The speaker humorously redefines failure—not as a shameful weakness, but as a wise, nagging teacher that pushes us to grow. Through personal stories and sharp insights, the talk reveals how fear of failure limits our courage, creativity, and joy. By learning to face mistakes with honesty and resilience, we transform failure from a burden into a powerful force that shapes confidence, strength, and true growth. Sarah Shen is a reflective young voice dedicated to reshaping how people see failure. She’s passionate about challenging the unspoken pressure to “pretend success” and the shame that lingers around missteps—believing these norms steal vital chances to grow. Sarah shares a fresh take: failure isn’t something to hide, but a natural, valuable part of progress. Her goal is clear: to help peers let go of the fear of imperfection and recognize that resilience grows from facing, not avoiding, setbacks. 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