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Although long gone are our careless teenage years, with the oldest millennials turning 40 this year (you gotta be kiddin’ me, right?!), the blunder years still come back to haunt us. Usually they come in the form of school pics stacked somewhere in our parents’ houses.

But the tendency about those pics is clear, they reemerge out of nowhere during the least expected moments, like a family reunion, or during dinner meant to introduce your love interest to your parents. Most importantly, our skin has toughened quite a bit, but the blunder pics still make us blush like it was yesterday.

So today we’re diving into the hilariously brilliant r/BlunderYears community where people share one thing we all have in common: the old pictures of ourselves that prove going through major ups and downs, twists, and loop-de-loops when it comes to our identities is only human! Sit back, relax and get ready to chuckle for this relatable selection below, and be sure to check out our previous posts with pics from blunder years here, here and here.

#1

My Poor Parents... Being Nice To Me Back In 1987 During My Billy Idol Skateboarding Phase

My Poor Parents... Being Nice To Me Back In 1987 During My Billy Idol Skateboarding Phase

MrArms69 Report

#2

I Thought I Was The Coolest Cat There Ever Was. 1994

I Thought I Was The Coolest Cat There Ever Was. 1994

fromsky610 Report

#3

Late 70's. No Idea What I Was Thinking. Made The Suit Myself

Late 70's. No Idea What I Was Thinking. Made The Suit Myself

xxSpeedsterxx Report

We’ve all been teenagers at some point, although the memories of the blunder years are fading away with every grey hair strand we find. That carelessness and craving for independence is something most of us have experienced in many shapes or form, some by protesting against our parents and dressing as goths, others by finding shelter in a geek circle.

#4

My Girlfriend's Childhood Family Picture. She Was Really Excited About Being A Rat In The Nutcracker

My Girlfriend's Childhood Family Picture. She Was Really Excited About Being A Rat In The Nutcracker

RipePetunia Report

#5

I Was Evidently The Reference Model For The Kid From Up! Circa 1985

I Was Evidently The Reference Model For The Kid From Up! Circa 1985

charliethegeek Report

#6

Middle School Was... An Interesting Time

Middle School Was... An Interesting Time

mikehaawk Report

Previously, we spoke with Lenore Skenazy, the president of Let Grow, the nonprofit promoting childhood independence, about blunder years and how unique they really were when you look at them from our current perspective.

According to Lenore, the urge to be independent is something we've all carried since the dawn of time. “Think of what used to happen during the teen years throughout most of human history. Those young people weren’t going to high school. They weren’t making TikTok videos. They weren’t eating candy bars and playing Call of Duty. They were foraging for food, trying not to become some other species’ food, and they were having babies."

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#7

Matronly 40-Year Old Korean Librarian? Nope! Just Me, A 12-Year Old Boy

Matronly 40-Year Old Korean Librarian? Nope! Just Me, A 12-Year Old Boy

PlagueLords Report

#8

Me Back In 2005... Techno Interested Me

Me Back In 2005... Techno Interested Me

HaxRus Report

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#9

Groovy Baby!

Groovy Baby!

drubinsky Report

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sandyd avatar
Sandy D
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes me laugh to know you wore that tie for what I'm assuming was your bar mitzvah!

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Moreover, according to her, teenagers' desire to create a fresh, new, unique persona might also arise from the disconnect "between being ready for adulthood and being grounded because of your C- in algebra." What if the search for identity during the blunder years is really a wish to detach oneself from a culture that keeps treating teenagers as kids?

Hence, “they sometimes adopt a new look, one they probably hope makes them look much older and more sophisticated or sexy—that is, adult. Need a real-world example? See a timeline of Miley Cyrus," Lenore told us.

#10

Mall Rat Days

Mall Rat Days

boinkish Report

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Helen Haley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, maybe outdated, but that is a solidly thought-out look.

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#11

4 Going On 40 With This 90s Glamour Shot

4 Going On 40 With This 90s Glamour Shot

supafly74 Report

#12

I Had Embraced My Nerdy Outcast Status And Went To School Like This, Sadly The Trench Coat Was Soon Banned After '99

I Had Embraced My Nerdy Outcast Status And Went To School Like This, Sadly The Trench Coat Was Soon Banned After '99

WhacksOnAnonOff Report

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Lenore continued about how our desire for independence comes after we become accepted by others: "At the same time, that longing comes from a desire to connect: 'Don’t write me off—get to know me!' As humans, we are acutely attuned to what others think of us—and particularly attuned to any put-downs or humiliation. So we may adopt some styles that we hope will keep the scorn at bay. People are wearing a certain shoe? So will I. Everyone’s growing their hair long? I’ll grow mine, too. We want to be accepted, so we look at what others are doing/wearing/saying and adopt some of these things. But once accepted, we also want to be seen for the real person we are, not just a 'type.'"

#13

Got A Disposable Camera As A Child And Decided To Take A Selfie. I Was Very Pleased With It After Getting It Developed

Got A Disposable Camera As A Child And Decided To Take A Selfie. I Was Very Pleased With It After Getting It Developed

boatbomber Report

#14

1993 Senior Pic, I Wore Those Boots To Hs The Entire Year. Iowa Winter And All

1993 Senior Pic, I Wore Those Boots To Hs The Entire Year. Iowa Winter And All

kleric42 Report

#15

I Was So Proud When I Made The Yearbook. When I Got Home And Showed My Mom She Said I Would Regret That Later In Life

I Was So Proud When I Made The Yearbook. When I Got Home And Showed My Mom She Said I Would Regret That Later In Life

chalfantkr Report

#16

My Husband (Right) And His Brother (Left). Prom 2006

My Husband (Right) And His Brother (Left). Prom 2006

MCclapyourhands1 Report

#17

That Year My School Photos Fell On The Day I Had To Get 2 Teeth Removed

That Year My School Photos Fell On The Day I Had To Get 2 Teeth Removed

ErinCookie Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad you convinced the photographer that no, you weren't in fact having a stroke.

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#18

Welcome To My Weird Childhood

Welcome To My Weird Childhood

curioushypnokitten Report

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Michelle M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like the beginning of a horror movie. 'Little did Betty know that her look alike doll.....'

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#19

I Legit Don’t Even Cringe On This One, 2006, I Want To Learn To Channel That Spirit

I Legit Don’t Even Cringe On This One, 2006, I Want To Learn To Channel That Spirit

lizzlebean Report

#20

I Wanted To Be A Child Actor So Mom Took Me To Sears For Some Dope Headshots

I Wanted To Be A Child Actor So Mom Took Me To Sears For Some Dope Headshots

ryanwosleger Report

#21

My Parents Built Me A Cross So I Could Play Christ In 1998

My Parents Built Me A Cross So I Could Play Christ In 1998

gabrielreasoner Report

#22

Unintentionally Brought Back The Heavy-Hairspray Hairstyles Of The 80’s While Trying To Cope With My Receding Hairline During My Senior Year In High School

Unintentionally Brought Back The Heavy-Hairspray Hairstyles Of The 80’s While Trying To Cope With My Receding Hairline During My Senior Year In High School

Superdickeater Report

#23

We Were Allowed To Bring An Object To Hold For Class Picture Day. Some Kids Used A Football, Tennis Racket, Musical Instrument... I Chose A Hamster. It Wasn’t Even My Hamster

We Were Allowed To Bring An Object To Hold For Class Picture Day. Some Kids Used A Football, Tennis Racket, Musical Instrument... I Chose A Hamster. It Wasn’t Even My Hamster

SmartyPanty Report

#24

10 Year Old Me Idolised Avril Lavigne

10 Year Old Me Idolised Avril Lavigne

m3g4nj Report

#25

My Mom Just Wanted A Nice Picture In Paris

My Mom Just Wanted A Nice Picture In Paris

AmericanDeise Report

#26

Circa 2010. No It Was No Halloween. I Was Going To The Airport. Yes The Iron Man Triangle Lit Up

Circa 2010. No It Was No Halloween. I Was Going To The Airport. Yes The Iron Man Triangle Lit Up

rosahhlee23 Report

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#28

Spent An Hour Doing My Hair Every Day. Circa 2006

Spent An Hour Doing My Hair Every Day. Circa 2006

summmmmar Report

#29

Friend Shared This On Facebook; I'm Sharing All Of Her 90s Glory With Reddit (With Her Permission)

Friend Shared This On Facebook; I'm Sharing All Of Her 90s Glory With Reddit (With Her Permission)

Loverlee Report

#30

I Remember Thinking I Was The Absolute Coolest Chick Walking Around La On Fam Vacation. Circa 2002

I Remember Thinking I Was The Absolute Coolest Chick Walking Around La On Fam Vacation. Circa 2002

sassysauce95 Report

#31

7 Years Old In 1997, Growing Out What Was A Bowl Cut That My Mom Loved, Rocking My Pink Power Ranger Shirt To Make Sure People Knew I Was In Fact A Girl

7 Years Old In 1997, Growing Out What Was A Bowl Cut That My Mom Loved, Rocking My Pink Power Ranger Shirt To Make Sure People Knew I Was In Fact A Girl

uneasyandcheesy Report

#32

I’m Not The Cute Cat Or The Little Chef... I’m The Sandwich!

I’m Not The Cute Cat Or The Little Chef... I’m The Sandwich!

rosie-roo Report

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simerese avatar
Full Name
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing! It reminds me of when my daughter was 4 or 5 and said she wanted to be a cheese sandwich for Halloween. She ultimately decided on being a box of TimBits (donut holes for those not familiar with Tim Hortons). My wife and I spent so much time making her the most incredible TimBits Halloween costume ever!

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nobody can ever question your commitment to the event.

valrico63 avatar
Sam Cook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Were you the middle child? Then you truly were sandwiched between your siblings!

kaching12 avatar
Yort
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lmao the only reason I know the cat costume girl isn’t me is because I had short hair when I was that size.

becki_errington avatar
Bex
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it! One year for Halloween when I was a kid my mom turned me into a tea bag using paper grocery bags and a stapler, lol

redhairedchic avatar
Jenny Lorenz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the chef could have made the sandwich as the cat was trying to get on the table.

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#33

13 Year Old Me In 2011, Right Smackbang In The Middle Of The “I’m Soooo Random :3” Phase

13 Year Old Me In 2011, Right Smackbang In The Middle Of The “I’m Soooo Random :3” Phase

bertance Report

#34

As A Kid I Was Really Obsessed With The Amish

As A Kid I Was Really Obsessed With The Amish

punkprincessEJ Report

#35

Me, 1995, In Venice, Backpacking Across Europe In Search Of My True Identity. At Least I Wasn't Too Obvious About The Whole Situation

Me, 1995, In Venice, Backpacking Across Europe In Search Of My True Identity. At Least I Wasn't Too Obvious About The Whole Situation

crsaxby Report

#36

Circa 3rd Grade, 1980: My Dad Cut My Hair And I Wore A Shirt With My Own Face On It

Circa 3rd Grade, 1980: My Dad Cut My Hair And I Wore A Shirt With My Own Face On It

dsynadinos Report

#37

Me (In The Middle) At 17... Dudes Wanted Nothing To Do With Me Until 21. In Retrospect, This Makes Sense, As My Biggest Fashion Inspiration Was Tank Girl...

Me (In The Middle) At 17... Dudes Wanted Nothing To Do With Me Until 21. In Retrospect, This Makes Sense, As My Biggest Fashion Inspiration Was Tank Girl...

highpreistess666 Report

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#38

I'm Not Sure What's Worse. The Hair Or The Suspenders. It's Probably The Hair

I'm Not Sure What's Worse. The Hair Or The Suspenders. It's Probably The Hair

lbz71 Report

#39

I Got A Lot Of Love For My Pigtails, So Here's Some More! Cheers!

I Got A Lot Of Love For My Pigtails, So Here's Some More! Cheers!

olive007 Report

#40

I Will Raise Your 2nd Grade Picture With This. In High School

I Will Raise Your 2nd Grade Picture With This. In High School

Elzaron Report

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Aria Whitaker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing says "badass" like a flaming tiger background and cheap katana acquired from the mall kiosk....

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#41

My Mom Cut & Styled My Hair For Picture Day. I Never Let Her Touch My Hair Ever Since

My Mom Cut & Styled My Hair For Picture Day. I Never Let Her Touch My Hair Ever Since

sab4519 Report

#42

My Mom Paid Money To Have This Very Professional Photo Taken At An Anime Convention In 2006. The Page Protector It Was Put In Really Helped Preserve The Quality

My Mom Paid Money To Have This Very Professional Photo Taken At An Anime Convention In 2006. The Page Protector It Was Put In Really Helped Preserve The Quality

marynotrhoda Report

#43

Me (Left) And My Friend, Just A Couple Of 13 Year Olds Being Cool Guys, Not Looking At Explosions. Please Do Notice The Horrible Editting I Did Back Then

Me (Left) And My Friend, Just A Couple Of 13 Year Olds Being Cool Guys, Not Looking At Explosions. Please Do Notice The Horrible Editting I Did Back Then

Basic_biatsch Report

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Happiness is Hippo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's such a cool photo! I love it and I don't think it belongs on this list at all

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#44

Me, A Straight Female, Trying To Impress My Crush By Being One Of The Guys. I’m On The Right

Me, A Straight Female, Trying To Impress My Crush By Being One Of The Guys. I’m On The Right

mintleaf64 Report

#45

I See Your Tuba And I Raise You One Saxophone

I See Your Tuba And I Raise You One Saxophone

paxcowq Report

#46

One Thing I Still Believe: Always Dress Up, Whether You're Going Out Or Just Doing Chores!

One Thing I Still Believe: Always Dress Up, Whether You're Going Out Or Just Doing Chores!

totoropengyou Report

#47

Me Showing Off My Vampire Books In My Mr. Bean Shirt

Me Showing Off My Vampire Books In My Mr. Bean Shirt

Babbarette Report

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#48

Me, Around 12 Years Ago. Emo Phase Hit Me Hard

Me, Around 12 Years Ago. Emo Phase Hit Me Hard

snailg0sh Report

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Mallory m. Brewer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They look like that sim from the Sims 4 vampires pack. I think his name was Caleb.

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#49

Year 2 In 2003, That’s My Teacher On The Left. Nothing Says Cool In Primary School Quite Like Having An Identical Haircut To Your 60 Year Old Teacher...

Year 2 In 2003, That’s My Teacher On The Left. Nothing Says Cool In Primary School Quite Like Having An Identical Haircut To Your 60 Year Old Teacher...

meowley- Report

#50

2004. This Still Keeps Me Up At Night...

2004. This Still Keeps Me Up At Night...

devil-wears-converse Report

Note: this post originally had 84 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.