“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! 😅