People Who Left Their Ugly Duckling Phase As A Distant Memory
We all grow up with the knowledge that our bodies are going to change as we get older. Puberty is a thing everyone knows about, but it's not something that affects everyone in the same way.
For some people, they hit their stride as a teenager and turn from an awkward 12-year-old into a confident 17-year-old. For others, it takes a few more years or a little more effort until they fully transform from an ugly duckling into a swan, but we all get there eventually.
The Difference Shaving Can Make
If you're going to go to the effort of growing a beard or growing facial hair, it's also important to go to the effort of maintaining it properly.
A little bit of weight loss and a lot of shaving made a big difference.
That Hairstyle Wouldn't Have Worked For Anyone
She says the biggest difference between age 11 and age 30 is that she got braces to straighten out her smile, but braces couldn't have made up for anything if she still had that haircut.
"Still Feel A Lot Like The Kid On The Left"
No matter how many changes your body goes through, you might still end up feeling like the awkward nerdy kid that you were at 12, even if you look like this man does at 26.
From A Boy To A Man
It only took 12 years for this boy to grow into the happy, well-groomed 25-year-old with a great smile on the right. He was happy when he was 13, but he's much more comfortable now.
Learning How To Smile
Learning how to smile and how to pose for a photo can make a huge difference. Plenty of awkward childhood photos could have been better if we'd all learned how to stand properly, but a few other things changed for her between 11 and 28 too.
Life Begins At 40
Life can begin whenever you choose to let it. For this woman, life began at 40. The photo on the left is her at 25, compared to how she looks now at 40.
Puberty Can Be A Wonderful Thing
For this young man, the years between 14 and 19 were very kind to him because he turned out looking like this. He "lost some weight, and gained some confidence."
The Power Of Eyebrows
You don't realize what a difference having visible eyebrows makes for someone's face until you see a comparison like this one. Filling in her brows, plus "my hairline somehow growing forward" makes all the difference.
Losing His Hair Was For The Best
He knows that his haircut in high school would not be considered cool anymore, but at 16, he was very on-trend. At 46, though, he's said goodbye to the mullet.
Even Her Family Doesn't Recognize Her These Days
The wacky expression definitely didn't help to make her look any better in the original photo, but a lot of other things have changed for her between 12 and 24. She says even family she hasn't seen for a long time sometimes don't recognize her!
High School Does Not Need To Be The Best Years Of Your Life
He felt "geeky" in high school because of his weight and his look, but now he's in his 30s and is "the most confident I've been in my life." Shoutout to braces and Lasik.
From 13 To 34
In the photo on the left, she's 13, but honestly, she looks a lot younger at 34 than she did as a 13-year-old. Those Coke bottle glasses were not doing anybody any favors.
"Lost A Chin, But Gained A Smile"
A lot of changes happen between age 12 and age 27. Whatever happened in those years for her, she's left a lot happier and more confident in who she is.
The Joy Of Clear Skin
"My skin cleared up, I got braces, learned how to make up and fill in my eyebrows." It can take a long time to figure out what works for your skin, like for this girl who showed the difference between her at 11 and her at 25.
Putting In The Work
Sometimes it's not so much about waiting for your body to do the work, as much as it's about putting your body to work. After two years of going to the gym consistently, you can see the difference.
Some Things Haven't Changed
Between 12 and 29, a lot of things have changed for this woman, but she still kept the shorter hair and glasses. They're simply a more stylish version of them!
Only A Few Changes
I don't care what you say, there is pretty much no world where that hairstyle was going to be flattering on someone. He might have been happy about it at the time, but it's a good thing it's gone.
Shoutout To The Dermatologist
Clear skin is something many people want, but it can be difficult to achieve, especially when you're a teenager. Sometimes you need to turn to the professionals, like this woman did, who can help you see a difference in just a year.
Letting Go Of More Than Just Weight
From 320 pounds to a healthy 250 pounds, plus a skincare routine, and less of an obsession with punk rock. On top of all that, he let go of the anger he felt and is now much happier.
Fast-Forward Through Those Fashion Trends
Our parents could have done all of us a lot of good if they had forced us to make better fashion choices when we were kids. She regrets losing the hat, but the rest of it can stay lost.
