In this deeply personal and inspiring talk, Alaa Sharif challenges the conventional notion of mistakes. Drawing from her own journey—from facing the heartbreak of failing her university thesis to overcoming burnout and cultural identity struggles—Alaa shares how she transformed setbacks into powerful lessons by owning her decisions. She explores the pressure of perfectionism, the importance of seeking help, and the courage it takes to embrace life’s uncertainties. Alaa invites us all to shift our mindset from blaming mistakes to recognizing choices as valuable teachers, empowering us to take responsibility and find meaning in every outcome. Her story is a testament to resilience, self-compassion, and the strength found in vulnerability. Alaa is a graduate of Cyber security and advocates for mental health awareness in Kurdistan. She works with Kurdish youth on a daily basis This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx