Chapter 1: A Turning Point

The phrase that changed my life was "Sic Parvis Magna." A few years back, I started to feel an unsettling restlessness within me. I was lacking meaningful direction both in my creative endeavors and my career. Neglecting my well-being contributed to a nihilistic mindset, and the most troubling aspect was how damaging my self-relationship had become.

Via Unsplash user Colin + Meg

Despite taking initial steps towards change, I found it difficult to navigate through years of negative thinking and harmful self-talk. Panic attacks on my daily commute became a norm, and in the evenings, I would try to dull my rising self-hatred. I justified my behavior in countless ways, yet I remained lost.

Realizing that I needed to shift my trajectory, I began attending therapy. While it provided some support, it primarily acted as a lifeline to prevent me from sinking deeper. Progress only began when I took charge of my own recovery.

At the core of my self-doubt was a flicker of belief that I held untapped potential. The Uncharted video game series resonated deeply with me during my childhood. The protagonist, Nathan Drake, embarks on adventures to uncover lost cities filled with treasures, realizing a "greatness" he once only imagined as an orphan. Although Drake claims to be an illegitimate descendant of Sir Francis Drake, his journey to success was fraught with challenges. He adopted the mantra, "Sic Parvis Magna," meaning "Greatness from small beginnings."

I aspired to achieve something similar, albeit without the lost cities, ancient curses, mercenaries, and pirates.

At one point, I even purchased a replica of the Francis Drake ring that Nathan wears in the game. Although I acquired it years before my struggle with depression, I found myself clinging to that mantra during my hardest times.

I started wearing the ring every day. Whenever negative thoughts overwhelmed me, I would grasp it tightly and repeat the words: “Greatness from small beginnings. Greatness from small beginnings. Greatness from small beginnings.” This was my way of reminding myself that there was something within me worth fighting for, a small flame I refused to extinguish.

The benefits weren't immediately apparent, but I persisted. Eventually, I began reclaiming my identity, starting with a commitment to regular exercise. I believed that a strong physical effort was essential in proving my willingness to fight for the person I wanted to become.

This was a crucial first step, as physical activity helps eliminate cortisol—the stress hormone—from the body. It also triggers the release of endorphins and Anandamide, contributing to that uplifting "runner’s high." After a few weeks, I started feeling better about myself. Although the scale didn’t reflect drastic changes, I could at least acknowledge my effort.

Following this, I incorporated more mindful practices like meditation, journaling, and other creative outlets. The modest improvements soon compounded, turning into significant milestones of personal growth.

The weight began to drop at an astonishing rate. To date, I have shed 75 pounds and am in the best shape of my life. I have nearly eradicated the negative self-talk that once consumed me, and I have learned to befriend myself in the process. My emotional resilience has strengthened, and I effectively completed therapy just months after embracing my self-care routine.

Throughout this journey, I continued to wear the ring, watching as that small flame of belief transformed into a vibrant bonfire. Acknowledging the significant role these words played in my life, I even had them tattooed over my heart—well, more accurately, my left pectoral.

As I wrapped up my studies and made the long-awaited career transition, I realized that I had achieved everything I set out to do.

While I am not claiming that life is now perfect, I have cultivated substantial emotional resilience and newfound confidence to tackle any challenges that come my way.

In my search for a lifeline to escape the depths of depression, I rediscovered three Latin words from a cherished video game, providing me with not just hope but a means to elevate myself.

Regardless of whether those words resonate with you, the significance of personal mantras or deeply held beliefs can indeed serve as support during difficult times.

If you don’t have a mantra of your own, consider creating one. It doesn’t need to be entirely unique; mine originated from a 2007 video game.

Reflect on what message or belief you want to embody in your life. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—distill it to its simplest form and rely on it whenever you find yourself in need.

It worked for me. Why couldn't it work for you as well?