Back in January I went to TEDxLondon. I've always enjoyed watching TEDxTalks, so I was keen to experience the event in person. Full of enthusiasm, I booked my ticket last year—only to find myself forcing myself to go on a very, very rainy Sunday a few weeks ago. That's the price you pay for booking things in advance. I don't know about you, but I'm the type of person who needs things in the calendar, things to look forward to—it just makes life better.

First things first, I had no idea that TEDx is entirely run by volunteers. From the technical team to the people greeting you and handing out lanyards, it's all volunteer-led. That was incredible, and everyone was super friendly and helpful.

Here are three Lessons I Learned from this event.

1. A global perspective fuels gratitude.

The talks that day started at 11 a.m. and finished sometime before 5 p.m. They covered a range of topics—from life on an estate in northwest London to Afghanistan and Palestine. Listening to people who are immersed in these environments, so aware of the challenges, and still choose to do something meaningful was deeply inspiring.

André, for example, started a publishing house on an estate in London because he refused to accept the stereotype of coming from a “deprived” area. Another speaker had spent 10 years in Afghanistan documenting the reality of women and girls who are denied education. There was also a comedian who runs a comedy club in Palestine, describing (with a lot of humor, by the way) how they have to outsmart authorities just to perform. The reality of making people laugh in a war zone is something else.

And these are just three examples—there were plenty more. It really hit me, not for the first time, but in a very real way, how lucky and privileged I am. I usually remember that, but events like TEDx really turn the volume up on gratitude. When you hear these stories, you can’t help but feel admiration and appreciation at the same time.

2. Listening is great, but so is talking.

At first, I sat in one of the last rows, but for the afternoon session I had to move closer to the stage because they were filming and wanted to fill gaps in the audience. Someone sat next to me, and we just started chatting. It's so easy to meet like-minded people at TEDx.

At lunch, I saw groups of people wearing TEDx lanyards introducing themselves, discussing which talks they were most excited for, and sharing ideas. The same happened to me—we talked about our favourite talks, about our lives, and then went for coffee after the event and stayed in touch. TEDx is great for listening, but it’s also a brilliant space for meeting people who are curious, emotionally intelligent, and open to different perspectives. If you're looking for a place to meet interesting people, this is it.

Let me just quickly mention some of the talks.

Sophie’s talk.

Sophie was fully able-bodied until a car accident left her paralyzed and unable to walk. Suddenly, she had to rebuild absolutely everything.

And wow! If you follow her on Instagram, you will see that she travels, climbs, paraglides, kayaks, and skis. She’s a terrific writer and speaker and lives her life without holding back. Her talk was emotional, shocking, and hopeful. She shared horrific footage of how the airline industry mistreats disabled passengers, especially wheelchair users. People being forgotten by airline crew members, handled like objects and having their equipment damaged or lost. Together with my companion, we decided that Sophie stole the show. Her advocacy, Rights on **Flights, is pushing for real change and if you have the usual maximum 18 minutes a TED talk takes to watch, go and check out her talk. You won't regret it.

Ben’s talk.

Ben, a marine biologist, uses AI to study how coral reefs die—and how to save them. He played us footage of a healthy, thriving reef, and then a dead one, showing how AI helps analyze underwater recordings and identify patterns. One of the most shocking revelations was ‘bomb fishing’ in Indonesia, where fishermen use explosives that destroy coral reefs. AI helps track and identify these incidents and bring those responsible to justice. I had no idea this was happening. It was quite eye-opening.

Nathalie’s talk.

Nathalie is an expert in designing campaigns that work. She’s the mind behind those hard-hitting ads you see on trains—the ones featuring malnourished children or vulnerable communities, asking for donations. Her talk explored the psychology behind effective messaging, how to balance emotion with action, and why some campaigns fail while others inspire real change. If you’re familiar with the Karpman’s drama triangle, you know that the three typical roles humans play in dysfunctional conflict resolution are those of a sufferer, a blamer and a rescuer. Nathalie talked about how effective campaigns turn these three roles into those of a creator, a challenger and a coach instead. This way, instead of feeling anxiety when faced with a heart-wrenching campaign, you will feel hope and more willing to help.

3. Own your mistakes and people will forget them quicker

I learned my final lesson by observing how the audience reacts to speakers’ mistakes—it was so heartwarming. Let’s face it: speaking at TEDx must be extremely nerve-wracking. But each time someone forgot their words or froze, then inevitably composed themselves and continued, we, the audience, cheered them on. Phrases like “Actually, I forgot this part” or “I knew I would forget this” made everyone laugh and clap. We were with the speakers, fully aware that they were the action-takers, the change-makers. It felt like a privilege to sit there, in the comfort of those soft, warm seats, admiring them and silently thanking them for what they do.

Then there were the gestures of the speakers as they walked off stage, just before disappearing behind the curtain—relieved, happy, probably euphoric, still riding that adrenaline high. And sometimes, still beating themselves up over the smallest mistake. Watching these moments unfold live was a joy—something you’d never see on a TED Talk YouTube video, where everything is neatly edited and optimised for an online audience. But witnessing those raw, unfiltered reactions and small celebrations of success was pure magic.

I’ve always known that making mistakes is fine, as long as you learn from them. What TEDx London showed me is how much more quickly your mistakes are forgiven when you own them.

My day was special. And I still think about it. I still reflect on the speakers’ attitudes, values, and actions. If you ever get a chance to go to a TEDx event, take it. It's so worth it. You will leave with a much broader perspective, tonnes of gratitude and maybe even some new friends.