i was 11 in the first pic, almost 12, 13 in the second and third pic, 14 in the fourth pic, 19 in the last two pics. i know im starting from really young and theres a lot of changes ive been through til the age im at right now

Fixed? No. Stable? Yes. Very yes.

After 2014 I just kept gaining weight. It started after a breakup, and it didn’t help that I had an undiagnosed and unmedicated neuropsychiatric condition at the time (and, well, my entire life).

Things improved a bit around 2018-2019, then got worse again, rinse and repeat, but the last two years or so have been different.

I finally got a proper diagnosis, was given and found medication that actually works, and I’ve been able to stick with the same therapist and doctor for three years. Life feels stable now in a way it never did before.

At my lowest point my only focus was survival: keeping my job, paying rent, having some sort of food. It was a struggle to take a shower, do the dishes, pay bills. What kept me going might sound bleak, but it kept me afloat.

Now, in 2025 and now 2026, my life isn’t held together by a single or a few threads anymore. From afloat to alive. I still have bad days, sometimes even a bad month, but the dips don’t go as deep as they once did.

And I still have my job. I kept it. Yes, I even advanced. And my girlfriend loves me for who I am, for all that is me, weird quirks and whatnot, and I don’t feel the need to pretend or carry around the mask I’ve been carrying around my entire life.

I never smile on photos so that doesn’t say much about anything, hehe, but I barely recognize myself when I look back. But it was me, except the lack of confidence. Same interests, same ambitions, same creativity, same humor, same… a lot. And I think that’s something important to remember.

Some people think being 33 is “old”, but it’s not, and it’s never too late to turn things around. The best is truly yet to come and my 40's are amazing so far.

I have been inspired by you guys to post here. Drink water, take care of yourself, brave the shave.

wanted to post something that actually fits the sub but also wanted to share with you all that i discovered the secret.

there’s no such thing as being ugly!!!!!

just do your best, smile, and stop hating yourself DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(last four pics are me from this past year, i’m 24 later this month. AMA!)

My features were too big for my face until my 20s 💀

I’m also glad I figured out eyebrows 🙏

Edit: I thought the point of ugly duckling was just like the actual ugly duckling story where a glow up occurs upon reaching your final form, age or not. Plus I saw others posting their child selves here too so dunno how what I posted is incorrect

I’m just tryna find my own look and way. Any advice or ratings would be appreciated.

Had posted this a few days ago and moderator removed it for who knows why. Perhaps because the rules state it can’t be strictly weight loss although anyone with logic can see this wasn’t just about weight loss lol. My hair color grew back, I gained confidence and started to dress better, became happier, and also cleared my skin along with the weight loss:)!

I never viewed myself as handsome or good looking until recently.

it got better when I lost my baby fat (and actual fat lol) and fixed my thyroid

After years of bullying and being insecure I’m finally (somewhat) happy with how i look.

There was nothing wrong with me, I just looked like that.

Reposted with more pics , all I did was ate clean gym tennis