest is a safe space where we respect each other's privacy and experiences. While I'll be sharing my personal journey, please remember that this isn't professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for medical concerns.

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Hope to see you in the Glimmer Nest chat on Substack!