Stop Dimming Your Light: Life Is Too Short Not to Shine. You are amazing, and showing it doesn't just benefit you. It benefits others too.
Have you ever caught yourself shrinking a little to make someone else more comfortable?
Maybe you’ve held back from sharing an idea, deflected a compliment, or toned down your enthusiasm just so you wouldn’t come off “too much.”
It’s something many of us do—often without realising. But over time, it becomes a habit. One that quietly tells your nervous system: It’s safer to stay small.
Why We Dim Our Light
We learn early on that standing out can make us a target for criticism, jealousy, or discomfort. We start to believe that being fully ourselves might somehow take something away from others—their spotlight, their ease, their approval.
And so, we edit.
We hide our joy to seem humble.
We play it down to avoid judgment.
We minimise our magic so no one feels threatened.
“Don’t shine too brightly—someone might not like it.”
But here’s the thing: dimming your light doesn’t protect you—it disconnects you.
It creates a version of you that’s easier for others, but harder for you to live with. And life is simply too short for that.
You Deserve to Be Fully Seen
When you hold back who you are, you don’t just miss out on your own joy—you rob the world of the version of you it was meant to meet.
The right people won’t be intimidated by your light. They’ll be drawn to it. Encouraged by it. Energised by it.
“Your playing small does not serve the world.” – Marianne Williamson
And when you allow yourself to be fully you, you also give others quiet permission to do the same. Joy is a powerful thing.
Finding the Balance
Of course, there’s a difference between shining with confidence and overpowering others. Being proud of who you are doesn’t mean being dismissive or loud—it means being real, grounded, and present in your truth.
The goal isn’t to overshadow—it’s to stop editing.
How to Let Go of the Fear of Shining
Letting go of the fear that keeps you small is a practice, not a one-time decision. Here are some gentle steps to help:
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Notice where you shrink. Become aware of moments when you hold back your opinions, humour, creativity, or enthusiasm.
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Challenge the story. Ask yourself: Am I making myself smaller to keep someone else comfortable?
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Affirm your worth. Try saying: It’s safe for me to be seen. I don’t need to earn space—I already belong here.
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Celebrate what lights you up. Whether it’s your style, your laugh, or your weird little obsessions—those are you, and they deserve love.
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Surround yourself with people who reflect your light back. And remember: when others can’t handle your shine, it says more about their shadows than your spark.
Be Who You Are. Fully.
You are not “too much.” You are just right for the life you’re here to live.
So take up space. Speak up. Laugh loud.
Let your art be bold, your thoughts be heard, your energy be free.
You don’t need to dim for anyone. Shine on. The world is better when you do.
Like the cover image? That's one of mine. Joy is such a powerful thing. When you show joy then others do too, it's contagious. We all have the power to spread hoy and make the day a bit brighter for others, so let's get going.
You can buy a 'Joy' print right now, here.
This post is a collaborative effort between AI and myself in order to provide the most up to date information.
