diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index d4359ae..021d779 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](http://keepachangelog.com/) and this p
 
 ### Changed
 
+- Changes `gitlens.statusBar.reduceFlicker` to be on by default and improves it's display — closes [#1353](https://github.com/eamodio/vscode-gitlens/issues/1353)
 - Changes the _Interactive Rebase Editor_ to abort the rebase if you just close it without choosing an action
 - Changes _Push to Commit..._ on the HEAD commit to be _Push_ instead as there is no need for a commit specific push in that case
 - Renames _Browse from Here_ command to _Browse Repository from Here_ in the command palette and quick pick menus
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 4941f2f..8d27510 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1653,7 +1653,7 @@
 				},
 				"gitlens.statusBar.reduceFlicker": {
 					"type": "boolean",
-					"default": false,
+					"default": true,
 					"markdownDescription": "Specifies whether to avoid clearing the previous blame information when changing lines to reduce status bar \"flashing\"",
 					"scope": "window"
 				},
diff --git a/src/annotations/lineAnnotationController.ts b/src/annotations/lineAnnotationController.ts
index a606c96..85a679b 100644
--- a/src/annotations/lineAnnotationController.ts
+++ b/src/annotations/lineAnnotationController.ts
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ export class LineAnnotationController implements Disposable {
 					dateFormat: cfg.dateFormat === null ? Container.config.defaultDateFormat : cfg.dateFormat,
 					getBranchAndTagTips: getBranchAndTagTips,
 					pullRequestOrRemote: prs?.get(commit.ref),
+					pullRequestPendingMessage: `PR ${GlyphChars.Ellipsis}`,
 				},
 				cfg.scrollable,
 			) as DecorationOptions;
diff --git a/src/git/formatters/commitFormatter.ts b/src/git/formatters/commitFormatter.ts
index 7921d64..95079c4 100644
--- a/src/git/formatters/commitFormatter.ts
+++ b/src/git/formatters/commitFormatter.ts
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ export interface CommitFormatOptions extends FormatOptions {
 	messageIndent?: number;
 	messageTruncateAtNewLine?: boolean;
 	pullRequestOrRemote?: PullRequest | Promises.CancellationError | GitRemote;
+	pullRequestPendingMessage?: string;
 	presence?: ContactPresence;
 	previousLineDiffUris?: { current: GitUri; previous: GitUri | undefined };
 	remotes?: GitRemote<RemoteProvider>[];
@@ -507,7 +508,7 @@ export class CommitFormatter extends Formatter<GitCommit, CommitFormatOptions> {
 		} else if (pr instanceof Promises.CancellationError) {
 			text = this._options.markdown
 				? `[PR $(sync~spin)](command:${Commands.RefreshHover} "Searching for a Pull Request (if any) that introduced this commit...")`
-				: `PR ${GlyphChars.Ellipsis}`;
+				: this._options?.pullRequestPendingMessage ?? emptyStr;
 		} else {
 			return this._padOrTruncate(emptyStr, this._options.tokenOptions.pullRequest);
 		}
diff --git a/src/statusbar/statusBarController.ts b/src/statusbar/statusBarController.ts
index 05924ef..9ea8256 100644
--- a/src/statusbar/statusBarController.ts
+++ b/src/statusbar/statusBarController.ts
@@ -131,6 +131,8 @@ export class StatusBarController implements Disposable {
 
 		if (clear) {
 			this.clearBlame();
+		} else if (this._statusBarBlame != null) {
+			this._statusBarBlame.text = this._statusBarBlame.text.replace('$(git-commit)', '$(sync~spin)');
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -177,6 +179,7 @@ export class StatusBarController implements Disposable {
 			getBranchAndTagTips: getBranchAndTagTips,
 			messageTruncateAtNewLine: true,
 			pullRequestOrRemote: pr,
+			pullRequestPendingMessage: 'PR $(sync~spin)',
 		})}`;
 
 		switch (cfg.command) {