"How the first feels" memes are a creative spin-off from the broader category of exaggerated reaction memes. This format typically features a mundane or everyday activity, like having a first cigarette or beer, paired with a hyperbolic video or image that suggests a world-shifting event. The concept amplifies the emotion associated with these small pleasures to a cinematic level, often using over-the-top visuals such as explosions or dramatic music to mimic the feeling of an epic moment. This approach plays into the universal human experience of taking delight in simple, personal joys.