There are moments in our puberty, aka blunder years, that we are not exactly proud of. Like that one school pic in your parents’ photo album that you dread equally much as falling ill ‘cause your health insurance policy may tell you "see u later, alligator."
But hey, we’ve all been there and it’s totally fine and honestly, quite cute. And there’s even some real-life evidence that shows that some people have literally blossomed so much that they're now beautiful swans both inside and out.
So this time, we are looking at some of the most incredible “ugly duckling” transformations that prove there’s some justice after all in the looks department. Shared on the "Ugly Duckling" subreddit, these crazy before and afters will make you think twice about that shy boy in baggy sweater and braces who you sat next to in the 8th grade. And after you’re done scrolling through this post, be sure to check out more jaw-dropping transformations in our previous posts here, here, and here.
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Age 18 To 23, Used To Look Up In Photos To Try To Hide My Substantial Double Chin
23 vs. 31 - Lost The Weight (160lbs) 7 Years Ago. My Hair Moved From The Top Of My Head To My Face And I’m Still Trying To Find My Look, But I Felt Good Today
Mid 20’s To Mid 30’s
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.
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.
19 To 27 - 220lbs Down Due To Gradual And Sustained Change Over A Long Time
15 - 19 I’d Like To Thank Accutane And Losing 90lbs
[16-17] Two Selfies, Before And After Double Jaw Surgery
![[16-17] Two Selfies, Before And After Double Jaw Surgery](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/050-5fe051b64a3f6__700.jpg "[16-17] Two Selfies, Before And After Double Jaw Surgery")
Moreover, those who have ever seen themselves as ugly ducklings can struggle to realize the power of their natural beauty. It may also be a good thing, since it helps to develop an inner strength that later carries us in our lives.
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.
In the end, looks come and go, and if you build your personality solely on your outer traits, you may well struggle to cope with your identity in the event that you lose them.
18 To 28 - Lost The Glasses, Found Some Hair, Kept The Nerdiness And Over-Optimism
2019-2020. Went Through A Bad Year After A Horrible Failed Toxic Relationship (2014-2018) Gained A Bunch Of Weight Then Got It Together Finally
14 vs. 18 M / Used To Get Bullied So Hard I Still Get Insecure
Lost 100lbs And Now I Model Full Time!
22-31 Gained A Pair Of Glasses, Some Weight, And A Few Tats
12-27. Childhood Was A Rough But It Makes For A Good Personality
19 -> 25 Found An Interview I Did At My First Internship About 6 Years Ago
14-26 I’m Becoming More Comfortable With Myself Now, But I Still Have A Lot Of Work Left To Do. Learning To Love Myself Has Been Hard, But I Like The Person I’m Becoming
15 To 27. Was Bullied A Lot
She looked lovely at the age of 15. People who bully someone are just hiding the fact that themselves are missing something and such display of their behavior makes them in fact look ridiculous and weak (which they however do not realize until after few years, sometimes never).
19 To 23
(15-31) Got Mildly Better At Grooming Over The Years
Grades 2,4 & 6 To Age 27 And 28
17 To 22
Always Dreamed Of Owning A Motorbike, Made It Happen 14 Years Later And Had A Glow Up Along The Way [14-28]
![Always Dreamed Of Owning A Motorbike, Made It Happen 14 Years Later And Had A Glow Up Along The Way [14-28]](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/008-5fe04c827893c__700.jpg "Always Dreamed Of Owning A Motorbike, Made It Happen 14 Years Later And Had A Glow Up Along The Way [14-28]")
18-26: I Finally Figured Out What To Do With My Hands!
My Body And Style Have Changed From 12 To 30, But I Still Listen To An Embarrassing Amount Of Brand New
13 To 26. For The First Time In My Life I Feel At Peace With Myself
Feeling the peace inside is always the best thing! No matter what you look like.
2010 (18) vs. 2020 (28)
May, 2019 To Me Just Yesterday. Lost 65lbs This Year Since February
Freshman Year - 6th Year Senior
From Senior Year Of High School, To Senior Year Of College
17 To 26 - I Kept That Bob For 7 Years Unfortunately. Got Lasik, Cleared Up The Acne And Gained Confidence
(17-22) To Be Fair, I Did Have A Great Time Fishing
15yr Old To 26yr Old. I Used To Cut My Hair Short So I Looked Like A Guy And Food Was My Comfort Blanket
Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Individually, those are nice tales of affirmation. Together, they tell the story of our society where harrassment forces people to build a "good looks" shield just to feel the right to exist in peace. It is not heartwarming.
Again with this labelling of "this is ugly" and "this is beautiful". Can we please stop feeding this?
The title of this thread really rubs me the wrong way-- can we please stop with the whole "ugly duckling" turning into a "gorgeous swan" metaphor. The only people that are truly ugly are those who are rotten to the core inside. Being a teenager was hard enough before social media, but now I feel bad for teens who constantly feel pressured to "glow-up" and post their glow-up online.
So many articles focusing on outside improvements, not enough focusing on improving your insides. Can't self acceptance and love be encouraged, without the extreme body makeover edition?
This pic was yesterday on my 18th birthday, I had a major glowup after getting rid of toxic "friends" who tore down my self esteem, to build up their own. I finally found a true friend, who treated me like I was human, and did random kind things. I am so grateful to her. But I started wearing the things I wanted to wear, and my smiles have gotten more genuine. I am much happier, and have more confidence now (that bag is a giant bag of popcorn my friends gave me, I am obsessed with popcorn). The second picture was taken 2 years ago when I was 16, all I can say is if someone makes you feel terrible, don't be afraid to drop them, they don't deserve being friends with you, if all they will do is tear you down. Also, I found a place for me! Theatre!!!!!!!!! I love being in theatre, and will one day be on broadway!!!!!!!!!!!! Acting brings me such joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! edit, not sure what happened but I accidentally deleted the pics
Some are just wholesome progressions. So if we’re focused on being positive analyzing ones looks is just fine. If negative your a jerk and shouldn’t look at people that way. It does get confusing.
This is a ridiculous effort for people to post their "felt cute. Might delete later" pics for everyone to say "oooooooooo! You're so beautiful " to the poster. This is just incredibly shallow and pitiful..
i dont really care about the article but can we stop taking things from reddit?
I especially like the ones that go from "ugly" to bride! All you have to do is change everything about yourself and then someone will marry you. Can we please stop this superficial s**t and focus on something a little more worthwhile? How about celebrating achievements other than aesthetics for a change?!?
This is awful. How I wish people would accept themselves as God made them. Everything is based on physical appearance and how much money you have. I live in USA and trying hard to raise my daughters in a way that appearence and money do not decide your success in life. Success is happiness is what my parents taught me. You can be rich and miserable. I really dislike how the world, the US has become. So fake, so miserable.
Individually, those are nice tales of affirmation. Together, they tell the story of our society where harrassment forces people to build a "good looks" shield just to feel the right to exist in peace. It is not heartwarming.
Again with this labelling of "this is ugly" and "this is beautiful". Can we please stop feeding this?
The title of this thread really rubs me the wrong way-- can we please stop with the whole "ugly duckling" turning into a "gorgeous swan" metaphor. The only people that are truly ugly are those who are rotten to the core inside. Being a teenager was hard enough before social media, but now I feel bad for teens who constantly feel pressured to "glow-up" and post their glow-up online.
So many articles focusing on outside improvements, not enough focusing on improving your insides. Can't self acceptance and love be encouraged, without the extreme body makeover edition?
This pic was yesterday on my 18th birthday, I had a major glowup after getting rid of toxic "friends" who tore down my self esteem, to build up their own. I finally found a true friend, who treated me like I was human, and did random kind things. I am so grateful to her. But I started wearing the things I wanted to wear, and my smiles have gotten more genuine. I am much happier, and have more confidence now (that bag is a giant bag of popcorn my friends gave me, I am obsessed with popcorn). The second picture was taken 2 years ago when I was 16, all I can say is if someone makes you feel terrible, don't be afraid to drop them, they don't deserve being friends with you, if all they will do is tear you down. Also, I found a place for me! Theatre!!!!!!!!! I love being in theatre, and will one day be on broadway!!!!!!!!!!!! Acting brings me such joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! edit, not sure what happened but I accidentally deleted the pics
Some are just wholesome progressions. So if we’re focused on being positive analyzing ones looks is just fine. If negative your a jerk and shouldn’t look at people that way. It does get confusing.
This is a ridiculous effort for people to post their "felt cute. Might delete later" pics for everyone to say "oooooooooo! You're so beautiful " to the poster. This is just incredibly shallow and pitiful..
i dont really care about the article but can we stop taking things from reddit?
I especially like the ones that go from "ugly" to bride! All you have to do is change everything about yourself and then someone will marry you. Can we please stop this superficial s**t and focus on something a little more worthwhile? How about celebrating achievements other than aesthetics for a change?!?
This is awful. How I wish people would accept themselves as God made them. Everything is based on physical appearance and how much money you have. I live in USA and trying hard to raise my daughters in a way that appearence and money do not decide your success in life. Success is happiness is what my parents taught me. You can be rich and miserable. I really dislike how the world, the US has become. So fake, so miserable.
