Alright, so “non timebo mala” – sounds pretty intense, right? It’s Latin, and it basically means “I will fear no evil.” I stumbled upon this phrase and thought, “Hey, that’s a cool motto to live by, let’s see if I can actually embody it somehow.” So I started this little experiment, a personal challenge, if you will.
Getting Started
First, I needed to figure out what “evil” even meant to me. It’s not like I’m fighting dragons or anything. I realized it’s more about those everyday fears and anxieties – fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of the unknown. Those little things that hold you back.
So, I made a list. Yeah, a good old-fashioned list. I wrote down all the things that made me nervous or anxious, big or small. Everything from “giving a presentation at work” to “trying a new recipe.” Seriously, everything.
Facing the Fears
Then came the hard part – actually doing the things on the list. I started small. Like, really small. One day, I forced myself to make small talk with the cashier at the grocery store, even though I usually just avoid eye contact. Baby steps, you know?
Then i put myself out there.
- Ordered something completely different at my regular coffee place
- Wore that bright colored shirt that always get looks
- Try to sing a song
- Just doing some workout
Each time I did something that scared me, even a tiny bit, I’d mark it off the list. It felt surprisingly good. Like, “Yeah, I did that! I faced the fear and I’m still here!”
The Realizations
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, of course. Some things were harder than others. I definitely messed up a few times, felt awkward, embarrassed, even wanted to quit. But I kept reminding myself of “non timebo mala.” It became like a little mantra, a reminder to keep pushing.
The biggest thing I learned? Most of the time, the fear is way worse than the reality. Like, 99% of the things I worried about never even happened. And even when things did go wrong, it wasn’t the end of the world. I survived. I learned. I grew.
So, am I completely fearless now? Nah. But I’m definitely more willing to step outside my comfort zone. I’m more willing to take risks, to try new things, to face those little “evils” that used to hold me back. It’s an ongoing process, a journey, but it’s one that’s definitely worth *’s just like keeping doing every samll step, and keeping doing.
