the color of being seen
red nails, perception, and the psychology of expression
there’s a theory—maybe you’ve heard it
red nails
the idea that when you wear red nails, people—especially men—notice
not because red is just red, but because it lingers in memory
it reminds them of something. someone
a woman who was confident. loud, maybe
or elegant
maybe both
a woman who wasn’t afraid to be seen
and here’s where it gets interesting—what shifts in us when we know someone’s paying attention?
what parts of ourselves surface when we feel acknowledged?
and more importantly: who are we when we think no one’s watching?
the psychology of being perceived isn’t just about appearance
it’s about identity
it’s about the unspoken rules we build around what we believe people expect from us—and the way we either mold ourselves into that… or burn it down entirely
this is where journaling comes in
not for answers.but for asking better questions
why is it so hard to express yourself fully ?why does it feel dangerous to be honest—not just with the world, but with yourself? what are you afraid they’ll say if you actually show up as who you are?
for me, it was fashion illustration
colors, silhouettes, strokes that didn’t need permission
it saved me in a thousand small ways
but it took years to even begin. years of shrinking myself
of feeling like expressing what i loved would make me look… foolish
vulnerable
but not doing it hurt more
i had to build confidence like a house with no blueprint
i had to wear things that didn’t “make sense.”
draw lines that didn’t follow rules
and i had to do it again and again until i realized:the world doesn’t get to decide what makes you bold you do
so this week, pull out a journal
ask yourself the hard stuff and then—express something you’ve been keeping in
even if it’s just a red manicure
even if it’s a sketch no one sees
even if it’s a sentence that feels too raw to say out loud
do it anyway and keep doing it
xx,
LB
song of the post ✴︎
Sway by Rosemary Clooney
Rosemary’s version is smoother, sharper, and way more dangerous. It doesn’t flirt, it hypnotizes. It’s the sound of walking into a room, already knowing everyone’s watching. Total red-nail, glass-of-something-dark energy.
i resonate w fashion being one of the first flowers that rooted me in my personal agency! what i think is interesting though is i came to understand what others saw as raw and unapologetic confidence was really just me being loud with color or texture and finding comfort in the fact that i was able to draw peoples eyes there instead of my physical insecurities. i’m proud to say nowadays just the thrill of getting to express an unconventional image is enough—and it’s no longer saddened by what i wished to bury under it.