Ha, chunky glitter! It’s like the fairy dust of a dance from the ’70s on steroids. Tell me though, am I the only one picturing tiny disco balls living their best lives? As much a symbol of self-expression as it is crafting component, chunky glitter can be seen plastered on eyelids or sprinkled across homemade cards in limitless variety.

Remember that song from elementary school art projects? Glitter. Sticky fingers and lone twinkles you’ll come across years later—dots of light paying homage to the struggle on the tablecloth next to how eveything else.

Still, the bottom line is why the obsession? Why should such reckless abandon be reserved strictly for chunky glitter? I mean, doesn’t it feel like a glitter apocalypse waiting to happen on some level?!

For beauty fans, chunky glitter is a form of rebellion against the blandness of daily makeup. Who doesn’t want to go from human to unicorn in 5 seconds? Imagine every morning sprinkled with cosmic sparkle. Here at the edge of somnolence, a dab here and a streak there—and you’re ready for your day. It’s as if Tinker Bell zapped your eyelids with zest.

Craft enthusiasts—put down the hot glue gun and pipe cleaners! Chunky glitter is that special, unexpected touch that turns a card, scrapbook or Ⅲ project into something out-of-this world. Kids love it; parents (until the clean-up phase at least) adore it. It’s painting a masterpiece with razzle-dazzle that only you as mother/father can truly appreciate.

By its very nature, glitter is relentless. Like that song that won’t leave your head once it starts there. It pops up in the most unexpected places and tells its story for as long as possible, such as a rogue twinkle on your boss’s forehead when all eyes are on him at an important meeting. Embarrassing? Perhaps. But as we know the giggle is impossible to suppress.

But let’s face it, beneath the glitter’s shine you will find something more. An act of rebellion amidst a predictably dull world. There’s a quiet pleasure in breaking free and causing some mischief—how could you want the dull colors when the bright ones are right there?

So, the next time you see a can of glitter dust sitting on the shelf, don’t just walk past it. Stop for one moment to take in the whisper of rebellion that trails in its wake, let your imagination follow a little bit after and let in that sparkle. Sometimes, as with the glitter, things become just that much more interesting if you leave things tousled.