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Those rebellious teenage years may be gone, but evidence of our toe-curling style disasters is not. After all, nearly everyone has gone through this awkward phase in their lives, and it still finds a way to come back to make us cringe at our younger selves. Whether it’s being super into some lousy boy band or opting for terrible fashion trends and even worse hairdos, we all have photos hidden in family albums we hope will never see daylight.

But as it turns out, they do. In fact, people themselves are sharing their hilarious discoveries on the aptly titled subreddit 'Blunder Years: pictures from a regrettable past'. This online community is all about embracing that period in our lives when we thought we were extremely unique and edgy, yet looked anything but.

So buckle up and get ready for a wild rollercoaster ride full of embarrassing yearbook photos and old MySpace pics. Scroll down to find some of our favorites from the group, upvote the ones that made you laugh, and tell us what you think about them in the comments! And if you think you can handle even more teen madness, check out our earlier compilations right here, here, and here.

#1

In 1989 I Made Myself A Fartbusters Uniform, Marched The Streets Singing “If Something Smells Strange In Your Neighbourhood…”, And Sprayed People With The Bottle Of Cheap Perfume In Attached Shoebox

In 1989 I Made Myself A Fartbusters Uniform, Marched The Streets Singing “If Something Smells Strange In Your Neighbourhood…”, And Sprayed People With The Bottle Of Cheap Perfume In Attached Shoebox

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#3

My Sisters And I Wanted Those Glamour Photos From The 90s, But We Were Too Young So Mum Had Us Do A Homemade One Instead

My Sisters And I Wanted Those Glamour Photos From The 90s, But We Were Too Young So Mum Had Us Do A Homemade One Instead

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To learn more about teenage independence and this strong urge to stand out from the crowd and discover new personas, we reached out to Cameron Caswell, Ph.D., an adolescent psychologist, family success coach, "teen translator", and the host of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam podcast. For over two decades, she has set out on a mission to help parents build strong relationships with their kids through improved communication, connection, and understanding, and has even published a book called Power Phrases for Parents: Teen Edition.

According to Dr. Cam, most teenagers have an extremely strong desire for independence. After all, adolescence is the bridge from childhood to adulthood, so it’s only natural for them to want to spread their wings and seek out their personalities. "It’s hardwired in their brain to become independent. Thank goodness, otherwise they might live in our basements for the rest of their life," she told Bored Panda.

Nearly every mom and dad wish to see their children grow up to be confident, self-reliant adults, though it makes parenting them a lot more difficult, Dr. Cam argued. "It often feels like they push back and fight us at every turn. This may come across as disrespect to parents, but it’s actually their best attempt to have a voice and exert agency over their own lives."

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#4

In 4th Grade I Stuck Erasers All Over My Face, Which Left Red Welts Everywhere. My Mom Had To Send Me To School With A Note Letting Them Know I Didn’t Have Measles And I Was Just An Idiot

In 4th Grade I Stuck Erasers All Over My Face, Which Left Red Welts Everywhere. My Mom Had To Send Me To School With A Note Letting Them Know I Didn’t Have Measles And I Was Just An Idiot

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#5

I Give You One 15 Yo Goth With Her Eyebrows Shaved Off. My Step Dad Nicknamed Me “Sunshine”

I Give You One 15 Yo Goth With Her Eyebrows Shaved Off. My Step Dad Nicknamed Me “Sunshine”

m4RLA5INGER Report

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Katy McMouse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww, don't be so hard on yourself - you were a cute baby goth. Seriously, you looked like some of my friends and I always thought they had amazing looks.

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#6

Been A Weirdo Forever (1996)

Been A Weirdo Forever (1996)

emciclerose Report

For better or worse, many of us never forget our teenage years. The perplexing mood swings, the parental pressure, and the desperate struggles for popularity are just a few things that make us glad those days are long gone. And let’s not forget how we used to protest just about everything we laid our eyes on and were obsessed with who we wanted to become in the future. What we often tend to overlook, however, is that it was also the time for experimentation and self-exploration (although some of us never stopped looking!). We used to test limits and look for alternative lifestyles, which often resulted in us trying out edgy hair colors and styles, clothing, piercing, and much more.

#7

Please Enjoy My Old Myspace Profile Pictures. No Filter

Please Enjoy My Old Myspace Profile Pictures. No Filter

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#8

Setting Trends At About 10 Years Old, Rural England!

Setting Trends At About 10 Years Old, Rural England!

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#9

Going Through A Bunch Of Old Photos From High School, The Expression Of The Girl In The Back Definitely Says A Lot

Going Through A Bunch Of Old Photos From High School, The Expression Of The Girl In The Back Definitely Says A Lot

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The psychologist explained that this urge to adopt new looks and create fresh personalities arises because adolescence is all about self-discovery. "Along with their desire for independence is a yearning to be their own person. Up until now, their identity was strongly influenced by their family. Now they realize that there are far more options available to them," she told us.

"They want to figure for themselves what works for them. They try out different friend groups, fashions, and favorites to see what fits. They question their religion, sexuality, gender identity, and political beliefs," Dr. Cam continued. "The more freedom they have to explore, the more confident they will be in the choices they make."

#10

I Insisted On Wearing A Suit Everywhere I Went Because I Had A Phase When I Was Younger Where I Wanted To Be The President, And For Years My Brother's Would Cry Every Time They Saw Santa

 I Insisted On Wearing A Suit Everywhere I Went Because I Had A Phase When I Was Younger Where I Wanted To Be The President, And For Years My Brother's Would Cry Every Time They Saw Santa

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#11

My Mum Commissioned Someone To Make These Outfits For A Family Wedding. We’re Boys Btw

My Mum Commissioned Someone To Make These Outfits For A Family Wedding. We’re Boys Btw

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

No matter what gender you are, these are... something. It knocks my socks off that your mother actually went out of her way to pay someone to make these.

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#12

In 2004 I Won A Contest To Dj At My Very Small Hometown’s Easy-Listening Radio Station. I Proceeded To Play An Hour Of Evanescence Deep Cuts And Ruined Everyone’s Morning Commute

In 2004 I Won A Contest To Dj At My Very Small Hometown’s Easy-Listening Radio Station. I Proceeded To Play An Hour Of Evanescence Deep Cuts And Ruined Everyone’s Morning Commute

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

I love this. I think every radio station should periodically play radically different music. Bonus points if it crosses generations. It's good for people to be introduced to different things.

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But as you probably noticed from this compilation of pictures, teenagers' wish to carve out their own path to be different than the people around them often shows up in hilarious fashion choices. "Donning the trends of the season is one of the easiest things we can do to 'fit in'. That’s why it’s so important to our teens to wear a specific brand of shoes, style their hair a certain way, and keep up with the fads. It gives them a sense of belonging," Dr. Cam noted and added that there’s no way for us to avoid making these cringe-worthy mistakes. "Even if we could, why would we want to? Think of all the tears of laughter we’d miss out on," she added jokingly.

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#13

That Time In 2011 My Mom Took Me To Niagara Falls And I Spent The Entire Time Planking

That Time In 2011 My Mom Took Me To Niagara Falls And I Spent The Entire Time Planking

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#14

I Swear To The Great Mushroom God I Wore This To Prom Senior Year

I Swear To The Great Mushroom God I Wore This To Prom Senior Year

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#15

Photo Of My Brother And I On Our Grandma’s Favorite Mug. 1998

Photo Of My Brother And I On Our Grandma’s Favorite Mug. 1998

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However, while teenagers feel pulled toward autonomy, they also seek to connect with others and be a part of something bigger than themselves. The adolescent psychologist told us that in addition to wanting to be their unique self, teens also crave a sense of belonging. "Although they may push the boundaries to stand out from the social norms they grew up with, they don’t want to stand alone. Instead, they find a group that accepts their new persona and adapts to blend in with them," she added.

#16

They Early 90's Were Not Kind To My Family

They Early 90's Were Not Kind To My Family

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#17

My Aunt Sent Me A Bunch Of Old Photos Of Me That She Collected Over The Years. There’s Some Real Gems

My Aunt Sent Me A Bunch Of Old Photos Of Me That She Collected Over The Years. There’s Some Real Gems

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Katy McMouse
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kid with orange hair - CEO of punk. Kid with purple hair - CEO's executive assistant. Girl with fairly normal hair - intern still in training.

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Dr. Cam believes that teenagers get a bad rap. "Remember, they are learning to navigate a huge world on their own, figuring out who they are and what matters to them, experiencing love and heartbreak for the first time, and still expected to keep their grades up and do their chores. If you think about it, they’re pretty remarkable," she concluded.

#19

One Of My Best Friends And I In Early 2012. We Were 8, And Had Our Own Band

One Of My Best Friends And I In Early 2012. We Were 8, And Had Our Own Band

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#20

We Called Ourselves The Chicken Fighters And This Was For A Talent Show. We Danced To No Music (Around 1998)

We Called Ourselves The Chicken Fighters And This Was For A Talent Show. We Danced To No Music (Around 1998)

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#21

The Local Newspaper Did Me Dirty

The Local Newspaper Did Me Dirty

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Shelp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

unless they only took a single picture of you I think you might consider sueing them

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#22

Every Photo Of Myself Circa 2006 Looks Something Like This

Every Photo Of Myself Circa 2006 Looks Something Like This

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#23

1996. I Said I'd Only Go To Prom If I Could Wear The 1970s High School Jazz Band Uniform I Stole. Matching Hair And Glossy White Shoes Were A Last Second Add

1996. I Said I'd Only Go To Prom If I Could Wear The 1970s High School Jazz Band Uniform I Stole. Matching Hair And Glossy White Shoes Were A Last Second Add

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#24

My Wonderful Supportive Mom Paid A Professional Photographer For These

My Wonderful Supportive Mom Paid A Professional Photographer For These

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#25

Kings Island, Oh In 1984. While 14-Year Old Me Liked Cutoffs At The Time, Today I Am Enraged My Parents Allowed Me To Leave The House Like This

Kings Island, Oh In 1984. While 14-Year Old Me Liked Cutoffs At The Time, Today I Am Enraged My Parents Allowed Me To Leave The House Like This

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#26

13 Year Old Me In The Emergency A** Area

13 Year Old Me In The Emergency A** Area

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#27

Easily The Best Day Of My Life - Christmas 1997

Easily The Best Day Of My Life - Christmas 1997

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#28

Lonnnnnng Before Cell Phones, We Made Appointments At The Mall To Take These Pics

Lonnnnnng Before Cell Phones, We Made Appointments At The Mall To Take These Pics

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#30

I Was So Proud Of How Cool I Looked With This Background In 1994

I Was So Proud Of How Cool I Looked With This Background In 1994

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Katy McMouse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That actually isn't half as bad as some other backdrops from that unfortunate era of "why in gods name would our parents pay extra for THIS" ?!?

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#32

I Had Eyeliner Wings Way Before Amy Winehouse- Rocking Mcdonald’s Arches For Eyebrows - I Thought I Was A Chola Back In 1998 Lol

I Had Eyeliner Wings Way Before Amy Winehouse- Rocking Mcdonald’s Arches For Eyebrows - I Thought I Was A Chola Back In 1998 Lol

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#34

2005. 15 Years Old. Loved Casualties And Billy Talent. So Punk Dude, So Punk

2005. 15 Years Old. Loved Casualties And Billy Talent. So Punk Dude, So Punk

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#35

I Don't Even Know What This Was Supposed To Be. I Was 15 And Very Into Weed

I Don't Even Know What This Was Supposed To Be. I Was 15 And Very Into Weed

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#36

Jncos And A Pink Panther Top 2000-Ish

Jncos And A Pink Panther Top 2000-Ish

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#38

Met The Beatles, My Favorite Band, At Age 11 In Disney World ~circa 2004

Met The Beatles, My Favorite Band, At Age 11 In Disney World ~circa 2004

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#39

2009. My Senior Photo. It Wasn't Enough Without The Tiara

2009. My Senior Photo. It Wasn't Enough Without The Tiara

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#40

My Husband Made His Sister Take This Photo Of Him. He Was In A Band

My Husband Made His Sister Take This Photo Of Him. He Was In A Band

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Katy McMouse
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what happens when your band realizes your guitar skills are craap but they can't seem to find a suitable replacement.

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Note: this post originally had 118 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.