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People Share Their Incredible “Ugly Duckling” Transformations And It’s Hard To Believe They’re The Same People
Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen published The Ugly Duckling in 1843, and a huge reason why the fairy tale is famous to this day is that of how relatable it is. It's a heartwarming story about personal transformation for the better, revolving around inner beauty just as much as it does around its outer counterpart when the duckling turns into a beautiful swan.
Now, no matter how pretty you might've been since the day you were born, we all go through that awkward stage in early puberty. The puberty stage when your body proportions might sadly relate to ones of a manatee. Pair it with a haircut enhancing none of your good features, add braces and some questionable fashion choices, and voila - you've got yourself something to be ashamed of years later. Luckily, when the body transformation is completed, a beautiful swan, just like from the Ugly Duckling, emerges.
To prove that the Longbottoming Syndrome (named after an actor from the Harry Potter series, Matthew Lewis) is an intrinsic part of life, people are sharing their personal before and after pics. Viewing these amazing photos, it's clear that you never know what time has prepared for you. Even though these late bloomers had to wait a little longer than others to grow into their looks fully, the results seem totally worth it. Scroll down to check out their stunning before-and-after images!
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#1
I Must Say, Being An Ugly Duckling (Both Self-described And By The Perception Of Others) Made Me A Much Better Person Than I Might Have Been Had I Always Been "Pretty"
RELATED:
#2
So Much Can Change In Few Years
#3
Taking The Cake On This One
Anne Bustyvel 7 years ago
I dont think the kid is ugly just because he is a bit chubby. He looks like a creative boy. Cute kid! Handsome man!
#4
My Sister, Before And After
#5
Oh, I So Got This One
#6
Here's Freshman Year Of College (17) Vs. Now (25)
#7
Puberty Hits
Ronja Rövardotter 7 years ago
This guy reminds me of the famous Neville Longbottom transformation :-) I don't know but they kind of look alike. :-) Both handsome now o:-)
#8
So This Is Me In 8th Grade And This Is Me Now As A Senior
#9
Holy Freckles Batman
#10
Freshman 20 And 3 Years Later
#11
Before And After
#12
The Before Vs. The After. I Feel Like I've Improved A Bit
#13
Me Age 15 And Me Age 21
Bridgette David 7 years ago
Congratulations on beating your acne. I know how painful and hard to control it is.
#14
People From High School Usually Recognize Me Just Enough To Ask If I Have A Younger Brother
#15
Still Don't Think I'm Quite Over The Syndrome, But I Do Know I'm Heaps Better
#16
My Prepubescent Grandma-esque Appearance Is Still The Butt Of Many Jokes From Friends And Family Today
#17
Me In Grade 9 Vs. This Summer At My Cousin's Wedding
#18
I Went Through A Mega-Awkward Stage
#19
Man, I Was Good Looking
#20
Bowl Cut + No Eyelashes + Lipstick On A 1st Grader
#21
Me At 13, And Again At 22
#22
Who Would Have Thought That First Guy Would Ever Reproduce
#23
Before, Depressed, In The Closet, Overweight And After, Doing My Thing In Chicago
#24
Here's Me Then; Shy, Socially Awkward, Big Eared And Unlucky With The Ladies And Here's Me Now; Shy, Socially Awkward, Big Eared And Unlucky With The Ladies
#25
Chubby Kid With Afro Vs. After
#26
I Got This
#28
I Think I Got Less Creepy Over Time
Skunk Drunk 7 years ago
"It took you 12 minutes to get home. Google Maps said it would take 8. WHO IS SHE?"
#29
Took About 8 Years Of Not Being A B*tch But I Think Things Turned Out Okay
#30
How I Looked At The Start Of 2006 And That's Me At The End Of 2011
#31
Needless To Say, Middle School Was A Rough Time
Bridgette David 7 years ago
It was rough for pretty much everbody regardless of how "cool" they looked from other kid's perspectives. Adolescence sucks.
#32
Three Ugly Ducklings Then And Three Full Fledged Geese Now
#33
Before And After
#34
It Took Me Some Time To Finally Become A Man!
#35
Myself At The Wonderful, And Never Awkward, Age Of 15. And Here's Me 6 Years Later At 21 Years Old. Perhaps It Wasn't "Ugly Duckling," As Much As It Was "Kind Of Overweight Duckling."
#36
I Don't Think I'm Anything Special Now But The Before Picture Cracks Me Up
#37
25 Years Of Transformation...dear Teens, You're Fine Just As You Are!
Final score:
98points
jacluckycat 7 years ago
I like his caption. The rest of these people are killing me with the hypercritical negativity towards themselves as children.
#38
Here's Me At About 14 And Here I Am A Few Months Ago
#39
Ugly As F*ck Duckling Vs. Now
#40
Middle School Vs. Now
#41
First Pic (fat One) Grade 9. Second Is First Year University
#42
I Really Can't Explain The Quote. I Had A Profound Admiration For Antionio Banderas
#43
I Was Always The "Ugly" Friend And Never Had Guys Like Me Until Years After High School. I Had Cystic Acne Since Age 13 And Was Bullied Immensely In High School
#45
Before And After
Emily Whittaker 7 years ago
All this makes me sad. Everyone is awkward looking going through puberty. Each and every one of you are pretty/handsome before and after. You just needed to find your style.
#46
A Sad Insecure Girl Into A Happy Less Insecure Woman
Final score:
67points
#47
The First Pic Is Me In The Swimsuit, Playing Some Game At Summer Camp, WEARING MY HEADGEAR. Goddamn I Was Devoted To Wearing That Shit 20 Hours A Day. Major Loser. Then, After Some Awkward, Fat, Lesbian, Weird-hair Phases, We Arrive At The Second Picture
Amanda Jayne 7 years ago
2nd picture looks pretty, but the self-loathing in the caption is awful. Lesbian shouldn't be a negative word either. Good grief.
#48
I Cringe At My Before Picture. What A Handful Of Years Can Do
#49
So This Is Before In High School And This Is Me Now
#50
3rd Grade Vs. Senior Year
E Menendez 7 years ago
She was cute as a child. I find it sad that a lot of these seem to portray looking "childlike" is ugly.
#51
I'm Still Really Awkward And Make Idiotic Faces In Most Of My Pictures But At Least I Have Boobs Now
Jace 7 years ago
Well you pretty much admitted to this awkwardness thing being entirely under your control... ;-) As for "I have boobs now", I realize the American ideal is all "curves and big boobs", but it's an arbitrary standard, has no universality (attractiveness is subjective, and there is plenty of variety in tastes), and small breasts are not a bad thing whatsoever.
#52
My Own Transformation - From Fat Bastard To Marathon Runner In Just 4 Years...
Final score:
59points
#53
I Had A Rough Childhood
Ronja Rövardotter 7 years ago
I think she wasn't ugly. I think she is quite cute in her childhood pic. She turned into beautiful young lady. Nice hair :-)
#54
2008/2016
Final score:
57points
#55
I Had To Wear Headgear At Night/braces/other Dental Things Because My Teeth Were So Bad, And I'm Pretty Sure I Had A Moustache At The Time The First Picture Was Taken
#56
13 Yo Vs 28 Yo
Final score:
54points
#57
Before When I Was 12, Nowadays At 22
#58
Just A Few Years Apart
#59
One On The Left Vs. Now
#60
Then And Now
#61
Then And Now
#65
Me About 3 To 23 , My Mom Calls Me The Ugly Duckling That Turned To Swan (not Sure If I'm A Swan Or A Sheep)
Final score:
44points
#67
From 🐷 To 🦄
Final score:
39points
#68
Here's A Timeline Of My Ugly Duckling-ness
#69
So Embarrassed....
#71
About 10 Years Apart
Final score:
34points
#72
13 Years Old And Now, 24 Years Old. I Had Horrible Acne And Chubby Cheeks, Glad To See Them Gone. Also, Thumbs Up For Makeup!!!
Final score:
33points
Jace 7 years ago
Makeup... Meh. The new one is a more dramatic and stylish photo (cool), but you weren't an ugly duckling. Acne notwithstanding, the 13-year old photo is nice. I've seen chubby cheeks. This young photo doesn't showcase any such thing, IMO. So many people have such a harsh feeling about themselves in their old photos, likely because of how they were treated by others. It's really sad.
#73
Start Of 2009 (15) Vs. End Of 2016 (22)!
Final score:
33points
#74
Left: Taken A Few Months Ago, Age 26! Right: When I Was 17...
Final score:
32points
#75
2009 Vs 2015
Final score:
32points
Babs Beach 7 years ago
You look like the before and after that Captain America went through! You need to jump the cue, you're the #1! GEORGEOUS!
#76
(left) Me When I Was A Sassy And Pudgey 10 Year Old And (right) Me Now At 24...less Pudgey...sometimes Still Sassy. Haha.
Final score:
31points
#77
Thankfully I Grew Out Of My Awkward Teen Years!
Final score:
30points
#78
Left:bullied Relentlessly, Single, No Eyelashes, Bad Hair, Aweful Arm Acne, Slightly On The Chubby Side, Flat Chested, Homeschooled. Right: Happy With Life, Independent, And Wearing Some Makeup (amazinhat That'll Do For Ya)
Final score:
29points
#79
I'm Still As Nerdy As I Looked In 4th Grade! Just Grew Into My Look 😉
Final score:
29points
#80
This Is Still An Exercise In Confidence For Me. Proud Of How Far I've Come Already.
Final score:
28points
Denise Carroll 7 years ago
Me too! Posting my pics on this thread was both terrifying and cathartic. We spend so much time obsessing over the past instead of embracing the present.
#81
Such A Charmer
Final score:
27points
#82
Not The Best Quality, But I Grew Up In An Age Before These Newfangled Digital Cameras And Don't Have A Scanner Anymore
#83
Thirty Years Later...
Final score:
26points
#85
86 And 06
Final score:
24points
Misty Dewsnup Dutson 7 years ago
Neither picture is bad! I think the new picture is very handsome! Living the glasses!
#86
Me At 10 Vs 41. High School Was Rough. Hang In There
Final score:
24points
#87
From Early Teens To 21. I'm Glad It Was Just A Phase!
Final score:
23points
#88
7th Grade On The Bottom Left, Sophmore Year Of High School On The Top Left.. And Now!
Final score:
23points
#89
13 And 33
Final score:
21points
#91
I Don't Know How The Hell I Had Friends Back Then.
Final score:
20points
Misty Dewsnup Dutson 7 years ago
Haha! I bet you were super fun to hang out with! Adorable then, beautiful now!
#92
Before And After The Class Clown Grew Up!
Final score:
19points
#93
Literally 2 Years
Final score:
19points
#94
About 4 Years Ago Vs Today, Went From Ugly Duckling To Just A Duckling
Final score:
19points
#95
17 Vs 28! But Still The Same In Heart...
Final score:
19points
#96
Me At 14 And 29
Final score:
19points
#98
Me At Age 9-10 Vs Me Now
Final score:
18points
#100
I Actually Think During Puberty Was My Worst Time
#101
I Was Bullied Up Until Very Recently. Definitely A Sufferer Of Ugly Ducklings Syndrome!
Final score:
17points
#102
Me At 16 And 22.
Final score:
17points
#103
2005 Vs 2016
Final score:
17points
#104
There Is Hope! 18 Vs 23
Final score:
17points
Fonzie Buckler (Submission author) 7 years ago
Woops first post so didn't format it very well sorry guys!
#105
Me At 14 And Again At 20. I Think Its An Acheivment
Final score:
16points
#106
Me In 2010 And Me Now. (this Is What I Call A Transformation, Right? :d)
Final score:
16points
#108
Looking Like I Belonged In Hogwarts To Wishing I Had Have Gone To Hogwarts!
Final score:
16points
#109
My Brother Before 14 And After 18
Final score:
16points
#110
14 Vs. 29. I Still Feel Like The Same Person. Yet I Feel Completely Different At The Same Time.
Final score:
15points
#111
Me, 2 Years Ago, Awkward And Unacceptable For Public Viewing Vs Me 2 Weeks Ago
Final score:
14points
#112
Then Vs Now
Final score:
14points
#113
It's Been A Long Road.
Final score:
14points
#114
When I Was In Middle School With My Blue Eyeshadow Vs. Now With Pink Bleached Hair
Final score:
13points
#115
1998/2016
Final score:
13points
#116
At 8, Little Round Glasses, Very Shy Little Girl And Now Still Shy But Upgraded The Glasses
Final score:
13points
#117
Robert Borkowski (me)
Final score:
11points
#118
Past Vs Present
Final score:
11points
#120
Puberty Well Played. #norwegians
Final score:
11points
#121
3 Years Later, Boys Who Made Fun Of Me At High School, Want To Flirt Whith Me.
Final score:
11points
#122
Me At 7 Years Old Vs Me Now.
Final score:
10points
Milica Georgijević 7 years ago
You were very beautiful as a kid as well. No sign of ugly duckling here!
#124
8 Years Changed Me Quite A Bit. Thankfully
Final score:
10points
#125
Me Age 15 And Age 26
Final score:
9points
#126
First Day Of College (17) Vs Now (24)
Final score:
8points
#127
23 Years Difference...
Final score:
8points
#128
My Husband Before And After He Met His Orthodontist Runner Wife.
Final score:
8points
#129
6th Grade Short-hair, Giant Glasses, Beanpole Woes... Forward To Age 36. Thank God For Time.
Final score:
8points
#130
Me As The "brother" Of The Family At Age 10. Glad I Finally Grew Into My Hair And Teeth 20 Years Later.
Final score:
8points
#131
At My 18 I Was A Proud To Be A Fighter, Today I Feel Like I Can Be A Fighter And A Woman ...
Final score:
8points
#132
Me At 15 With Acne, Braces, And No Confidence Vs Me Now In The Air Force And With A Gf.
Final score:
8points
#133
Pictures On The Right Are From My Sister Xd Luckily I Grew Up To Be Slightly Better Looking. Stil Chubby Like Before By Definatly Not As Awkward.
Final score:
7points
#134
Lets Just Say A Perm Was Not A Good Look.
Final score:
7points
Denise Carroll 7 years ago
Preach girl! I too was the victim of an ill-advised perm. Actually pretty much AOL perms are ill-advised lol. You're a beauty!
#135
Senior Year @ Almost 200lbs, To Now @24 And 140lbs. I Feel Loads Better. Totally Blossomed Late...
Final score:
7points
#136
25 Years Later & I Still Have My 6th Grade Id. It Lives On My Fridge As A Reminder To Laugh
Final score:
7points
#137
The 90's Weren't My Best Time...
Final score:
7points
#138
5 Years Difference(went To Gym, Got Braces, Grow My Hair, [ Btw Still Have Glasses])
![5 Years Difference(went To Gym, Got Braces, Grow My Hair, [ Btw Still Have Glasses])](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/c-0cbab808-de6f-4395-8684-a8588e025c1c-586cc3d68e4d7__700.jpg "5 Years Difference(went To Gym, Got Braces, Grow My Hair, [ Btw Still Have Glasses])")
Final score:
7points
#140
I Think I Have Improved...
Final score:
6points
#141
I Was The Nerdy Band Kid That Spent Her Summers At Church Camp
Final score:
6points
#142
Back In My - It's Not A Phase Mom, It's Who I Am! -days, Tho I Dont Regret The Bullying And Stuff Cause It Made Me Grow Stronger And Love My Self
Final score:
6points
#144
Year 11 And Now 42. It Took Me 30 Years To Feel Like A Woman.
Final score:
6points
#145
90's Butterfly Clips 🤗
Final score:
6points
Sofie Solbakken 7 years ago
I loved those butterfly clips, lol. Your glasses look a lot like the ones I had too.
#146
12 Vs. 27
Final score:
6points
#147
Then (age: 17 Years) Vs. Now (age: 23 Years)
Final score:
6points
#148
Who Allowed Me To Wear That Sweater?
Final score:
5points
#149
Me Young With Bad Hair Cuts And No Style And Me Now.
Final score:
5points
#150
10 Years Old And Now. I Had To Be The Funny One For So Many Years. Too Short, Skinny, Ugly, And Thanks To My (now Dead, Dear God) Grandma With The Worst Haircut For A Little Girl. Kids Are Mean To Each Other Anyway.
Final score:
5points
Denise Carroll 7 years ago
I relate. My mom had no patience for trying to make my hair presentable. Except I got a perm.
#151
Ugly Duckling No More!
Final score:
5points
#152
Age 14, 16, 23, 27 And Now At 29. I Went From An Awkward Duck To Comfortable In My Own Skin.
Final score:
5points
Hope Smith (Submission author) 7 years ago
The best part is that I finally learned how to draw in my eyebrows.....at 24yrs old. I went from geeky nerdy child to geeky nerdy lady with a teaching degree and way more confidence. If I hadn't been teased and asked out as a joke growing up, I may not be the confident kind person I am today. Thank you grade school and high school bullies! You helped shape me into the person I am proud to be.
#153
Skinny, Long Limbed Brace Face. I Didn't Gain Confidence Until After High School.
Final score:
5points
#154
And Then One Of The 33 Million Gods Said, 'let Puberty Hit Her Like A Truck.'
Final score:
5points
#155
I Was Definitely An Ugly Duckling, It Took Me 19 Years To Get Over That Phase
Final score:
5points
#157
From 15 To 25, A Decade Of Awkwardness
Final score:
4points
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
You look happy in both. Your happiness is what is important, not what everyone says about you or what you might have been conditioned to believe. But if it is important to you, you look adorable in both pictures.
#158
High School Vs. Now
Final score:
4points
#159
Discovered My Natural Beauty...and Contacts!
Final score:
4points
#160
5 Yrs Old And Now At 22 Yrs Old
Final score:
4points
#163
A Curious Case Of Benjamin Button? Xdd
Final score:
4points
#164
2013 / 2016
Final score:
4points
#166
Used To Think I Looked S**it Hot, Will Probably Think The Same In A Couple Years
Final score:
4points
#168
Some Day I Noted That I Could Be Pretty...
Final score:
4points
#169
Only 2 Years!
Final score:
3points
#171
We Weren't All Gems In High School.
Final score:
3points
#177
On The Left, I'm 28. On The Right, 44 (was Taken Last Month)
Final score:
3points
#178
Up Until Around 16ish I Was The One On The Left The Left
Final score:
3points
#179
My Beautiful Wife Pam And 13 And A Few Years Ago At 40. Had To Ask Permission To Post The Pic From Decades Ago But Had To Share :)
Final score:
3points
#181
This Picture Haunted Me! My Mom Got Me A Premium Bc I Had Thick, Unruly Hair And Thought It'd Be Easy To Take Care Of. My Self Image Is Better Today But That Curly Haired, Buck Toothed Girl Is Still A Part Of Me.
Final score:
3points
#183
@ 14 On The Left And Then @ 20 On The Right. Ugly Duckling For Sure!
Final score:
3points
#184
12 Vs. 18
Final score:
3points
#185
14 To 30......puberty Hit Me Haaaaarrrd. So Glad I Grew Up.
Final score:
2points
#186
Me In 4th Grade V.s Me Now. I Think I've Improved A Bit
Final score:
2points
#187
I'm Still As Nerdy As I Looked In 4th Grade! Just Grew Into My Look 😉
Final score:
2points
#188
Fifth Grade Was Not Kind. Neither Was Anyone Else Who Didn't Tell Me How Rediculous I Looked.
Final score:
2points
#189
Sun-in Is The Devil. I Thought Granny Fashion Would Catch. It Did Not. Ages 38/13
Final score:
2points
#191
Me The Summer After 8th Grade (2007) Vs Now
Final score:
2points
#196
L: My Frail, Weird 16 Year-old Self/ R: My Still-weird 28 Year-old Self :p
Final score:
2points
#197
13 Years And A Nosepin Later...
Final score:
2points
#198
I Was Always Bullied For Having A Big Nose, Getting Called Little Miss Piggy. Then Growing Up In A Foreign Country, Que Awkward Emo Phase, And Where I Was An Outsider. I Think I Have Be Grown Into My Nose And Now Own That S**t!
Final score:
2points
#199
Needless To Say That I Was A Style Icone Back In 2010, But I Think I Got Better By Time
Final score:
2points
#200
12 Was Rough, 23 Is Better (:
Final score:
2points
#201
Me When I Was 7 Vs Now, When I'm 23
Final score:
2points
#202
26 Years In Between...
Final score:
2points
#203
Thank Goodness For Braces, Contact Lenses And Flat Irons. Ages 15, 25 And 39.
Final score:
2points
#204
I Was A Slightly Awkward Nerdy Little Kid. Still Awkward And Still Nerdy I've Just Learned To Embrace It.
Final score:
2points
#205
From 9 Years Old 14 Soon To Be 15 👧🏼 Just Imagine What Can Happen Once I Make It Through Puberty... Watch Out World 👩🏻🎤 Amazing What Can Happen When You Set Your Mind To It.
Final score:
2points
#206
I Still Don't Think I Look Good But I Feel Like I've Changed A Lot
Final score:
2points
#208
I've Changed Both In My Weight And Style. The One Image Is Me Around 8 Yrs Old The Bottom One Is From College The Middle Is From 2012 And The Large One Is From Today.
Final score:
2points
#209
Age 17 Age 25
Final score:
2points
#210
I Know I'm Still Ugly But I Guess Its A Little Increase (1 1/2 Years)
Final score:
2points
Mickie Ramos 3 years ago
You are NOT UGLY!! Learn confidence in being yourself, it'll bring out the beauty in you. You'll thank me later.
#211
Me In 1987 And Me In 2016 Holding An Artwork. Yes I Am Naturally Blond Now :)
Final score:
2points
#212
It Seems I Got A Little Older...
Final score:
2points
#214
My Senior Year Of High School To My Birthdday Last Month!!!
Final score:
2points
#215
Some People Have A Couple Awkward Yrs. Mine Last 18!! Haha
Final score:
2points
#216
Is That Even The Same Person? One Heck Of A Transformation Tuesday
Final score:
2points
#217
Ohh Childhood...
Final score:
2points
#221
I Grew Into My Nose And Chin :)
Final score:
1point
#222
18 Years Old Vs Now, 27 Years Old.
Final score:
1point
#223
Me At 15 And Me At 31 Definitely Like A Good Bottle Of Whiskey And Got Better With Age
Final score:
1point
#230
Seriously, I Did Have Rough Teen Years. Photos Of Me As 14 Yo And 24 Yo
Final score:
1point
#232
Then: Awkward, Insecure 10 Year Old. To Now: Still Awkward, Not As Insecure 19 Year Old.
Final score:
1point
#239
9-year-old Me And 27-year-old Me... Still Struggling With Adult Acne But Feeling Much Better About Myself
Final score:
1point
#240
25 Years Later & I Still Have My 6th Grade Id - It Lives On My Fridge As A Reminder To Not Take Life So Seriously.
Final score:
0points
#241
My Ugly Duckling Photo From 6th Grade And Me Now (dont Judge To Soon)
Final score:
0points
#242
My Ugly Duckling Photo From 6th Grade And Me Now (dont Judge To Soon)
Final score:
0points
#244
15 Jahrs Ago And Now... In Past I Hate My Redhead, Now I Love It !
Final score:
0points
#245
Its Just A Illusion. My Birthday. Before And After.
Final score:
0points
#246
I Think The Nose Has Gotten Bigger, Yeah? Me When I Was 10 To The Left And At 24 On The Right
Final score:
0points
#249
The Changes Are Too Drastic That The Bullies Don't Recodnize Me Anymore.
Final score:
0points
#250
4th Grade Vs. Last Year. I Would Get Questions If I Was Actually A Boy.
Final score:
0points
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
Your teeth turned out to be awesome, as well as the rest of you......lol.
#253
Age 14 (then) And Age 30 Today (the Bullying Was Non Stop For All Of High School)
Final score:
0points
#256
Thank God For Change!
Final score:
0points
#258
I'm A Lot Older Than Some Of The People In This Article, But Still Feel I Clean Up All Right.
Final score:
0points
#261
2009 To 2017...let's Just Say, High School Was A Hard Time...
Final score:
0points
#262
My Story Is A Little Different Than The Rest. In The First Picture, A "girl" Going Through The Motions. (taken In 08, I Was 19 At The Time) And The Second...a Married Man, Father Of 4, Who Finally Knows What Was Wrong All Those Years Ago.
Final score:
0points
#263
Me At Age 26, Six Years After Being Close To 200 Lbs.
Final score:
0points
#266
2011 To 2015. Kind Of Amazing What Hair, Makeup, And 50 Pounds Will Do For A Person😂
Final score:
0points
#267
From 8th Grade To A Junior In College.. Eyebrows Are Very Important
Final score:
0points
#268
I Changed. But For The Better? I'll Let You Decide
Final score:
0points
#270
From Socially Awkard Skater Chick, To Socially Awkward Normal Cute Human Being
Final score:
0points
#275
At Age 12 And Age 22 ❤️
Final score:
0points
#279
From An Overweighted Girl To An Handsome Transguy :)
Final score:
0points
#281
I Didn't Like The Way I Looked, And With In A Year At The Gym And Eating Healthily And Properly I Noticed A Change, And That's Why I Stick At It To This Day!
Final score:
-1point
#283
Me About 2 Years Ago, Awkward And Unacceptable For Public Viewing Vs Me Now
Final score:
-3points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
The Laugh Fan 7 years ago
People change so much as they grow up. Face shapes develop. Often, when we are young our teeth, ears and noses can seem far too big for our faces but most people grow in to them. Hairstyles inflicted by parents and fashion rarely help. I remember an aunt and uncle laughing at my childhood photos (thanks mum for having them on display) and saying to me about how I'd changed from an ugly duckling. Okay, it's nice to look better than I did but I haven't achieved anything, it's just genetics. People find a wide range of different things attractive anyway so it's all subjective.
Z 7 years ago
None of these people were ugly, just in need of a haircut and some different clothes.
Sara Fina 7 years ago
Exactly. I think most of them must have been within the best-looking 10% of their class.
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Erin Zelnio 7 years ago
These are so unfair. Most of them are just the result of bad haircuts and fashion popular at the time.
Shana 7 years ago
On th before pics, it's of them as kids, still growing and their body changing or just a with "weird" pose, haircut/clothes/glasses and some of them were a bit chubbier etc. Not really ugly ducklings imo.
Shana 7 years ago
(too bad you can't edit comments, didn't notice all the typos before sending :P)
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Master Markus 7 years ago
A lot of this seems partially down to haircuts; NOBODY looks good with a bowlcut / mullet / etc.
Katinka Min 7 years ago
Ok, guys really do look fairly awful for a short timespan, but they all do and it's over soon. But most of the first pictures are perfectly fine, imo. Geeky, a tad chubby, cheap glasses, passed down clothes, freckles - none of this is 'ugly'. It's a bit sad, that these posters are so incredibly hard on their younger selves. And I do wonder how much of that perception came from mean siblings or classmates.
Daria B 7 years ago
I think the reason we find most, if not all, of them cute in both pictures is because we are mature now, with different outlooks on the world, and now we know and understand some things... But I still think these all count because kids THEIR age at the given specific time didn't think this way, and that's what made them feel ugly. Yeah, ugliness is more of a feeling than aesthetics. And for a young person, the opinion of their colleagues somehow matter more, because 1. - they have no use (to put it this way) of us "oldies'" opinion, and 2. - it feels like "of course adults think I'm pretty, all youth is pretty to them, my mom always says I'm cute". So..... All I can say, as a grown a*s adult who had a not too easy puberty (not really bullied, but kinda), is to keep strong and proud because "for underdogs revenge is sweet, revenge is sweet". ♬♪ and btw. you DID look cute then, and look gorgeous now. ^_- Stay beautiful. ♥
Pi... 7 years ago
I don't wanna be all preachy and say "oh beauty is in the eye of the beholder" blah blah.... coz external appearances DO matter. Good grooming shows you see yourself in positive light... but the word "ugly"... well.... it's more about the inside... your actions, your choices, your words.... It can make a beautiful person truly hideous! I'm there right now.... and i need to find myself back into beauty in its truest sense.... :)
Pobin Rice 6 years ago
ALLLLL F*****g shallow dumbass self absorbed WANKERS ALLLLL F*****g shallow dumbass self absorbed WANKERS ALLLLL F*****g shallow dumbass self absorbed WANKERS
Kristina Mi 7 years ago
I also had a mushroom hairstyle and wore 4th hand clothes from my cousins. I was also mega hairy and my parents never cared how bullied i was becaue of it. Wish they taught me what a razor was a bt earlier. Well, Now im hot! Haha
Hannah Kades 3 years ago
I know some people think there ugly. Your not ugly. And they want to kill themselves. But I'm here to tell you that Jesus is the answer not suicide. And it's really important to talk to people who care about you tell them your struggles.
Ola Polowczyk 6 years ago
Seems I am still waiting for my "ugly duckling phase" to end... Not a duckling anymore though...
Nickie LaRue 7 years ago
It took me until well into my 20s to figure out what worked for me and why... You're too hard on yourselves! No one, as far as I know, has ever wished to be 15 again..!
Felicia Luca 7 years ago
Marcel Proust — 'Let us leave pretty (...) to [those] with no imagination.'
Andrea Messamore Engelmeyer 7 years ago
I'm unimpressed with with most of these submissions. Either these people are too hard on their "before" photos or they have an overinflated opinion of their current appearance. I have a feeling that it's a little of the former and a whole lot of the latter.
giddyup 7 years ago
i am sad, that this transformations suggest, that the way you were before was some kind of not right. i look on this "after" pictures and i see also people who seems to lost fun in life, trying to fit. i suppose it´s normal, that you want to be attractive for other people, who doesn´t like positive attention, but still i suppose life can become boring, if you stop being yourself and starting being that person, that you know people will find attractive
Sue Stephenson 7 years ago
Who are we, anyone, to say who/what is ugly and what isn't? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Darleen Shizuyo 7 years ago
Happy for them! As far as me...I went from ugly to uglier and I'm 55 so I dread what I will look like in a few years.
Glynis Lailann 7 years ago
When you are young and regularly get passed over, you tend to just carry on with life and not concentrate on your looks or clothing too much. Then Boom.
Lyone Fein 7 years ago
There is so much fat-shaming in this one. Well, it is part of our society, I guess, but you know standards of beauty are so subjective and temporary, and culturally determined. All of the "before" pictures in here are just FINE looking. And it makes me sad how negative folks are about their younger appearances. Look it is great that folks feel good --or better-- about themselves now. But you know what? Whatever you look like today is also only temporary. Your weight will change. Your beauty will fade. We all get older, tired, go through menopause, or lose that hair, etc. get wrinkles, whatever. What matters is finding happiness. What matters is loving yourself, and liking the person you are. Finding people who will stand by you, and who will love you--and getting rid of those who are poison, no matter who they are. May we all find our joy, and live to be the best people we know how to be.
Happy Ghost 7 years ago
10% actual improvement, 45% uglier than before, 45% still good but very different
Jonathan Eatsalot 7 years ago
mmmm...objectifying and labeling children for clicks. Way to go Bored Panda!!!
admin 7 years ago
We are not labeling anyone. All these people posted these photos themselves under a thread called "Ugly duckling syndrome" and r/uglyduckling/
Load More Replies...
Nyello 7 years ago
Don't make eye contact, don't feed it. Let Alan Aurmont the Troll slink back under its bridge.
Load More Replies... The Laugh Fan 7 years ago
People change so much as they grow up. Face shapes develop. Often, when we are young our teeth, ears and noses can seem far too big for our faces but most people grow in to them. Hairstyles inflicted by parents and fashion rarely help. I remember an aunt and uncle laughing at my childhood photos (thanks mum for having them on display) and saying to me about how I'd changed from an ugly duckling. Okay, it's nice to look better than I did but I haven't achieved anything, it's just genetics. People find a wide range of different things attractive anyway so it's all subjective.
Z 7 years ago
None of these people were ugly, just in need of a haircut and some different clothes.
Sara Fina 7 years ago
Exactly. I think most of them must have been within the best-looking 10% of their class.
Load More Replies... Erin Zelnio 7 years ago
These are so unfair. Most of them are just the result of bad haircuts and fashion popular at the time.
Shana 7 years ago
On th before pics, it's of them as kids, still growing and their body changing or just a with "weird" pose, haircut/clothes/glasses and some of them were a bit chubbier etc. Not really ugly ducklings imo.
Shana 7 years ago
(too bad you can't edit comments, didn't notice all the typos before sending :P)
Load More Replies... Master Markus 7 years ago
A lot of this seems partially down to haircuts; NOBODY looks good with a bowlcut / mullet / etc.
Katinka Min 7 years ago
Ok, guys really do look fairly awful for a short timespan, but they all do and it's over soon. But most of the first pictures are perfectly fine, imo. Geeky, a tad chubby, cheap glasses, passed down clothes, freckles - none of this is 'ugly'. It's a bit sad, that these posters are so incredibly hard on their younger selves. And I do wonder how much of that perception came from mean siblings or classmates.
Daria B 7 years ago
I think the reason we find most, if not all, of them cute in both pictures is because we are mature now, with different outlooks on the world, and now we know and understand some things... But I still think these all count because kids THEIR age at the given specific time didn't think this way, and that's what made them feel ugly. Yeah, ugliness is more of a feeling than aesthetics. And for a young person, the opinion of their colleagues somehow matter more, because 1. - they have no use (to put it this way) of us "oldies'" opinion, and 2. - it feels like "of course adults think I'm pretty, all youth is pretty to them, my mom always says I'm cute". So..... All I can say, as a grown a*s adult who had a not too easy puberty (not really bullied, but kinda), is to keep strong and proud because "for underdogs revenge is sweet, revenge is sweet". ♬♪ and btw. you DID look cute then, and look gorgeous now. ^_- Stay beautiful. ♥
Pi... 7 years ago
I don't wanna be all preachy and say "oh beauty is in the eye of the beholder" blah blah.... coz external appearances DO matter. Good grooming shows you see yourself in positive light... but the word "ugly"... well.... it's more about the inside... your actions, your choices, your words.... It can make a beautiful person truly hideous! I'm there right now.... and i need to find myself back into beauty in its truest sense.... :)
Pobin Rice 6 years ago
ALLLLL F*****g shallow dumbass self absorbed WANKERS ALLLLL F*****g shallow dumbass self absorbed WANKERS ALLLLL F*****g shallow dumbass self absorbed WANKERS
Kristina Mi 7 years ago
I also had a mushroom hairstyle and wore 4th hand clothes from my cousins. I was also mega hairy and my parents never cared how bullied i was becaue of it. Wish they taught me what a razor was a bt earlier. Well, Now im hot! Haha
Hannah Kades 3 years ago
I know some people think there ugly. Your not ugly. And they want to kill themselves. But I'm here to tell you that Jesus is the answer not suicide. And it's really important to talk to people who care about you tell them your struggles.
Ola Polowczyk 6 years ago
Seems I am still waiting for my "ugly duckling phase" to end... Not a duckling anymore though...
Nickie LaRue 7 years ago
It took me until well into my 20s to figure out what worked for me and why... You're too hard on yourselves! No one, as far as I know, has ever wished to be 15 again..!
Felicia Luca 7 years ago
Marcel Proust — 'Let us leave pretty (...) to [those] with no imagination.'
Andrea Messamore Engelmeyer 7 years ago
I'm unimpressed with with most of these submissions. Either these people are too hard on their "before" photos or they have an overinflated opinion of their current appearance. I have a feeling that it's a little of the former and a whole lot of the latter.
giddyup 7 years ago
i am sad, that this transformations suggest, that the way you were before was some kind of not right. i look on this "after" pictures and i see also people who seems to lost fun in life, trying to fit. i suppose it´s normal, that you want to be attractive for other people, who doesn´t like positive attention, but still i suppose life can become boring, if you stop being yourself and starting being that person, that you know people will find attractive
Sue Stephenson 7 years ago
Who are we, anyone, to say who/what is ugly and what isn't? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Darleen Shizuyo 7 years ago
Happy for them! As far as me...I went from ugly to uglier and I'm 55 so I dread what I will look like in a few years.
Glynis Lailann 7 years ago
When you are young and regularly get passed over, you tend to just carry on with life and not concentrate on your looks or clothing too much. Then Boom.
Lyone Fein 7 years ago
There is so much fat-shaming in this one. Well, it is part of our society, I guess, but you know standards of beauty are so subjective and temporary, and culturally determined. All of the "before" pictures in here are just FINE looking. And it makes me sad how negative folks are about their younger appearances. Look it is great that folks feel good --or better-- about themselves now. But you know what? Whatever you look like today is also only temporary. Your weight will change. Your beauty will fade. We all get older, tired, go through menopause, or lose that hair, etc. get wrinkles, whatever. What matters is finding happiness. What matters is loving yourself, and liking the person you are. Finding people who will stand by you, and who will love you--and getting rid of those who are poison, no matter who they are. May we all find our joy, and live to be the best people we know how to be.
Happy Ghost 7 years ago
10% actual improvement, 45% uglier than before, 45% still good but very different
Jonathan Eatsalot 7 years ago
mmmm...objectifying and labeling children for clicks. Way to go Bored Panda!!!
admin 7 years ago
We are not labeling anyone. All these people posted these photos themselves under a thread called "Ugly duckling syndrome" and r/uglyduckling/
Load More Replies... Nyello 7 years ago
Don't make eye contact, don't feed it. Let Alan Aurmont the Troll slink back under its bridge.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
