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30 Wholesome Posts By “Ugly Ducklings” About The Incredible Transformations They Undertook (New Pics)
We live in a world where looks are often seen as a twisted currency. With so much fakery fueled by unrealistic standards on social media, it’s becoming hard to see real beauty. And unlike heavily staged and edited allure, natural appeal is always changing, transforming, enriching itself with experiences, ups and downs. In this sense, it’s more about the journey of feeling good in your skin than the actual result.
And what could better illustrate that than photos from real people who fought hard (or did nothing!) to love themselves fully and are proud about it. Thanks to the subreddit “Ugly Duckling,” which has people sharing how they turned into beautiful swans, we now have a bunch of people to cheer for.
After you’re done, be sure to check out more incredibly wholesome transformations in our previous posts here, here, and here. Just remember that glowing up differs for everyone, and that we are all beautiful in our own perfectly imperfect ways.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Today I Weighed Myself And I've Lost A Total Of 221 Pounds. Sitting At 179. I Don't Have Any Friends So No One To Share It With So I'm Sharing It Here Lol. Have A Wonderful Night
RELATED:
#2
17 To 27 - How Did I Do?
#3
A Slightly Bigger Change Then Your Average Glow Up For Sure, But I'm Still Happy Where I Am Now
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 even though it indeed shows how empowering blossoming can be, the message of being “an ugly duckling” also has some inherent flaws. Because it’s based on the idea that beauty is “malleable,” it focuses on the improvement of looks that can further escalate your self-worth and self-image. The idea of transforming one’s beauty has infiltrated our society with glossy magazine covers, advertising, and social media.
#4
15>18 - I'd Like To Thank My Mother, My Father And Whoever My Mother Had An Affair With 19 Years Ago Cuz I Did Not Get That Jawline From My Dad
#5
22 vs. 27 Appearance May Have Change But Personality Has Always Stayed The Same
Susan Green 4 years ago (edited)
Having a good personality is the most important thing overall. You do look great though.
#6
13 To 26 I Still Do My Own Hair Cuts But I Think They’re A Little Better Now
Melissa Burkley, a psychology professor and book author, writes on Psychology Today: “This message that less attractive girls can become beautiful is also commonly seen in movies (She’s All That and Never Been Kissed) and celebrity magazine interviews with the likes of Eva Longoria (Allure, 2006), Beyoncé (Glamour, 2009), and Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Harper’s Bazaar UK, 2011).”
#7
10 To 20! My Nickname Used To Be Called ‘Uglie’
Skaiya 4 years ago
The person who posts this said she has never had plastic surgery but uses makeup to contour. She also states she's always been female but she used to be a tomboy and she's lost a lot of weight since then. She thinks it's a compliment that people think she's had plastic surgery because that means her hard work has paid off.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
I love this one. She’s so timid looking in the first shot and so unashamed of her sexy confidence in the second. You can really see how her mentality got a glow up too.
haha laser go brrr 4 years ago
Part of the point is that they're transgender, I reckon
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Samantha PandaNotBored 4 years ago
Lots of surgery Guelph , should have stayed yourself . Not let the uglies beat you down
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
She is herself. You’re an uglie beating her down.
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GaeFrog 4 years ago
People's faces change. Especially over 10 years AND through puberty
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Ozacoter 4 years ago
Yeah. This shouldnt be in the post. Its about wroth not surgery
Load More Replies... #8
13-24. Did I Age Backwards?
#9
14-24. When Puberty Hits You Like A Train
According to Melissa, “The problem here is that in modern society, beauty is an overly idealized and largely unattainable goal for most women. With enough effort and persistence, nearly anyone can earn good grades in school. But no amount of effort or persistence can turn the typical woman into the photoshopped, unrealistically perfect beauty images they see every day in advertisements, movies, and magazines.”
#10
12 vs. 24
#11
I Struggled With Bipolar Disorder II For The Longest Time. The Meds Made Me Gain So Much Weight But As Of February Last Year, I’ve Been Medication-Free, With The Blessings Of My Doctor
#12
13 To 25 - Life Is Weird Man
Melissa and her colleagues conducted several studies to see how the idea that beauty is malleable affects people’s physical and mental well-being: “in one study, we had people read a story that either highlighted (1) how beauty is malleable and changes significantly over the lifespan, (2) how beauty is fixed and doesn’t change much over the lifespan, or (3) a neutral story that had nothing to do with beauty.”
#13
16 To 22 - My Boyfriend Filled Out A Little
#14
15 —> 30 Weight Loss, Better Eyebrows… Same Smirk Tho
#15
Hi!! Me, 14 -> 21
“We found that women who read the 'beauty is malleable' story later reported more anxiety about their appearance, were more likely to base their sense of self-worth on their appearance, and were more interested in getting plastic surgery than women who read the other two stories.” It turned out that the more people thought they can change the way they look, the more obsessed they became over their appearance up to a point that’s generally considered unhealthy.
#16
Our Styles Changed A Little
#17
Age 15 vs. Age 22. Thank Goodness For Puberty
#18
[19 vs. 25] 85kgs Difference In Weight Between The Two Pictures. Who Knew I Had Some Decent Facial Features Underneath The Fat I Used To Carry. I'm Glad I Worked On Myself And My Physical Appearance
![[19 vs. 25] 85kgs Difference In Weight Between The Two Pictures. Who Knew I Had Some Decent Facial Features Underneath The Fat I Used To Carry. I'm Glad I Worked On Myself And My Physical Appearance](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/people-uglyduckling-pics-56-60757cbcc03e9__700.jpg "[19 vs. 25] 85kgs Difference In Weight Between The Two Pictures. Who Knew I Had Some Decent Facial Features Underneath The Fat I Used To Carry. I'm Glad I Worked On Myself And My Physical Appearance")
#19
12 To 19 - I Do Not Miss The Bowl Cut
#20
Still Working On Myself, But Time And Hygiene Can Do Wonders! I Was Wearing Makeup In The First Pic, And Not The Second. [15/2012 - 24/2021]
![Still Working On Myself, But Time And Hygiene Can Do Wonders! I Was Wearing Makeup In The First Pic, And Not The Second. [15/2012 - 24/2021]](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/people-uglyduckling-pics-31-6065d24d88eb2__700.jpg "Still Working On Myself, But Time And Hygiene Can Do Wonders! I Was Wearing Makeup In The First Pic, And Not The Second. [15/2012 - 24/2021]")
ThatOneCrazyFanGirl 4 years ago
i have the exact same sweater on right....btw looking good girl!
#21
Being The Youngest As A Teenager (17) I Always Felt Like I Lived In My Older Siblings Shadows, I’m Proud Of The Hard Working Man I’ve Grown To Become Today. (25)
#22
19-22 Less Plates More Weights
#24
12 > 18 I Was Bullied At School For My Looks, Cried Every Day And Begged World To Give Me Another Face. I Was Kinda Cute Tho
#25
19-22, People Really Underestimate How Much The Gym Can Do For Your Face
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
GOSH he is handsome as heck. Nice forearms too. I bet he gets a lot of attention.
#26
19 vs. 30
#27
16 vs. 20 Is This A Glow Up?
#28
19 To 22, People Will Make You Feel Unworthy But You Have So Much Potential. I Promise
#29
13 vs. 22
#30
16 To 20
crazy_cat_notAlady 4 years ago
whoa! u have great tenacity and dedication, and it shows. it must have taken hundreds of hours of working out. u must have a strong mind and willpower to stay on plan for 4 years! it's not easy at all.
#31
12-22: Deleted Instagram And Facetune At 20. Stopped Hiding My Flaws Behind Unrealistic Snapchat Filters. Most Importantly, Stopped Adding Quotes To My Pics Jk Stopped Comparing Myself To Others. Proud Of My Growth
#32
12-23, Thank God For Puberty
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
Awwwww I just love her hair in the first photo. She looks like a sweet kid. She grew up to be lovely.
#33
Ten Years Later. 14>24
Tracy Baparam 4 years ago
You look great, but I think you'd look better if you cut your hair, just my opinion.
#34
15 To 19. Same Shirt, Same Bed, Same Dude Haha. I’m Happy That My Nose Sorted Itself Out Somehow After My Brother Broke It
#36
17 - 22 / Grew Into My Forehead And Started Taking Proper Care Of Myself
#37
13 vs. 21. Am I Doing This Right??
#38
About An Eight Year Difference Here And Just Had My Braces Taken Out
ThatOneCrazyFanGirl 4 years ago
Looking Great!! Why do those glasses on left look photoshopped though?
#39
17 To 26 - From "Anorexic Nerd With Cringey Hair" To "Healthy Chad" (Jk Im Not A Chad)
#40
16 - 25 Am I Doing This Right?
TheLazyPoki 4 years ago (edited)
@JamieFookin'Lannister: No offense, but you're the weirdo here. Being rude to someone and calling out their looks that you don't like just to make you feel better/good about yourself.
#41
13 To 23! Lost The Weird Frames And Bangs, Gained Some Style And Confidence To Be Fully Myself
#42
16 To 23... A Beard And Puberty Makes A World Of Difference
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
How could this gorgeous person be dead last? He’s got such a clear and strong glow up!
#43
14-22 Im Working On It
#44
Left-20yo Right-22yo
#45
16-19, Lost Around 90 Lbs And Started Being Grateful For Life
#46
Age 13 / Age 20 And I Started Doing Makeup 2 Months Ago Lol
#47
[18 To 20] Realized I Wanted More For Myself, Took Up Running, Started Journaling, And Have Been Working On My Mental Health Ever Since Starting College
![[18 To 20] Realized I Wanted More For Myself, Took Up Running, Started Journaling, And Have Been Working On My Mental Health Ever Since Starting College](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/people-uglyduckling-pics-20-60755fe7ef2e5__700.jpg "[18 To 20] Realized I Wanted More For Myself, Took Up Running, Started Journaling, And Have Been Working On My Mental Health Ever Since Starting College")
#48
18 To 21, Same Orange Colored T-Shirt, Different Person :) Lost A Few Pounds, Started Taking Care Of My Hair And Cleared Most Of The Acne Scars
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SirPatTheCat 4 years ago
Can we stop with the whole "ugly duckling" thing?? Nobody is ugly first of all, and secondly it promotes unrealistic expectations for (conventional) beauty in literal children smh. Glad to see everyone here has gained confidence as they grew up, but I feel like it'll just do everyone good to get rid of the idea of ugly.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
It’s not nice to call them ugly ducklings but let’s remember that this is how other people made them feel in the first place. These people, many of them were bullied for how they looked by other literal children. Now that they’ve found themselves and gained confidence, they’re probably proud to look back and be able to relate to the ugly duckling story, where they turn into beautiful swans. Remember, the duckling in the Ugly Duckling story wasn’t actually ugly. He didn’t have his feathers yet because he was just a kid. The other kids matured faster and he got made fun of. It’s not the duckling ever being ugly. That’s why they relate to the story. Most people do, really. Let’s just help them celebrate instead of giving them a hard time about the language they use.
Load More Replies... Ozacoter 4 years ago
Some are good, teenagers growing into good looking adults or transformations due to weight lost or haircuts. But a lot are simply "now I use makeup and look generic"
Ileana Sky Aviles 4 years ago
Hello beautiful people! Eh...not sure where my glow up moment went but...eh...I'm capable of making some good chicken wings at least!!
Kaori Panda 4 years ago
Look to everyone complaining about ''there's no ugly ducklings'' and whatever, please stop. We get it. And a lot of you are adults, but lots of teens do use this site, including myself. These sort of posts are really nice to look at to see other people growing out of their awkward phase and becoming very good looking adults. It's also nice to know that many has gone through the awkward phase just like we are right now, and made it out ok. Besides, some posts are about transitions or getting over bad habits or eating disorders. It's all about the process of changing, and using healthy ways to improve your health such as fitness and such. It gives the message to some that this awkward phase isn't forever, and gives hope.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
For those of you with no social skills (pretty much the entirety of the pandas): “Wow! Congratulations! You look fuçking amazing! I’m so happy that you found your stride / got healthy / learned to do your hair and makeup in a way that compliments you better! You didn’t deserve for people to make fun of you but I’m so happy you didn’t let it stop you from improving yourself!” This is what a socially functioning person would say. Some of you need to open up to the idea that you could use a glow-up when it comes to learning normal social cues.
ScarlettofHydraIsland 4 years ago
Uh, never hit my glow up, but I made brownies today. *is handing out virtual ones*
Duchess Raven Waves 4 years ago
We are all kidding ourselves to say ugly doesnt exist. Ugly people parade around as smokeshows on a daily because of their shitty personalities. Ps. I cant imagine how dismal ones life has to be before they get their kicks from dissing people on bored panda. I cant wait to tell the 9gaggers about y'all lmao.
Ben Smith 4 years ago
There are some really sickening, hateful responses in this post. How dare you people judge someone's transformation or their very desire to change and improve themselves? Look in a mirror and ask yourself what you need to change. Congrats to all the people who changed, you're braver and infinitely stronger than these commenters.
Norma Hardie 4 years ago
We can't even trust these. Photoshop. I hope but can't be sure this is not the case
Ivana 4 years ago
All I know is that as soon as a man grows out facial hair, I find them about 73.8% more attractive. Men with long hair and beards just do it for me. Just like the song, give me a head of hair, long beautiful hair. (My hair is terrible and hates me, think I am just attracted to what I don't got). Most of the before pics are just people in that awkward puberty stage, we all have to go through it.
Angela Turrall 4 years ago (edited)
So where are the ugly ducklings exactly? I’m going to agree I’m over this ugly duckling thing. No one is ugly. No one. If we could stop with this ridiculousness then just maybe the “before” versions wouldn’t have felt so bad about themselves in the first place, but this ugly duckling label just perpetuates the cycle, creating a new bunch of “ugly ducklings” who feel bad about themselves. Break the cycle.
Ben Smith 4 years ago
Yikes, do you wake up each day and go, how can i prove my wokeness today??
Load More Replies...
BananaJo 4 years ago
Loved this post, but I want to say to people to stop saying their ugly or weird or anything else. If these people are proud of themselves, how they grew as people then let them be. If you really think that they are "Ugly" just keep it to yourself. (I'm taking to people like Punished Edward)
Daphne Williams 4 years ago
All of these are literally just "me as a teenager" vs. "me as an adult." All teenagers are awkward looking, none of these are remotely surprising.
Iapetos 4 years ago
All the before pictures are just fine, all the after pictures are kinda okay too, this is just a very boring post.
Ben Smith 4 years ago
Yeah... they're obviously not though. It's up to the person in the picture to decide if they want to change. NOT YOU.
Load More Replies... SirPatTheCat 4 years ago
Can we stop with the whole "ugly duckling" thing?? Nobody is ugly first of all, and secondly it promotes unrealistic expectations for (conventional) beauty in literal children smh. Glad to see everyone here has gained confidence as they grew up, but I feel like it'll just do everyone good to get rid of the idea of ugly.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
It’s not nice to call them ugly ducklings but let’s remember that this is how other people made them feel in the first place. These people, many of them were bullied for how they looked by other literal children. Now that they’ve found themselves and gained confidence, they’re probably proud to look back and be able to relate to the ugly duckling story, where they turn into beautiful swans. Remember, the duckling in the Ugly Duckling story wasn’t actually ugly. He didn’t have his feathers yet because he was just a kid. The other kids matured faster and he got made fun of. It’s not the duckling ever being ugly. That’s why they relate to the story. Most people do, really. Let’s just help them celebrate instead of giving them a hard time about the language they use.
Load More Replies... Ozacoter 4 years ago
Some are good, teenagers growing into good looking adults or transformations due to weight lost or haircuts. But a lot are simply "now I use makeup and look generic"
Ileana Sky Aviles 4 years ago
Hello beautiful people! Eh...not sure where my glow up moment went but...eh...I'm capable of making some good chicken wings at least!!
Kaori Panda 4 years ago
Look to everyone complaining about ''there's no ugly ducklings'' and whatever, please stop. We get it. And a lot of you are adults, but lots of teens do use this site, including myself. These sort of posts are really nice to look at to see other people growing out of their awkward phase and becoming very good looking adults. It's also nice to know that many has gone through the awkward phase just like we are right now, and made it out ok. Besides, some posts are about transitions or getting over bad habits or eating disorders. It's all about the process of changing, and using healthy ways to improve your health such as fitness and such. It gives the message to some that this awkward phase isn't forever, and gives hope.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
For those of you with no social skills (pretty much the entirety of the pandas): “Wow! Congratulations! You look fuçking amazing! I’m so happy that you found your stride / got healthy / learned to do your hair and makeup in a way that compliments you better! You didn’t deserve for people to make fun of you but I’m so happy you didn’t let it stop you from improving yourself!” This is what a socially functioning person would say. Some of you need to open up to the idea that you could use a glow-up when it comes to learning normal social cues.
ScarlettofHydraIsland 4 years ago
Uh, never hit my glow up, but I made brownies today. *is handing out virtual ones*
Duchess Raven Waves 4 years ago
We are all kidding ourselves to say ugly doesnt exist. Ugly people parade around as smokeshows on a daily because of their shitty personalities. Ps. I cant imagine how dismal ones life has to be before they get their kicks from dissing people on bored panda. I cant wait to tell the 9gaggers about y'all lmao.
Ben Smith 4 years ago
There are some really sickening, hateful responses in this post. How dare you people judge someone's transformation or their very desire to change and improve themselves? Look in a mirror and ask yourself what you need to change. Congrats to all the people who changed, you're braver and infinitely stronger than these commenters.
Norma Hardie 4 years ago
We can't even trust these. Photoshop. I hope but can't be sure this is not the case
Ivana 4 years ago
All I know is that as soon as a man grows out facial hair, I find them about 73.8% more attractive. Men with long hair and beards just do it for me. Just like the song, give me a head of hair, long beautiful hair. (My hair is terrible and hates me, think I am just attracted to what I don't got). Most of the before pics are just people in that awkward puberty stage, we all have to go through it.
Angela Turrall 4 years ago (edited)
So where are the ugly ducklings exactly? I’m going to agree I’m over this ugly duckling thing. No one is ugly. No one. If we could stop with this ridiculousness then just maybe the “before” versions wouldn’t have felt so bad about themselves in the first place, but this ugly duckling label just perpetuates the cycle, creating a new bunch of “ugly ducklings” who feel bad about themselves. Break the cycle.
Ben Smith 4 years ago
Yikes, do you wake up each day and go, how can i prove my wokeness today??
Load More Replies... BananaJo 4 years ago
Loved this post, but I want to say to people to stop saying their ugly or weird or anything else. If these people are proud of themselves, how they grew as people then let them be. If you really think that they are "Ugly" just keep it to yourself. (I'm taking to people like Punished Edward)
Daphne Williams 4 years ago
All of these are literally just "me as a teenager" vs. "me as an adult." All teenagers are awkward looking, none of these are remotely surprising.
Iapetos 4 years ago
All the before pictures are just fine, all the after pictures are kinda okay too, this is just a very boring post.
Ben Smith 4 years ago
Yeah... they're obviously not though. It's up to the person in the picture to decide if they want to change. NOT YOU.
Load More Replies...
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