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Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits
When Cecily Mak decided to take a break from drinking, the most common response she got was “Oh, I didn’t know you had a problem.” A problem? She was not an addict, or even committing to sobriety. She had simply realized that alcohol helped her avoid difficult feelings—but that it dimmed the good parts of her life along with the bad. She wanted to live her life with clarity, not avoid it.
Many of us are taught to believe that escapist and addictive behaviors are fine as long as they are not “problems” or wholesale addictions. But this binary mindset robs us of a more present life and our ability to make changes before the behavior becomes an unshakeable habit. What you use to dim your life may not be a substance—it might even be something healthy, like exercise, food, or work. And every dimmer exists on a spectrum from use, to heavy use, to potential abuse or worse. It’s not about what you do, but how and why you do it. While leaving her unwanted habits behind, Mak developed the Eight Awarenesses—a set of principles we can use for inspiration and guidance on the path to embodying a clear life. Each one serves as an invitation to explore a deeper understanding of ourselves and our choices, and the empowerment that comes with choosing to live a life undimmed.
Undimmed is an invitation to choose freedom from the habits that dim our lives and to embrace the full spectrum of experiences that life has to offer.
Many of us are taught to believe that escapist and addictive behaviors are fine as long as they are not “problems” or wholesale addictions. But this binary mindset robs us of a more present life and our ability to make changes before the behavior becomes an unshakeable habit. What you use to dim your life may not be a substance—it might even be something healthy, like exercise, food, or work. And every dimmer exists on a spectrum from use, to heavy use, to potential abuse or worse. It’s not about what you do, but how and why you do it. While leaving her unwanted habits behind, Mak developed the Eight Awarenesses—a set of principles we can use for inspiration and guidance on the path to embodying a clear life. Each one serves as an invitation to explore a deeper understanding of ourselves and our choices, and the empowerment that comes with choosing to live a life undimmed.
Undimmed is an invitation to choose freedom from the habits that dim our lives and to embrace the full spectrum of experiences that life has to offer.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published January 6, 2026
24 people are currently reading
3248 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This particular work appears to be a personal memoir presented within the framework of a self-help book. While the eight steps outlined may not be entirely novel, their presentation and the accompanying advice render them more practical and accessible. I found the concept of "time is a precious currency" most resonant with me.
Thank you #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for this ARC.
Thank you #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for this ARC.
January 25, 2026
Author makes some positive life choices, instantly becomes a guru, needs to tell everyone about it.
No research or novel concepts. Abundant victimhood when anything in their life doesn’t match perfectly with their new life choices.
Nothing to see here
No research or novel concepts. Abundant victimhood when anything in their life doesn’t match perfectly with their new life choices.
Nothing to see here
February 7, 2026
Clear-eyed heartfelt advice, a fresh twist on 12 Steps, ultimately empowering and hopeful — recommend for a reset and a reminder of one’s agency
March 20, 2026
A solid book about how to brighten up your life!
December 21, 2025
Review of Undimmed: The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits by Cecily Mak - 4 stars
This is the publisher's blurb on the book:
"When Cecily Mak decided to take a break from drinking, the most common response she got was “Oh, I didn’t know you had a problem.” A problem? She was not an addict, or even committing to sobriety. She had simply realized that alcohol helped her avoid difficult feelings—but that it dimmed the good parts of her life along with the bad. She wanted to live her life with clarity, not avoid it.
Many of us are taught to believe that escapist and addictive behaviors are fine as long as they are not “problems” or wholesale addictions. But this binary mindset robs us of a more present life and our ability to make changes before the behavior becomes an unshakeable habit. What you use to dim your life may not be a substance—it might even be something healthy, like exercise, food, or work. And every dimmer exists on a spectrum from use, to heavy use, to potential abuse or worse. It’s not about what you do, but how and why you do it. While leaving her unwanted habits behind, Mak developed the Eight Awarenesses—a set of principles we can use for inspiration and guidance on the path to embodying a clear life. Each one serves as an invitation to explore a deeper understanding of ourselves and our choices, and the empowerment that comes with choosing to live a life undimmed.
Undimmed is an invitation to choose freedom from the habits that dim our lives and to embrace the full spectrum of experiences that life has to offer."
Here are my thoughts on the book:
Mak does a good job of presenting how much your life can change by making a personal choice to eliminate a habit that is "dimming" your life, i.e. preventing you from being fully present in other areas of your life. The goal is to have a more purposeful life based on your priorities and personal values. By eliminating a chosen habit from our life (any habit), we gain more time and energy to pursue other things more in keeping with what we currently value.
The book is divided into Four Parts which focus on different individual tenets which she calls agreements:
Part I: Choice. You have a choice to disengage from a/the Dimmer(s) in your life, and you have a choice to re-engange with it/them in the future.
1) My life is better clear.
2) I choose what I consume.
Part II: Inner. Exploring yourself beneath the dimmers. What discomfort might you be trying to escape by using a dimmer?
3) My intuition defines my priorities.
4) My trauma is not my identity.
Part III: Outer. Relating to others; healing or releasing unhealthy relationships.
5) Forgiveness and letting go are on the path to liberation.
6) I do not judge or impose my orientations upon others.
Part IV: Beyond. How we interact with the world. Aligning discretionary time with your true life priorities as well as supporting others on this path.
7) Time is our most precious currency.
8) I seek ways to support others.
This is a very readable and thought provoking book. As I read it, I was easily able to identify some things in my own life that I intend to spend less time on in the future so that I have more time to pursue activities that interest me and will place my life in better alignment with my goals and desires. Very helpful and well done!
My thanks to the author and to Flatiron Books for giving me access to a DRC of the book via NetGalley. Publication is 1/6/26. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
This is the publisher's blurb on the book:
"When Cecily Mak decided to take a break from drinking, the most common response she got was “Oh, I didn’t know you had a problem.” A problem? She was not an addict, or even committing to sobriety. She had simply realized that alcohol helped her avoid difficult feelings—but that it dimmed the good parts of her life along with the bad. She wanted to live her life with clarity, not avoid it.
Many of us are taught to believe that escapist and addictive behaviors are fine as long as they are not “problems” or wholesale addictions. But this binary mindset robs us of a more present life and our ability to make changes before the behavior becomes an unshakeable habit. What you use to dim your life may not be a substance—it might even be something healthy, like exercise, food, or work. And every dimmer exists on a spectrum from use, to heavy use, to potential abuse or worse. It’s not about what you do, but how and why you do it. While leaving her unwanted habits behind, Mak developed the Eight Awarenesses—a set of principles we can use for inspiration and guidance on the path to embodying a clear life. Each one serves as an invitation to explore a deeper understanding of ourselves and our choices, and the empowerment that comes with choosing to live a life undimmed.
Undimmed is an invitation to choose freedom from the habits that dim our lives and to embrace the full spectrum of experiences that life has to offer."
Here are my thoughts on the book:
Mak does a good job of presenting how much your life can change by making a personal choice to eliminate a habit that is "dimming" your life, i.e. preventing you from being fully present in other areas of your life. The goal is to have a more purposeful life based on your priorities and personal values. By eliminating a chosen habit from our life (any habit), we gain more time and energy to pursue other things more in keeping with what we currently value.
The book is divided into Four Parts which focus on different individual tenets which she calls agreements:
Part I: Choice. You have a choice to disengage from a/the Dimmer(s) in your life, and you have a choice to re-engange with it/them in the future.
1) My life is better clear.
2) I choose what I consume.
Part II: Inner. Exploring yourself beneath the dimmers. What discomfort might you be trying to escape by using a dimmer?
3) My intuition defines my priorities.
4) My trauma is not my identity.
Part III: Outer. Relating to others; healing or releasing unhealthy relationships.
5) Forgiveness and letting go are on the path to liberation.
6) I do not judge or impose my orientations upon others.
Part IV: Beyond. How we interact with the world. Aligning discretionary time with your true life priorities as well as supporting others on this path.
7) Time is our most precious currency.
8) I seek ways to support others.
This is a very readable and thought provoking book. As I read it, I was easily able to identify some things in my own life that I intend to spend less time on in the future so that I have more time to pursue activities that interest me and will place my life in better alignment with my goals and desires. Very helpful and well done!
My thanks to the author and to Flatiron Books for giving me access to a DRC of the book via NetGalley. Publication is 1/6/26. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
February 11, 2026
Undimmed truly made me rethink everything.
Ceciliy Mak challenges a belief so many of us unconsciously carry—that growth is only necessary when something is broken. This book beautifully dismantles that idea. You don’t need to have a crisis, a diagnosis, or a glaring flaw to want to evolve. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to reach higher.
One of the most powerful takeaways from Undimmed is the simple but radical permission it gives: it’s enough to want more for yourself simply because you’re capable of more. Self-improvement doesn’t have to be rooted in shame or deficiency. It can come from curiosity, desire, and self-respect.
This is a book that expands you quietly but profoundly. It reframes growth not as repair work—but as expansion. And that’s a concept that deserves to be far more widely accepted.
If you’re ready to look at your own evolution in a new light, Undimmed is a beautiful place to start.
Ceciliy Mak challenges a belief so many of us unconsciously carry—that growth is only necessary when something is broken. This book beautifully dismantles that idea. You don’t need to have a crisis, a diagnosis, or a glaring flaw to want to evolve. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to reach higher.
One of the most powerful takeaways from Undimmed is the simple but radical permission it gives: it’s enough to want more for yourself simply because you’re capable of more. Self-improvement doesn’t have to be rooted in shame or deficiency. It can come from curiosity, desire, and self-respect.
This is a book that expands you quietly but profoundly. It reframes growth not as repair work—but as expansion. And that’s a concept that deserves to be far more widely accepted.
If you’re ready to look at your own evolution in a new light, Undimmed is a beautiful place to start.
March 11, 2026
I very much enjoyed this self-help perspective on identifying dimming behaviors—behaviors that aren’t adding value to your life and instead take energy away from areas you value more. At times it reads more like a memoir, which helped make it feel relatable.
I also liked that she created the 8 Awarenesses as her own version of the 12 steps of AA, which made the framework feel more personal and unique to her experience.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to become more aware of behaviors they’d like to change and learn practical ways to start doing so.
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I also liked that she created the 8 Awarenesses as her own version of the 12 steps of AA, which made the framework feel more personal and unique to her experience.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to become more aware of behaviors they’d like to change and learn practical ways to start doing so.
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
March 13, 2026
This book felt like sitting down with someone who truly understands the messy parts of life. Cecily Mak writes with honesty and warmth, and it made the reflections feel really personal. Undimmed is full of thoughtful moments about resilience, faith, and holding onto hope even when things feel uncertain. I appreciated how the stories didn’t pretend life is easy but instead show how strength grows through difficulty. It’s the kind of book you read slowly because so many lines make you pause and think. I walked away feeling a little lighter and more grounded.
March 13, 2026
I picked up Undimmed expecting a reflective read, and it delivered even more than that. Cecily Mak combines personal stories with deeper reflections about staying hopeful when life feels overwhelming. The tone is calm and encouraging, which makes it easy to keep turning the pages. Some sections felt almost like a quiet conversation rather than a typical inspirational book. It’s the kind of book that reminds you strength doesn’t always look loud or dramatic. Sometimes it simply means continuing forward with faith.
March 13, 2026
Undimmed offers a refreshing kind of inspiration, one that feels calm, reflective, and sincere. Cecily Mak shares lessons about faith and perseverance in a way that feels deeply personal. The book encourages readers to stay grounded and trust that light can still shine even in difficult circumstances. I enjoyed the balance between storytelling and thoughtful reflection. It’s the type of book you can return to when you need a moment of encouragement. Overall, it’s a meaningful and uplifting read.
January 13, 2026
This is part memoir, part self help. I found the memoir part easy to relate to - I experienced similar experiences as this author when I gave up drinking and the strange fall out that can happen. I liked the concept of learning the ways we dim ourselves and what are some ways we can learn to not. I don’t think there was anything revolutionary written, however it was accessible and interesting and a nice reminder of how important reflection is as we grow and change and learn. I will probably read this one again to remind myself of some of the important take aways.
The narration was great, really enjoyed the audiobook listen.
The narration was great, really enjoyed the audiobook listen.
February 12, 2026
A Great Perspective on Empowered Change
This was helpful to me as someone who has decided to live alcohol free after many years of what she calls dimming. No labels, no shaming, just compassion and uncovering what caused the dimming. She offers insightful tools for how to purposefully navigate creating a life you do not need to escape from. It just validates that I can live a life free from alcohol with joy and gratitude.
This was helpful to me as someone who has decided to live alcohol free after many years of what she calls dimming. No labels, no shaming, just compassion and uncovering what caused the dimming. She offers insightful tools for how to purposefully navigate creating a life you do not need to escape from. It just validates that I can live a life free from alcohol with joy and gratitude.
March 13, 2026
What stood out to me about Undimmed was how authentic it felt. Cecily Mak writes openly about challenges and the process of finding light in difficult situations. The reflections are thoughtful without feeling heavy, and they offer practical encouragement along the way. I liked that the book balances honesty about struggles with genuine hope. It feels like a reminder that resilience grows quietly over time. By the end, I felt encouraged rather than overwhelmed.
March 13, 2026
Undimmed is the kind of book that lingers in your mind after you finish a chapter. Cecily Mak shares meaningful insights about faith, purpose, and navigating life’s uncertainties. The writing is calm and sincere, which makes the message feel even more powerful. I found myself highlighting a few passages that really spoke to me. It’s not rushed or dramatic, it’s more like a steady reminder to keep going. Perfect for readers who enjoy thoughtful, reflective books.
March 13, 2026
Reading Undimmed felt like receiving quiet encouragement during a tough season. Cecily Mak approaches heavy topics with grace and honesty, which made the book very relatable. Instead of offering quick fixes, she focuses on perspective and resilience. I appreciated how the stories emphasize hope without ignoring the reality of hardship. The tone is comforting and thoughtful throughout. It’s a great book to pick up when you need reassurance that brighter moments still lie ahead.
January 27, 2026
This book came at a time I needed it most. Having gone through my own journey with abuse and addiction to alcohol and having cancer it meant everything to read this and to feel hopeful about my future again. Nobody should live their life dimmed if they can help it. Everyone has the ability to choose and to choose better. And I choose better too.
December 23, 2025
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
This was well written and raw. Gives insight into the layers of crutches.
This was well written and raw. Gives insight into the layers of crutches.
December 23, 2025
I got this ALC audiobook from libro.fm and I’m glad I gave it a listen. Memoir mixed with self help. While I didn’t agree with every take, it was a quick read and made me think.
January 19, 2026
An incredibly valuable framework and inspiration.
January 31, 2026
Such a lovely book about taking life into your own hands and creating spaces for yourself to learn what it means to be undimmed.
February 16, 2026
*well-written, easy to read
*informative and very educational
*highly recommend
*informative and very educational
*highly recommend
Read
March 21, 2026I removed by star rating since it is very memoir-ish and I really hate giving “stars” to someone’s story. This book was not for me.
Read
February 9, 2026It's a little hard for me to review this book, because it isn't just your typical self-help book, but also quite memoir-heavy as well, and I always find it challenging to rate someone's lived experience. We learn about the author's past and present struggles, her family's issues, her past traumas, her mother's alcoholism, and much more, and then we learn how it all ties into her decision to "undim" her life by cutting out unwanted habits.
The author herself admits that this is her own take on Alcoholics Anonymous's famous "Twelve Steps," and this really could have been called her "Eight Awarenesses for People Who Don't Think They're an Addict or Have a Problem." There's not a lot of brand new or eye-opening information here, but it was presented well, and I think that it will definitely resonate with a lot of readers, especially those in the Gen X and Millennial generations.
Personally, I really clicked with the audiobook (though I did find it to be quite a bit repetitive at times), and I found myself thinking about a lot of the "dimming" behaviors that I partake in and changes I'd like to make in my own life.
Thank you to Flatiron Books for providing me with a printed ARC and for NetGalley for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
The author herself admits that this is her own take on Alcoholics Anonymous's famous "Twelve Steps," and this really could have been called her "Eight Awarenesses for People Who Don't Think They're an Addict or Have a Problem." There's not a lot of brand new or eye-opening information here, but it was presented well, and I think that it will definitely resonate with a lot of readers, especially those in the Gen X and Millennial generations.
Personally, I really clicked with the audiobook (though I did find it to be quite a bit repetitive at times), and I found myself thinking about a lot of the "dimming" behaviors that I partake in and changes I'd like to make in my own life.
Thank you to Flatiron Books for providing me with a printed ARC and for NetGalley for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
February 22, 2026
A lovely memoir style proposal of how to get connected to our wise self. The author used their experience with alcohol to propose reflection points for self awareness. “Dimmers” we use to manage the big emotions we never learned the skills to cope with, things like alcohol, being busy, makeup, reading, anything that we pick up in an effort to avoid the feelings and truth of the world around us.
This book is great for harm reduction! If people want to explore taking breaks from anything they may be overusing, without feeling labeled as an addict, or feel the rigid expectations of “sobriety” language, this is a great option! I appreciated the reflection around alcohol use in our society in a neutral and non blaming tone. So many people perceive addiction as a binary, and this writing goes a long way for destigmatizing all kinds of decisions people make.
This book is great for harm reduction! If people want to explore taking breaks from anything they may be overusing, without feeling labeled as an addict, or feel the rigid expectations of “sobriety” language, this is a great option! I appreciated the reflection around alcohol use in our society in a neutral and non blaming tone. So many people perceive addiction as a binary, and this writing goes a long way for destigmatizing all kinds of decisions people make.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews