“Act like you’ve been there before” is a cliché I’ve heard that means to behave in a situation that is new and exciting to you as if it is something old and familiar to you instead.
As a closeted transfeminine person, I’m thinking about painting my fingernails black - wearing coloured polish in public would be a first for me. And I’m thinking of getting them done at a salon - another first.
I’m so nervous but excited. I know from experience of rocking neutral or clear polish as a cis-looking AMAB person that being super nonchalant about having painted nails in public will lead to me having a better time, which is ironic because rocking painted fingernails in public is like bucket list-level excitement for me. But to assuage my high levels of social anxiety and increase my odds of having a good time, I know I ought to be nonchalant or “act like I’ve been there before.” It’s kind of humorous to me, even though I obviously don’t think there should be any stigma at all.
The more I dwell on this, the more I realize it’s important to me and I should do it. Gotta gather my courage tho! 😅
Do it! Ive def been there my friend, and i can tell you that it feels good as hell. If you find comfort in “act like youve been there before” then more power to you, but i also think that people should be free to be excited about things! Enthusiasm is great for your self esteem, or at least it is for me!
Thank you!! I definitely agree with you about excitement being good, I just don’t want to incite gawking and get self-conscious lol. Maybe I can find a quiet place in a park or something to admire my nails and give excitement its due reign 🥳