Everyone had their fair share of blunder years and whether we like it or not, there are still pieces of evidence hiding deep in the dusty shelves at your parents’ house. No one dares to touch it, and you’re not allowed to reclaim those photos.
But while people change, some change beyond recognition, pushing their genes, spirits and good looks up to the very max. Known as ‘ugly duckling’ transformations, these before and after photos serve as a testament to the beauty of change. And although it takes persistence and hard work, demands sacrifices and invites you into a battle with your inner demons, the final result seems worth it when you see people smile in their eyes.
So no, it’s not quite like growing out of your blunder years, it’s figuring out how to unite your inner and outer worlds and become the person who you really are. Psst! More inspiring posts on ugly ducklings-turned swans are waiting here, here and here.
#1 32 vs. 37. 75 Lbs Lost, Picked Up A Skincare Routine, Brushed Up My Makeup Skills, Cut My Hair, Got Some Bangs, Still Working On Getting Some More Confidence You Can Glow Up At Any Age!
#2 18 – 23 Went Through A Weightloss Journey And Learnt How To Look After And Groom Myself
#3 Me At 13 vs. Me At 27 Do I Belong Here?
Being an ugly duckling, which takes its name from Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, refers to glowing up and developing into an attractive and successful person as opposed to what one has been before in their early days. But many people grew up with the idea of being an “ugly duckling” when they were kids and for some, it still follows them into their adult life.
#4 Depressed, Lost, Demotivated Because Of Chronic Tinnitus And Hearing Loss, But I’ve Decided To Take Things In Hand And Make It Better, Here I Am After 4 Months Of Transformation Journey.. Still Got Miles To Go
#5 Me At 25, College Dropout, Living In My Car vs. Me At 33, About To Finish My Phd!
#6 Maybe Not As Drastic As Others Here, But I Feel Like I’ve Had A Bit Of A Glow Up (2012-Present)
As a result, even if this is a positive and celebrated transformation, many people can suffer lasting emotional effects. For example, ugly duckling syndrome can be a reason why so many of us can’t take compliments and see stares from people of the opposite sex as insults.
Moreover, those who have ever seen themselves as ugly ducklings can struggle to realize the power of their natural beauty.Most importantly, people who glowed up later in their lives are now much more likely to judge a book by what’s inside rather than its cover. Appreciation of inner beauty is a beautiful thing that enriches humans in profound ways.
#7 First Picture 19f, Second One 22f, Third One 23f. Farewell To 4~ Years Of Depression And Excess Weight!
#8 15 vs. 21
#9 13 vs. 26 I Just Don’t Know What To Say
#10 10 To 20 To 30. Thank Goodness I Found Some Better Glasses & Stopped With The Rawr Hand
#11 19 To 23. Therapy And Excersice Certainly Made A Change Mentally And Physically. Still Struggling With Confidence And Selflove But All Good Things Take Time. Slow And Steady
#12 13 To 29 – Puberty Helped Me Out
#13 Dropped 73lbs And Picked Up 65
#14 10,18, 29~ A Lot Has Changed Every Eight Years
#15 16-20 Been Battling With Self Hate And Depression For Years, 2020 Was The Year I Wanted To Look After Myself
#16 When Puberty Hits You Like A Bus…
#17 18-28. It’s Been A Long Road
#18 12 To 20, A Lot Changed Along The Way, I’m Glad To Be Where I’m At Now
#19 13-26 Improved My Style Ever So Slightly
#20 18/19 vs. 21! One Of My Proudest Achievements
#21 (12, 19, 20) I Was Always Self Conscious About How I Looked
#22 13 To 30. Middle School Sucked
#23 18 To 25
#24 17//20 I’m Happier And Healthier Now. Can’t Believe That Was Me Tho
#25 Finally Let The Hair Curl. Did A Lot
#26 12 And 26 – I Was Pretty Cool Back Then Tho
#27 Last Week vs. Today
#28 14 To 22…. I’ll Never Forget How Much I Thought I Rocked That Bow
#29 12 – 23 Years – What A Wild Ride!
#30 Me At 12 vs. 30
#31 12 And 15 vs. 32 Years Old. We All Have Potential, Don’t Give Up!
#32 17 To 19 To 20
#33 My Self-Portrait From 10th Grade Art Class To Me Now At 34. The Self-Portrait Is Actually Spot On
#34 16>19, From Short Asian Nerd To Tall Asian Nerd Except Now They Say I Look Like A Yakuza Npc. Weight Loss, Hairstyle Change, Skincare And Puberty I Guess
#35 18 vs. 24
#36 Lost A Bit Of Weight And Gained A Bit Of Confidence From 17 To 19
#37 [17-21] Those Glasses Did Not Suit Me
#38 Time Really Does Fly [2017 – 2021]
#39 Super Weird, Don’t Know Why My Last Post Was Deleted! It’s Me! Ages 14-16 vs. 22 Years Old. I Realise I Look The Same Really Just Slimmer, More Confident And Less Awkward Poses. Very Late Bloomer
