275 — Are You Numbing Your Emotions? How to Break Free and Live Fully with Cecily Mak

Do you ever wonder if the habits you rely on to get through the day might actually be holding you back from living a full, rich life? Maybe it’s a nightly glass of wine, scrolling on social media, or even working extra hours . These strategies might help you feel a little better for a minute but they may be dimming your life in the big picture.
 
My guest today is Cecily Mak, co-founder of Wisdom Ventures, a fund investing in human connection and well-being, and the author of  a book called Undimmed. Cecily shares her personal journey of identifying the “dimmers” in her life—habits that dulled her ability to fully experience life—and how she transformed her life in the process.
 
Some of the things we discuss are:
 

• How to recognize your dimmers
• What to do when you find something that is dimming your life
• Why some habits that seem positive, like generosity or productivity, can sometimes be dimmers
• How to create a 30-day experiment to get distance from your dimmers
• How uncomfortable emotions can guide you toward meaningful change
• Why redefining your relationship with discomfort can make you mentally stronger
• How alcohol was dimming Cecily’s life and what happened when she gave it up

Key Takeaways:

• Identify Your Dimmers: Take note of what you reach for in moments of discomfort, as they could be numbing your ability to experience life fully.
• Experiment with Distance: Take short breaks from potential dimmers to gauge their true impact on your life.
• Redefine Discomfort: Learn to embrace uncomfortable emotions as valuable guides for personal and life changes rather than something to avoid.
• Beyond Addictions: Understand that you don’t need to hit rock bottom to reassess and change habits that might be subtly holding you back.
• Self-Inquiry as Empowerment: Questioning your habits provides a powerful lens for future growth and self-discovery.