About this quote

Living in constant fear makes your world smaller and your choices poorer. It pushes you toward safe patterns that keep you from taking small risks that matter. Notice one place where anxiety is running the show — a relationship you avoid, a call you never make, a goal you postpone — and pick one tiny action to change it. Small repeated steps widen what feels possible.

When to use it

• After refusing to apply for the promotion because she worried she wasn't ready, she said, "Terrible thing to live in fear," and opened the application form.
• Before calling his sister to clear the air, he took a deep breath and told himself, "Terrible thing to live in fear," then dialed her number.
• He had put off a health check for months; finally he muttered, "Terrible thing to live in fear," and booked the appointment online.
• Facing the tryouts, she whispered, "Terrible thing to live in fear," and signed up for the practice session she'd been avoiding.