✨ STOP Dimming Your Light! The World Needs Your Brilliance ✨
Ever felt like you should tone it down a little?
Like you shouldn’t talk about your success too much because it might make others uncomfortable?
Like maybe you should shrink yourself just a tiny bit so you don’t stand out too much?
If so, I’ve got a little PSA for you:
👉🏽 Your light is NOT meant to be dimmed. Not for anyone. Not for anything. Ever.
I was recently reminded of this by my own daughter. She told me she felt like she should hold back so that others wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. And my heart sank—because I know that feeling so well.
So if you’ve ever felt like you need to shrink yourself, I want you to keep reading. Because we are not doing that anymore.
Why Do We Dim Our Light? (Let’s Call It Out!)
Most of us don’t wake up and say, “Hmm… let me make myself a little smaller today.”
No, no, no—this happens subtly. And it usually starts young. Somewhere along the way, we learn that standing out can be… complicated.
Here’s why we start shrinking:
1. We Don’t Want to Make Others Uncomfortable
Have you ever felt like your success, your happiness, or your energy was “too much” for someone? So instead of celebrating, you played it cool?
Yep. Same.
But listen—your joy isn’t something to be managed for other people’s comfort.
2. We’re Afraid of Judgment
We’ve all seen it happen: Someone shines a little too bright, and suddenly the critics show up.
“Oh, they think they’re so special.”
“Why do they always have to be in the spotlight?”
“Must be nice to have that kind of confidence.”
And you know what? Those reactions? They have nothing to do with you and everything to do with other people’s own insecurities. So let’s not shrink for that, okay?
3. We Want to Fit In
Because let’s be real—standing out can be scary. Sometimes, it’s easier to blend in, to not rock the boat, to just… stay small.
But you weren’t put here to blend in. You were put here to be fully, brilliantly, unapologetically YOU.
Why Your Light Actually HELPS People (Instead of Making Them Uncomfortable)
Here’s the biggest plot twist:
👉🏽 When you shine, you actually help others do the same.
Think about it:
Have you ever seen someone own their greatness and felt inspired?
Ever watched someone be unapologetically themselves and thought, Wow, I want to do that too?
That’s the power of owning your light. You give others permission to do the same.
So instead of worrying about making people uncomfortable, let’s flip it—your light might be exactly what someone else needs to see to step into their own.
How to STOP Dimming Your Light and Start OWNING It
Okay, now that we’re all fired up, let’s talk about how we stop this shrinking nonsense once and for all.
1. Catch Yourself When You Start Shrinking
You know that moment when you’re about to downplay a compliment or hold back from sharing your excitement?
Pause. Catch yourself. And do this instead:
Instead of “Oh, it was nothing,” say “Thank you, I’m really proud of it.”
Instead of “I got lucky,” say “I worked really hard for this.”
Instead of “It’s not a big deal,” say “It means a lot to me, and I’m celebrating it.”
2. Surround Yourself with People Who CELEBRATE You
Some people just don’t know how to handle someone shining in their full power. And that’s okay—it’s not your job to dim your light to make them feel better.
Find the people who:
✅ Cheer you on when you’re winning
✅ Don’t feel threatened by your success
✅ Celebrate your joy, instead of downplaying it
If you don’t have these people yet? Keep shining anyway. The right people will find you.
3. Stop Apologizing for Taking Up Space
You are allowed to:
Be excited about your life
Talk about your wins
Show up in your full energy
Take up as much space as you need
So the next time you catch yourself shrinking, ask yourself:
"Would I want my best friend/daughter/niece to shrink like this?"
If the answer is NO, then why do it to yourself?
4. Lead By Example
When you shine, you make it safer for others to do the same.
So instead of thinking, “I don’t want to stand out too much,” try:
✨ “I’m showing others that it’s safe to be their full selves.”
✨ “My confidence makes space for others to own their own light.”
✨ “I am NOT shrinking to make anyone else comfortable.”
Final Thoughts: SHINE BRIGHT, ALWAYS!
At the end of the day, this is simple:
👉🏽 You were made to shine. Period.
Not kinda-shine.
Not shine-only-when-it’s-convenient.
Not shine-only-when-everyone-approves.
SHINE. BRIGHTLY. ALWAYS.
So, no more dimming. No more shrinking. No more making yourself smaller to fit into someone else’s comfort zone.
The world needs you in your full, radiant, brilliant self.
And I promise—when you give yourself permission to do that, you’re not just helping yourself.
You’re lighting the way for others, too.