Ready or not, the 20s are coming up, and not the ones you learned about in world history. The 10s (teens?) are moving into the pages of the past, so over the next month, and probably for years to come, we’re going to see everyone from pop culture columnists to historians trying to sum up the theme of the decade. Mari, a 26-year-old book critic, inspired Twitter users to get started reminiscing when she posted a picture of herself at the beginning of the decade vs. now. The thread now has thousands of replies in which people look back on how this decade has changed them.
The largest age group on Twitter is 25-34. A demographic that began the ‘10s as teens or young adults has undoubtedly seen a lot of adult milestones since then, like degrees, career beginnings, and relationships. Next in line is the 18-24 demographic, who have quite literally grown up this decade. It’s no wonder looking at old pictures of a person who hadn’t even experienced most of their formative years yet can bring up strong feelings (you also might notice that the older Twitter users taking part in the challenge are a little more chill about it.)
Here are some posts we liked—scroll down and have a look. Then share your thoughts, what you think of this trend, and how things have changed for you this decade in the comments below!
Twitter users look back on their 10-year-old photos
Image credits: MusingsOfAGirl
This post may include affiliate links.
But there’s no need to roast your former self, especially if you were a literal child in 2009. Learning to dress yourself isn’t a “glow up”, that’s just growing up. And nobody likes their fashion choices from 10 years ago. Don’t be so hard on yourself!
Most importantly, don’t let this challenge get you down if you’re not comfortable showing pictures of yourself from 10 years ago, or if you feel like you haven’t achieved much this decade compared to all the people flaunting their lucrative jobs and happy marriages.
2020 isn’t a test—there’s not anything more profound about it than any other year. If all you did was stay alive this decade, that’s awesome. I bet you took some cool photos and listened to a lot of great music. Won’t it be fun to discover even more next year?
I think you can often tell when somebody is trans even before they're out if the closet. There's a girl at my work who when identifying as a bloke (pre-trans), didn't have one scrap of obvious femininity (wore really male clothes and interests, has a deep and manly voice etc) but for some reason I wasn't at all surprised when she announced it and started to change. There was always something feminine about her even though it wasn't at all obvious. Does that make any sense?
That does make sense. There is someone that I know like that.
Load More Replies...Good lord the amount of transphobia here is so sad. Congratulations to faith naff for transitioning and being herself. The only disease here is hate
When dealing with transphobia in older people the most common things that (I see) confused are sex and gender. Sex is what your born with. Gender is who your really are. A couple examples are... If a mans sex is male and he identifys as male then he would be cis gender. If a woman is born male and knows deep down she's female (like faith) then she can get surgery, change her pronouns to she/her and take hormones. Vice versa for a trans man. Then there's also a thing were a person is born as "intersex" which basically means that they are not biologically male or female. This person can choose how they want to dress, and how they want to be referred to. Another thing is the third gender or gender queer/non-binary or all other genders. This can mean multiple things. (Note: I know alot about this stuff but I do not know all the genders because there's only 69 recorded genders.) Anyway, what I mean by "this can mean multiple things" is that if you're non-binary then this means that you identify with no gender, or gender less. Gender queer means that you identify with all genders. That you "feel" like everything. Then there's demi genders. From my understanding there is demi girl and demi boy. A demi girl is somebody that doesn't exactly identify completely with female but doesn't completely identity as a third gender. Again, vice versa for a demi boy. The last thing I'm going to cover is gender-fluid. Gender fluid means that your gender changes on a regular basis. It could change from day to day or you could start the day feeling one gender and end it feeling another gender. This is not just specific for male to female fluidness. This also includes all other genders. Another thing people always get confused is gender and sexuality. I just told you about gender and sexuality is something totally different. But that's all I'm going to go over because I'm tired and it's currently 11:15 at night. Thank you for reading all the way through if you did. (・∀・)
Yes. The only thing is genderqueer is an umbrella term for all genders that are not male or female. Pangender is identifying as all genders.
Load More Replies...I don't understand why people are bothered or feel like they've the right to say horrible stuff about human beings who're just living their life? We, no matter what opinion it is we run with, should at all times respect and support others when they transition or change in order to be happier or try to find themselves. I believe it's badass and takes a lot of courage, I truly admire and respect them for what they are. Anyone out there wanting to be themselves, we all love you and will always support you.
My friend went from girl to boy and the only bad part about it is that we could no longer gossip in the bathroom.
You should do whatever makes you happy, live for yourself!!! Congratulations and live a long and HAPPY life!
I also used to be a man trapped in a womans body then I was born, im all good now :D
Congratulations! It must be wonderful to finally be comfortable in your own skin!
What if you weren’t a transphobic bigot? What then?
Load More Replies...Shut your stupid mouth, you hypocrite! Jesus was VERY specific on not judging, not being an a*****e and not hating people. No one is interested in your BS.
Load More Replies...From catapillar to butterfly!,but that does not mean you were not cute as a child.
I don't think anyone but they themselves can see these "30years". I only see about 5years and a haircut?
Good for you. Finding the thing you want to do is always the best path to take. =D
Decades challenge: me traveling to Karlowy Vary in 2009 at 17 vs me traveling to London at 27
Note: this post originally had 77 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Completely off topic, but BP needs to do a better job at weeding out trolls, users with multiple pseudonyms and those flippen sex posts- it's becoming very irksome weeding through the trite and irrelevant comments.
Ana J, not one word of that post said anything about equating any kind of phobia with having a different opinion. And it's not "cancel culture" when someone complains about feeling threatened or intimidated on what used to be a much more welcoming site. You want to tell trans people to go kill themselves as I've seen on this thread? Not you, just anyone, so we're clear. Take it to Twitter or Facebook where it belongs and leave us alone! No, I'm not trans, but I'm a long-time fan and poster here and the nasty comments and threats have got to stop.
Load More Replies...It’s always so interesting to see how much people grow into themselves as they mature. You know what I mean—-the kids who were awkward at high school graduation are usually the ones who have totally blossomed (confidence, appearance, attitude) by the ten year reunion. When you’re an adolescent and a teenager, you’re trying on different looks and personalities to see which one is the most you. For some, this extends into their twenties. Usually though, by the time we’re in the latter half of our twenties, we’ve figured ourselves out, settled on our personalities and looks, and become more comfortable in our own skins. And it shows.
It's crazy to think that most of the photos these people have are on their mobile phones, tablets and computers. My generation (90's) probably still have photo albums that they can look back through - and probably have photos we all need to print off and update out photo albums with.
I'm confused, what's the difference between looking at photos on your phone or laptop versus photos on your photo album?
Load More Replies...Haha same. Kindergarten/First Grade was pretty fun though. I’m also fortunate enough to be in a pretty fun high school
Load More Replies...Did anybody else here think about digging out photos back from when they were a kid/teenager - only do realize that the time frame would be too long for this? I was looking at these photos thinking "huh, yeah, I remember when I was growing out that fringe, wow I was so awkward and insecure as a young teenager, ha, I sure changed over the last decade, I should do that comparison myself - wait. WAIT. I was already finished with school a decade ago!"
2009 me: a small kindergartener beginning to hide behind fake smiles, hiding the fact she was being bullied and losing her temper almost every day 2019 me: a semi-happy teen really into the arts and finally getting help about her issues, as well as coming to terms with being a lesbian in a christian household. my goodness, things have changed.
I'm starting to think that I'm really a weird one..i don't think I've been in or taken a real picture of myself in over 15 years
Completely off topic, but BP needs to do a better job at weeding out trolls, users with multiple pseudonyms and those flippen sex posts- it's becoming very irksome weeding through the trite and irrelevant comments.
Ana J, not one word of that post said anything about equating any kind of phobia with having a different opinion. And it's not "cancel culture" when someone complains about feeling threatened or intimidated on what used to be a much more welcoming site. You want to tell trans people to go kill themselves as I've seen on this thread? Not you, just anyone, so we're clear. Take it to Twitter or Facebook where it belongs and leave us alone! No, I'm not trans, but I'm a long-time fan and poster here and the nasty comments and threats have got to stop.
Load More Replies...It’s always so interesting to see how much people grow into themselves as they mature. You know what I mean—-the kids who were awkward at high school graduation are usually the ones who have totally blossomed (confidence, appearance, attitude) by the ten year reunion. When you’re an adolescent and a teenager, you’re trying on different looks and personalities to see which one is the most you. For some, this extends into their twenties. Usually though, by the time we’re in the latter half of our twenties, we’ve figured ourselves out, settled on our personalities and looks, and become more comfortable in our own skins. And it shows.
It's crazy to think that most of the photos these people have are on their mobile phones, tablets and computers. My generation (90's) probably still have photo albums that they can look back through - and probably have photos we all need to print off and update out photo albums with.
I'm confused, what's the difference between looking at photos on your phone or laptop versus photos on your photo album?
Load More Replies...Haha same. Kindergarten/First Grade was pretty fun though. I’m also fortunate enough to be in a pretty fun high school
Load More Replies...Did anybody else here think about digging out photos back from when they were a kid/teenager - only do realize that the time frame would be too long for this? I was looking at these photos thinking "huh, yeah, I remember when I was growing out that fringe, wow I was so awkward and insecure as a young teenager, ha, I sure changed over the last decade, I should do that comparison myself - wait. WAIT. I was already finished with school a decade ago!"
2009 me: a small kindergartener beginning to hide behind fake smiles, hiding the fact she was being bullied and losing her temper almost every day 2019 me: a semi-happy teen really into the arts and finally getting help about her issues, as well as coming to terms with being a lesbian in a christian household. my goodness, things have changed.
I'm starting to think that I'm really a weird one..i don't think I've been in or taken a real picture of myself in over 15 years