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Blunder years could be described as a period in someone's life when they thought they were different and edgy but in reality they were choosing terrible clothes and even worse haircuts.

There's even a subreddit dedicated to it, appropriately called Blunder Years: pictures from a regrettable past. It invites people who just found their old photos not to delete them but to make amends with their former self and upload it on the Internet. And many do. Here are some of the cringiest posts the online community has to offer.

When you're done scrolling through them, check out our earlier article about people posting their most embarrassing childhood photos.

#1

2008, Senior Friend Asked Me To Prom When I Was A Freshman. My Parents Didn't Want Me To Go But Also Didn't Want To Forbid Me, So They Didn't Give Me Money For A Dress Thinking That Would Stop Us. We Made Both Of Our Outfits Entirely Out Of Duct Tape For Like $30

2008, Senior Friend Asked Me To Prom When I Was A Freshman. My Parents Didn't Want Me To Go But Also Didn't Want To Forbid Me, So They Didn't Give Me Money For A Dress Thinking That Would Stop Us. We Made Both Of Our Outfits Entirely Out Of Duct Tape For Like $30

shiasurprize Report

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Enuya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! You had better results with just duct tape than I'd ever have even with sewing machine

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You might think these people are crazy for posting such photos on the Internet. However, a certain amount of self-reflection can be healthy, helping a person to become their strongest self.

But only to a certain extent, of course. Amy Morin, the author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, said dwelling on the past can easily distract someone from the present. "The truth is, you never know what life would have had in store for you if you'd made a different choice," she told Inc.

#2

It Was “Opposite Day” At School In 2005, Most People Wore Black And White Or Something.. I Decide To Dress As A Girl.. I Lived In A Small Town In Idaho. It Didn’t Go Over Well

It Was “Opposite Day” At School In 2005, Most People Wore Black And White Or Something.. I Decide To Dress As A Girl.. I Lived In A Small Town In Idaho. It Didn’t Go Over Well

awashbu12 Report

Depending on your circumstances, you may just need to give yourself permission to move forward, and then make a conscious effort to stop every time you beat your head over how lame you used to look in high-school.

"Refusing to dwell on the past isn't about ignoring the things that happened. Instead, it often means embracing and accepting your experiences so you can live in the present," Morin explained. "So recognize the emotional toll that dwelling on something is taking on you, and then give yourself permission to move forward."

#3

I Don't Know If I'm More Embarrassed By How Many Hours It Took Teen Me To Make This, Or That I Actually Tagged My Crush When I Posted It

I Don't Know If I'm More Embarrassed By How Many Hours It Took Teen Me To Make This, Or That I Actually Tagged My Crush When I Posted It

eehttofu Report

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#4

Got Dumped A Week Before Prom, But My Mom Insisted I Go Take The Pictures She Paid For, So I Made A Sock Puppet To Bring As My Date. I Regret Nothing

Got Dumped A Week Before Prom, But My Mom Insisted I Go Take The Pictures She Paid For, So I Made A Sock Puppet To Bring As My Date. I Regret Nothing

Reverend_Deek_Lovin Report

#5

My Mom Dressed Me Like This So I Was Easy To Spot When She Picked Me Up...

My Mom Dressed Me Like This So I Was Easy To Spot When She Picked Me Up...

pluckems Report

#6

My Mom Told Me Not To Blink During My 2nd Grade Class Picture

My Mom Told Me Not To Blink During My 2nd Grade Class Picture

ntaylor7746 Report

#7

My Siblings And I Were Forced Into A ‘Pet Look Alike’ Competition. It Still Haunts Us

My Siblings And I Were Forced Into A ‘Pet Look Alike’ Competition. It Still Haunts Us

Innerbooty Report

#8

My Dad Always Thought This Haircut Looked Incredible On Me. My Mom Thought The Shirt Was Incredible. Looking Back At 2nd Grade Me Is Incredible. I'm A Female

My Dad Always Thought This Haircut Looked Incredible On Me. My Mom Thought The Shirt Was Incredible. Looking Back At 2nd Grade Me Is Incredible. I'm A Female

kikiglitz Report

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#9

In Honor Of My Husband’s 37th Birthday, I Present To You His Senior Prom Photo From 2000

In Honor Of My Husband’s 37th Birthday, I Present To You His Senior Prom Photo From 2000

Loocylooo Report

#10

Tried To Smile, Channeled Jim Carrey Instead. Allllllllrighty Then

Tried To Smile, Channeled Jim Carrey Instead. Allllllllrighty Then

8b**city Report

#11

My Mother Said I Would Regret This Photo... No Regrets Mom! Circa 2002

My Mother Said I Would Regret This Photo... No Regrets Mom! Circa 2002

Made_lion Report

#12

10m, And Looking Like A Middle Age Mom Who’s Deciding To Grace You With A Smile, While Still Judging You Just A Little

10m, And Looking Like A Middle Age Mom Who’s Deciding To Grace You With A Smile, While Still Judging You Just A Little

otusasio451 Report

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Nicole Tomme
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You look like you can take care of yourself and your friends. I like the confidence.

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Pebblesmax
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a delightful lad...so cute...love the description ha ha ha

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Banjo Peppers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I thought “10m” meant “10 months” and was wondering what they were feeding you, lookin like a 10 year old at only 10 months! Oops on me, lol

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Sam T Godfrey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that is a fine look! Like you know something everybody else don't!

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#13

‘How Did You Know I Was Gay?’ Said The Posing Seven Year Old Boy In Make Up, A Perm, And Black Sequinned Jellicle Cats Dance Costume

‘How Did You Know I Was Gay?’ Said The Posing Seven Year Old Boy In Make Up, A Perm, And Black Sequinned Jellicle Cats Dance Costume

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#14

It’s Amazing What Growing A Beard, Growing Up, Changing Your Style And Leaving A Cult Can Do For You! (2011 vs. 2020)

It’s Amazing What Growing A Beard, Growing Up, Changing Your Style And Leaving A Cult Can Do For You! (2011 vs. 2020)

excusetheblood Report

#15

My Boyfriend's 10th Grade Picture Is Pure Rebellion. According To Him, His Mom Cried When She Received The Pictures Back

My Boyfriend's 10th Grade Picture Is Pure Rebellion. According To Him, His Mom Cried When She Received The Pictures Back

imgur.com Report

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ohhhhh the teenage passive-aggressive rebellion is strong in this one. I totally appreciate the thought process behind this. If I was his parent, I would've found this hilarious.

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#16

Had A "Photoshoot" With My Mom And Thought That Being "The Weird Kid" Made Me Cool And Mysterious

Had A "Photoshoot" With My Mom And Thought That Being "The Weird Kid" Made Me Cool And Mysterious

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's one good lookin' guy.... (swap the leather coat for a plain black leather coat, & it'd be classic). Please tell me you took these to a legit modelling agency. Because jacket-choice aside, you could've got a contract.

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#17

Ten Years And One Transition Later: Some Things Never Change

Ten Years And One Transition Later: Some Things Never Change

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no reason to ditch Mario, no matter what's your age or gender.

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#18

My Family Looking Like An Ll Bean Catalog Submission, And Then There's 15 Year Old Me

My Family Looking Like An Ll Bean Catalog Submission, And Then There's 15 Year Old Me

Floridaasf**k Report

#20

My All-Time Favorite Picture Of My Husband. He Was 20 In This Picture. Posting With His Reluctant Permission

My All-Time Favorite Picture Of My Husband. He Was 20 In This Picture. Posting With His Reluctant Permission

geekoutfreakout69420 Report

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Kady Maree Mcgrath
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like business at the front party at the back but in the picture it's party at the top business at the bottom

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#21

Husband? Dead. Emotion? Devastated. Insurance Money? Cashed. Eyebrows? Don’t Need Them

Husband? Dead. Emotion? Devastated. Insurance Money? Cashed. Eyebrows? Don’t Need Them

Dracoco Report

#22

12 Years Ago. Teenage Pregnancy. Our First Family Photo

12 Years Ago. Teenage Pregnancy. Our First Family Photo

enbeay Report

#23

School Photo Looking Like 60-Year Old Librarian With My Cardigan, Turtleneck And Thick Glasses Date And Age Unknown

School Photo Looking Like 60-Year Old Librarian With My Cardigan, Turtleneck And Thick Glasses Date And Age Unknown

Al_E77 Report

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#24

My Mother Found This Photo Of My Church Friend (Ryan Gosling) And I. We Had Some Awful 90s Hairs Cuts

My Mother Found This Photo Of My Church Friend (Ryan Gosling) And I. We Had Some Awful 90s Hairs Cuts

Talisintiel Report

#25

When I Was 14 I Was Dating A Girl From Another High School. I Decided To Surprise Her On Her Birthday By Dressing Up As A Clown And Busting Into Her Classroom Singing “Happy Birthday”. She Was Mortified! When The Dust Settled She Thankfully Realized The Thoughtfulness That Went Into The Gesture

When I Was 14 I Was Dating A Girl From Another High School. I Decided To Surprise Her On Her Birthday By Dressing Up As A Clown And Busting Into Her Classroom Singing “Happy Birthday”. She Was Mortified! When The Dust Settled She Thankfully Realized The Thoughtfulness That Went Into The Gesture

1doublezero Report

#26

8th Grade Me Thought I Was The [Coolest], Went Like This To A Christian Concert Event

8th Grade Me Thought I Was The [Coolest], Went Like This To A Christian Concert Event

mastermoto7321 Report

#27

I Was That Girl

I Was That Girl

Gotholotls Report

#28

In High School I Went Through A Belt Phase. For Some Reason, I Thought The More Belts I Had On, The Cooler I Looked. I Later Discovered... That Was A Lie

In High School I Went Through A Belt Phase. For Some Reason, I Thought The More Belts I Had On, The Cooler I Looked. I Later Discovered... That Was A Lie

JustSherlock Report

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Clavelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you have that many awesome belts, how could you choose just one?

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#29

They Seem To Bring A Smile To Your Face. Hope This Makes Your Day A Little Better. I Present, Me As A Kid

They Seem To Bring A Smile To Your Face. Hope This Makes Your Day A Little Better. I Present, Me As A Kid

zwaymire Report

#30

Me At 17(2010) Living It Up In Vegas

Me At 17(2010) Living It Up In Vegas

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#31

Me, On My 8th Birthday, Getting The DS I Raved About

Me, On My 8th Birthday, Getting The DS I Raved About

reddit.com Report

#32

Growing Up In Detroit When Eminem Came Out Yeaaaaaah...

Growing Up In Detroit When Eminem Came Out Yeaaaaaah...

mike70wu Report

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Tee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm Slim Shady, yes I'm the real Shady All you other Slim Shadys are just imitating So won't the real Slim Shady please stand up Please stand up, please stand up?

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#33

14 Year Old Me Photoshopping Out My Dad For Britney Spears. This Is Just So Toxic

14 Year Old Me Photoshopping Out My Dad For Britney Spears. This Is Just So Toxic

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Enuya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still better photoshop skills than one can see on some so-called 'influencers' profiles.

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#34

Me At Age 15, Channeling My Inner 30something Business Woman

Me At Age 15, Channeling My Inner 30something Business Woman

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JuJu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Well Brenda, of course we can talk again about the second fireplace. I'm sure I have EXACTLY the house you are looking for. Just let me check my list..."

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#35

Dwight Schrute Glasses? Check. Braces? Check. Turtle And Cat As Only Friends? Check. Braided Rat Tail With Beads? Zoom In...

Dwight Schrute Glasses? Check. Braces? Check. Turtle And Cat As Only Friends? Check. Braided Rat Tail With Beads? Zoom In...

Pizzarazzi Report

#36

As Most People Thought My Fiancé Last Photo Was Not A Blunder, I Present To You Her College Library Card - 2003

As Most People Thought My Fiancé Last Photo Was Not A Blunder, I Present To You Her College Library Card - 2003

Jambohh Report

#37

I Was In An Early 2000's Transitional Phase Between Awkward And Total Embarrassment

I Was In An Early 2000's Transitional Phase Between Awkward And Total Embarrassment

PigSlug Report

#38

Well I'm 34 Now. Still Into Model Rockets Though

Well I'm 34 Now. Still Into Model Rockets Though

MiniDriver Report

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Clavelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I very much appreciate this picture! I hope its framed and up on a wall somewhere!

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#39

I’m Glad My Looks Didn’t Peak At Age 13. (Not A Costume. God Help Me, I Really Dressed Like That)

I’m Glad My Looks Didn’t Peak At Age 13. (Not A Costume. God Help Me, I Really Dressed Like That)

vrnkafurgis Report

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Enuya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, half of the problem were glasses. I know from own experience how big difference flattened lenses and a well-chosen frame of glasses may do.

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#40

My Childhood Was Destined To Be A Rough One...

My Childhood Was Destined To Be A Rough One...

ThunderousDong Report

#41

Hawaii Wasn’t Ready For My Ice Cold Sister And I In 2003

Hawaii Wasn’t Ready For My Ice Cold Sister And I In 2003

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#42

Freshman College, ‘94: Control Yourselves, Ladies

Freshman College, ‘94: Control Yourselves, Ladies

Warshok Report

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Tovah Roche
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He looks like he's headed to Silicone Valley to start his own tech company.

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#43

Mom Found This Recently, Me At 18, My Reaction When She Showed Me Was "God Damn What Is That Creature"

Mom Found This Recently, Me At 18, My Reaction When She Showed Me Was "God Damn What Is That Creature"

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#44

2002, Age 14. I Have No Idea What I Was Rebelling Against But I Was Going At It Hard

2002, Age 14. I Have No Idea What I Was Rebelling Against But I Was Going At It Hard

Dishyphus Report

#45

My Outfit During A Snowfall In May 2004

My Outfit During A Snowfall In May 2004

Articado Report

#46

My Junior Year Yearbook Picture

My Junior Year Yearbook Picture

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#47

Sophomore Year Of High School, I Would Show Up Like This And Hang Out Behind The Library With My Little Edgy Kids Group

Sophomore Year Of High School, I Would Show Up Like This And Hang Out Behind The Library With My Little Edgy Kids Group

ChaloPerea98 Report

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glowworm2
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing! I'm surprised you were allowed to wear the "bloody" T-shirt to school though.

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#49

I Was A Cute Little Girl, Except For The Fact That I'm A Guy

I Was A Cute Little Girl, Except For The Fact That I'm A Guy

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ah, the cliche of gender-signalling identifiers. You were cute. end of story. :)

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#50

Every Time My Friend Moves, She Rediscovers This Gem From Middle School

Every Time My Friend Moves, She Rediscovers This Gem From Middle School

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