PM

 Premeditatio malorum is a Latin phrase that translates to “the premeditation of evils” or more naturally, “anticipating potential problems.”

It’s a concept from Stoicism, especially associated with thinkers like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius.

What it means in practice

The idea is simple but powerful:
You deliberately imagine things going wrong—loss, failure, embarrassment, setbacks—not to be pessimistic, but to prepare yourself mentally.

Why Stoics used it

• It reduces fear of the unknown
• It builds emotional resilience
• It helps you respond calmly when things actually go wrong
• It increases appreciation for what you currently have

Example

Before an important meeting, you might think:

• “What if I mess up my presentation?”
• “What if someone challenges me aggressively?”

Then you mentally rehearse how you’d handle those situations. When (or if) they happen, you’re not caught off guard.

The key nuance

This isn’t doom-spiraling. The goal isn’t anxiety—it’s preparedness with perspective. The Stoics paired this with the idea that many external events are outside your control, but your response isn’t.

If you want,  I can show you a quick 2-minute version of how to actually practice it daily without overthinking it.