A conversation about the tiny things that lift a day. Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Sarah Bullen catches up with Bridget McNulty on writing, noticing, and the art of finding joy in the everyday.📚 Bridget McNulty's new book is Daily Glimmers: The Art of Finding Tiny Joys Every Day of the Year. Get your copy at @exclusivebooks at the Franschhoek Town Hall!
Bridget McNulty (@msbridgetmcnulty ) began her career as a magazine journalist and has since written the novel Strange Nervous Laughter, The Grief Handbook, and her most recent book, Daily Glimmers. After being diagnosed with diabetes, Bridget co-founded the NGO Sweet Life Diabetes Community, through which she publishes books and a regular magazine. She also co-founded Now Novel, an online writing course.
Sarah Bullen (@sarahbullenwritingroom ) is a multi-published author and renowned writing coach who leads international writing retreats and adventures in Europe and Africa. A former financial and magazine journalist, her most recent book The Other Side delves into stories of near-death experiences and spiritual encounters. Sarah's work reflects her passion for storytelling and exploration of the human spirit.
The latest episode of Pagecast, live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival, is out now!
Filmed & edited by Curt Ruiters at @Quickclickproductions_
#Pagecast #PagecastFLF2026
#DiabetesLooksLikeMe
I am so proud to raise my voice for diabetes: today and every day.
Diabetes stigma is pervasive, and often invisible.
Today, let’s stand up for South Africans with diabetes. Please join me in sharing a selfie (whether or not you have diabetes!) with the hashtag #DiabetesLooksLikeMe to show that diabetes doesn’t discriminate: neither should we.
You know it’s going to be a good panel when you’re excited to hear what’s being said… as one of the panelists 😉
Here’s what we’re talking about:
A Better Way
In a world that feels relentlessly stressful, how do we stay hopeful, energised and open to possibility?
Bridget McNulty (Daily Glimmers), Richard Sutton (Shift Happens) and Zuraida Jardine explore simple but powerful ways to reconnect with joy, purpose and resilience, and to live not just successfully, but deeply and fully.
Bring it on! Franschhoek Literary Festival starts on Friday! 💫
@franlitfest@zuraidajardine@realrichardsutton
Mother’s Day. Oof.
It’s such a tricky day for so many people: those who have lost moms, those who have estranged moms, those whose moms are still here but not really present… And then all those on the other side: those who wish they could be moms, or who have lost children, or who feel conflicted about their choices. It’s a maelstrom of emotion wrapped in pink ribbon.
In the midst of that, though, as in the midst of all difficult things: tiny joys.
I’ve been thinking about what makes the relationship with your mom so special, and I think a lot of it is the minuscule details: the thing they used to do when you were little, or the way they always make your favourite food or give the best hugs.
My mom and I used to drink tea together all the time and oh! What I wouldn’t give for one more cup of tea with her. I have to settle for the adorable quilt she made of us drinking tea…
In honour of Mother’s Day, I thought it would be lovely to commemorate these tiny moments, these daily glimmers if you will (see what I did there?!)
If you buy your mom a copy of Daily Glimmers this week, I’ll hand write her a note that you can print out and stick in the book, or send to her if she lives further away*. It’s a reminder of one thing you love about her, a slice of joy you share, as well as a whole year full of glimmers for her to dip into…
And if you don’t have that kind of mom (any more), why not get yourself a copy and I’ll do the same, about any glimmer you choose… Or get yourself some other kind of PTS (Present To Self). You deserve it ❤️
Mother’s Day! Oof.
*Just DM me your name, your mom’s name, and your glimmer. Daily Glimmers available everywhere books are sold, in bookstores and online.
This is the World’s Greatest Chicken Soup.
And I say that as someone who has eaten a *lot* of chicken soup, and has very high standards….
It’s impossibly delicious and full of flavour and goodness and little melting chunks of potato and hearty broth and if I ate it every day I’d never get tired of it.
It’s my lovely brother-in-law’s recipe (Paulie aka Uncle Cutie) and when he made it for us last year I devoured it and then started making up excuses not to cook it myself: most notably, I don’t like the gross chicken bone stuff. And that’s the true genius of this recipe! No gross chicken bone stuff, because it’s a whole chicken. No complicated straining. Just pure chickeny joy.
The hardest part about it was pausing mid-spoonful to snap this pic.
Let me know what you think when you make it! It’s a bowl full of glimmers. ✨
#glimmers #dailyglimmers #chickensoup #souprecipe #bestsoupever
I’m often accused of wearing rose-tinted glasses… (To which my response is: “yes, and?”)
But the other morning, before the storm, it felt like the sky itself was wearing rose-tinted glasses! Such beauty! Such wonder.
It’s the same wonder I’ve felt following all the extraordinary @nasa footage lately - the sense that the world has so many surprises for us, if we’ll just open our eyes to them… Small moments of awe, every day. Daily glimmers, you might say! ✨
Have you noticed any lately? Please share!
#awe #wonder #glimmers #slicesofjoy #dailyglimmers
One month today till the @franlitfest Franschhoek Literary Festival begins! 💫
And before I gush about how excited and delighted I am to be hosting a Glimmers Workshop and part of a fascinating panel with @richard_d_sutton_ and @zuraidajardine , can we talk about the last time I was at the FLF?
It was 2008. I was - objectively - adorable (with questionable and ever-varying hairstyles!). I had just published my novel, Strange Nervous Laughter, and just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I was 25. I knew nothing (objectively).
I had recently read The Madams by @zukiswa.wanner , and in an attempt to be clever and bold had called it chick lit. Had I ever read a book before, I now wonder? 🙄
In reaction, Zukiswa graciously invited me on a panel with a formidable line-up of smart women, including Jenny Crwys Williams and @maxine.case and Kopano Matlwa and gave me space to share my (very strongly-held) 25-year-old views on life and love and women’s fiction. Bless.
What a kind and generous response! 18 years later, I’m still impressed.
And delighted to be returning to the @franlitfest stage, although both of my events are sold out (yay!) so I can’t even ask you to buy tickets…
It is sure to be a weekend filled with insight and wisdom and books and conversation and food and wine and heaps of glimmers… I can’t wait. ✨
Please come and say hi if you’re planning to be there! 📚
@penguinbookssouthafrica
Selfies with ice cream!
Selfies in front of beautiful buildings!
Selfies in front of stunning views!
Selfies on trains!
Selfies with snowflakes!
I love the deep peace of solo travel, but you definitely miss out on photo opportunities. I didn’t realise until I (finally) showed my family my Switzerland photos how many selfies I had taken… And because it was too cold to take my coat off, and I was permanently in a giant scarf, it almost looks like I had one extremely busy day (or only took one outfit!)
So many glimmers to be found in sharing holiday snaps with those you love, though…. I just relived my whole trip! What a joy ✨
#glimmers #slicesofjoy #solotravel #travel #switzerland
Proof that even the smallest rituals can shift your whole day ✨
There’s something about pausing, pouring, plating (even if it’s just biscuits on your best plate), and calling it a moment that feels quietly magical.
💛 Your turn: if you were hosting your own mini tea party today, what’s on the menu — classic scones, something store-bought, or a little mix of both?
Thanks to Bridget McNulty for this gem from her book, 'Daily Glimmers'.
.
.
. #teaparty #glimmer #beinthemoment
Annual dose of wonder supplied by the Spier Light Art Fest ✨
Every year, my brothers and our families head to Spier at sunset, to eat a picnic meal together and wander around as the darkness gathers, to be delighted by light art (and wonder).
Every year I am reminded how rare it is to be delighted, awestruck, surprised by beauty… Life can feel quite predictable sometimes (especially if you’re trying not to stress out your nervous system!) and it is a wonder-full treat to wander around in the gathering darkness, looking for beauty.
You still have a few days to go if you’re in Cape Town and haven’t experienced the wonder yet! Highly recommended for a total slice of joy ✨
#glimmers #dailyglimmers #slicesofjoy
@spierwinefarm@vaughn_sadie
