"I've Never Done This Before"

Central Park, Earth and Sky, Diana+ with Velvia 100 filmI'm a total beginner over here these days, doing all kinds of things I've never done before. When my daughter goes back to school next week, I'm using the extra time for a couple crash courses of my own.  I often feel pressure to look like I know what I'm doing (the looking like part is even more important than the actual knowing part), which makes learning about saving face and looking good.

Eh.  As you know, my growing suspicion is that looking good is overrated. 

How great would it be to just own my beginner status?  I'd love to have a t-shirt that said, "I've never done this before," that I could wear.  Or, I could just live as if I were wearing that shirt. I soften and slow down when I learn the barista is new on the job, I dig up extra patience for people who are still in training.  I have great affection for people who aren't slick or put together yet, but are putting themselves out there anyway.

We often extend extra grace to beginners, and I will be happy to draw on as much of that grace as I can this month.  I'm not sure if the t-shirt will get made or not, but if you see me looking disorganized, clumsy, awkward or disheveled, just think, "She's probably never done this before."

What t-shirt could you use today?  What would happen if you just started living as if you were wearing it right now?  I'd love to know.