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A few weeks ago, one of my friends texted me that her goal for the New Year was to be on her phone less. As a twenty-something, I wasn’t surprised. This generation grew up with social media and technology and doesn’t know what it’s like to live without it. What did surprise me, however, was her dedication to the process. Instead of throwing everything out on January 1st, she began intentionally using her phone and socials less. She even created an analog bag so that when she’s on the go, she won’t be tempted to scroll mindlessly. She’s found a way to “dim” the noise in her life. And I think my friend is on to something.
The idea of living with a “dimmer” is gaining attention as people seek relief from constant stimulation, stress, and burnout. Rather than swinging between extremes of hustle and collapse, this approach encourages intentionally lowering intensity—through softer lighting, fewer notifications, calmer routines, and more realistic expectations. Advocates say living on a dimmer helps regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and create space for deeper focus and rest. In a culture that celebrates brightness and busyness, choosing a gentler setting may be a healthier, more sustainable way to live.
While this idea of “dimming the noise” isn’t new, it’s been building traction for a few decades. I am about 8 years older than my friend, but I remember the days before technology, and I honestly kind of miss them. Life was slower. Easier. I had more self-esteem and less comparison. I wonder if a part of all of us wishes to go back to those days. Because if our bodies and minds are asking for less intensity and more gentleness, how might God be inviting us to slow our pace, quiet our surroundings, and rest more fully in His presence?
What Does It Mean to Live on a “Dimmer”?
By definition, living on a dimmer is similar to dimming the lights in your bedroom as you prepare to go to sleep. It’s not an all-or-nothing mentality, but it’s also not something you physically do and mentally forget about overnight. Instead of having an “on” and “off” switch, we can learn to respond to things like burnout, overstimulation, and chronic stress in healthy and more manageable ways. And rather than swinging between extremes (no social media at all, or social media all the time, for example), this concept lowers intensity.
Sahil Bloom explains the Dimmer Switch Mentality this way: “Traditional wisdom says you have to live life with an On-Off Switch Mentality: If you want to do well, you can have two areas switched ON, but if you really want to win, you can only have one area switched ON. The other areas are, by default, switched OFF. The problem with this approach: If you leave an area OFF for too long, it becomes very difficult (if not impossible) to turn it back ON. My solution is the Dimmer Switch Mentality: It says that each area of your life exists on a dimmer switch. If you want to focus on building one area, you turn that switch up, but rather than turning off the others, you just turn them down low.”
What I love about Bloom’s definition is that living with a dimmer can be practical and easy to implement. For example, even using softer lighting or quieter environments when working or studying is a great habit to build. Instead of turning off all of your notifications, just limit them to a few of your favorite or most important apps. Rather than deleting Instagram altogether, try creating digital boundaries and tech limits on how much time you spend scrolling every day.
Other ideas could look like creating a slower morning routine (even if it means getting up a little bit earlier), attempting to make your mornings as calm as possible, or creating realistic expectations for yourself. The popularity of this trend doesn’t just come from wellness, mental health, and lifestyle spaces, but a desire to live a simpler life we were all created for.