The Decision: Breaking the Cycle of Avoidance | Raissa Pahlevi | TEDxAvicenna Cinere School

What if the small decisions you make every day are quietly shaping the person you become?

This emotional and personal talk explores how fear of judgment can turn into a cycle of avoidance and what happens when we finally choose to move forward, even while we are still afraid.

In this personal and thought provoking talk, Raissa Pahlevi reflects on a moment when she wanted to step onto the stage but chose to stay backstage, revealing how fear of judgment can shape not only our decisions, but also the way we see ourselves.

Blending her personal experience with insights from psychology, Raissa explores the spotlight effect, the brain’s response to fear, and the reinforcement loop that can make avoidance feel like a natural choice.

She invites us to look closer at the small decisions we make every day and asks whether we are truly choosing what we want or simply choosing what feels safe

Raissa Pahlevi is a 15 year old student at Avicenna Cinere Junior High School. She loves exploring new experiences and connecting with others through her friendly and approachable personality. However, many of her thoughts and aspirations have often been quietly held back by hesitation and self-doubt.

Through academics, sports, and everyday challenges, she has come to understand that fear is not always something to overcome, but something to grow alongside. This perspective inspired her TEDx Talks, in which she explores how fear, often seen as something negative, can quietly shape our growth and lead us toward unexpected opportunities. 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