Lessons from Zoolander

I watched Zoolander for the first time in 15 years last night. While watching I remembered how intimidated I used to be by the world of fashion and cool. Even though Zoolander is a parody, I still remember thinking that I wished I was as cool as Hansel. 

Watching it again it is easy to see through that world. No doubt I have matured and become more comfortable in my own skin (and clothes). But there is something about looking back on a trend in the superficial, with the perspective of years, that takes away its ability to exclude and intimidate. 

It is a small but sometimes difficult extension to then think about the circumstances within which I feel excluded and intimidated today. Instead of remaining in that moment of paralysis, what would trying to think like my future self do to my agency and approach to that situation?