Ever ended up with a pile of green mush that looks like swamp water? That happens when you over-chop. Stop the moment you have nice, uniform pieces.
Another rookie move: pressing down too hard. You’re not trying to juice the herb. Let the knife do the work. Light pressure equals fluffy, beautiful cilantro.
And please, please don’t use those terrible herb scissors. They’re a gimmick. They make a sticky, uneven mess. Just use a knife. I believe in you.