50 Pics From People’s “Regrettable Past” That They Can’t Help But Cringe At (New Pics)
Once upon a time, we were younger. And boy, did some of us think we were rad, groovy, phat, fly. Maybe even lit. We might have thought we were cooler than ice cold. Frostier than Vanilla Ice. Doper than Snoop Doggy Dogg. Only to get a much-needed reality check, when looking back on our teenage photos many years later. Sock-stuffed bras, third grade early midlife crisis, that hairstyle, those leg warmers, this make-up. Cringe. And cringe again.
If you want to feel a bit better about your biggest teenage faux pas, r/blunderyears might just be the perfect place for you. With 1 million members, sharing their "dusty treasures", you'll soon realize you don't have to carry your shame alone. Bored Panda has picked our personal favorites, for you to have a good (maybe even relatable) laugh at. Don't forget to upvote the ones that made you feel better about your own younger regrets.#1 My 8th Birthday. I Was The Only Kid That Knew How To PartyImage credits: poundurbutthole#2 By The Third Grade I Was Dressed For My Midlife CrisisImage credits: ArmadilloNo2399#3 9 Year Old Cousin: Stepped Out Of Vogue. 8 Year Old Me: Stepped Out Of An Episode Of South ParkImage credits: Sincerely_LeeIf you were obsessed with being “cool” as a teenager, you’re not alone. And if you now realize you weren’t as cool as you thought you were, you also aren’t alone. As these “Blunder Years” pictures thankfully prove. The teenage need to be cool is actually quite normal. And that’s because of a few factors.You might remember your teen years as a time you were exploring your identity. According to the Parenting Teenagers Academy, because many teens are unsure of themselves, they tend to feel insecure. One of the safest ways for them to feel accepted is to get into the “in crowd”. “Being socially accepted is something that most humans (regardless of age) strive for,” reads the site. “And by being cool this is the quickest way to get there.”#4 My Friends & I Rocking Our Zoot Suits During The Swing Craze In The 90sImage credits: SomeShoeDog#5 Grandma Took Me To Get Glamour Shots At The Mall- Mom Said She Almost Had A Heart Attack First Time She Saw The PhotosImage credits: laurelfrac#6 I Was Trying To Smile Like A Ninja Turtle. Doesn't Translate Well When Actual Humans Attempt ItImage credits: Aescleah9873The need to be cool and popular is also a cry for attention. Insecure teenagers might seek validation to feel better about themselves. The same can be said for insecure adults. It’s about ego… The academy teaches parents that the ego is formed during the teenage years.“The ego loves to be cool because it will feel more powerful,” reads the site. “Its sense of self worth is being established and it gains a hold on your teenager, at least until they can learn to strike a balance between their true self and ego self.”#7 The Fear Is Real. Age 15, Caught Dancing By Myself In My RoomImage credits: 88kitkat808#8 I (Female) Insisted On Dressing Up As Steve Wozniak For 'Historical Figures' Day In Elementary SchoolImage credits: Bbect#9 My Freshman Yearbook Photo (2014)Image credits: thatpilatesprincessWhat’s considered cool to one clique, might not be cool to another. For some, rebelling is the ultimate act of coolness. “Many teenagers feel that by associating themselves with particular music, clothes, and culture, they’re rebelling and this makes them cool,” notes the Parenting Teenagers Academy site.#10 My Mom Is Coming Out Of Her Bridesmaid's Dress, My Dad's Eyes Are Closed, My Brother Has His Finger Up His Nose, My Sister Has A Hand In Her Mouth, And I Am Over Being A Flower GirlImage credits: Auntie1926#11 Me - 5 Years Old, Around 1991/92Image credits: [deleted]#12 I Hear This Is The Sub For Those Who Have Studied The BladeImage credits: TheRedditAppisTrashAccording to NPO Child Focus, teenagers rebel for various reasons. They could be searching for their identity, asserting their independence and autonomy, or they could give in to peer pressure. Adolescence is a time of self-discovery. And teens might be questioning “values, beliefs, and authority figures to form their own sense of self,” suggests Child Focus. “This can lead to rebellious behavior as they try to establish their own identities separate from their parents or guardians.”#13 Homecoming, Senior Year 2003. Attending The Old Football Dance To Complain About The Music And Sulk AboutImage credits: vinsclortho#14 Yes, I Really Wore This To School…Image credits: CHEESERICESUPERSTAR#15 Looking Back At This Mother Daughter Photo Shoot At Disney, I Can See My Mom Was Trying So Hard To Bond With Me… Her Angsty, Awkward 13yo DaughterImage credits: KfrowIn 2022, The New York Times asked 18 teenagers what they loved most about being their age. Not too surprisingly, fun, freedom, possibility and independence were among the top coolest things about being a teenager. “I am a 16-year-old teenage girl. I have slumber parties with my friends where we eat snacks and talk about boys and post embarrassing photos,” wrote one respondent, who might already be planning her future “Blunder Years” posts.#16 How I Went To Senior Prom In 2000Image credits: Rob_hocker#17 The Chill That Crawled Up My Spine When This Came Up On My TimelineImage credits: allgoodthings96#18 Me, Circa ‘05, 6 Years Before Bob’s Burgers Came OutImage credits: ehoff98“I go to bed late and wake up tired on Monday mornings. I wear small clothing — I wear obscenely oversized clothes. I put glitter on my face and shout cheers with kids I barely know at sports games and pep rallies,” continued the teen.Another respondent said they think "the best thing about being my age is knowing you can make mistakes." We'll cheers to that. As might anyone else who has a hidden stash of dusty blunder pics, and a head full of regret.#19 Thought I Was Cool With My "Spike Hair" No Wonder People Used To Say It Looked Like A TsunamiImage credits: jc0010#20 It Was So ScratchyImage credits: Jaggedlittlepil#21 I Didn't Even Play GuitarImage credits: elephantsgraveyard#22 My First Ever School Picture. I'm Told It Made My Mother CryImage credits: thrash-unreal#23 My Fiancé Saw This Picture My Parents Took Of Me On A Cruise Ship And Laughed Until She CriedImage credits: SuperTurboMan#24 High School Senior Photo 2007Image credits: Walpizzle#25 Mom Asked Me To Model For A “Moody” Photo Shoot. Peak 7th Grade MeImage credits: omnipresent_cat#26 Old Lady In The 80’sImage credits: Ok_Explanation5348#27 Used To Wear This Bunny Suit Long After It Was Age Appropriate And Theme Appropriate... In This Photo It Wasn't Even Easter, It Was Someone's BirthdayImage credits: bokin8#28 That Time I Wanted To Be A Denim DruidImage credits: spacetrainz#29 Bring A Prop For School Pictures. Most Kids Brought Sports Equipment Or An Instrument. I Brought...my Ventriloquist DummyImage credits: slukbunwalla#30 I Can Guarantee ProtectionImage credits: butchqueentype#31 My Friends And Family Let Me Leave The House Like This. It Was 1984, And I'm 15Image credits: deathakissaway#32 Almost 25 Years Ago... I Used To Wrap My Hair Up With Things. This Is My Last Year Of High School Year Book Photo. 17 Years Old. Phone Cord Head Band. So Stylish! What's A Phone Cord?!Image credits: ClamToes#33 My Husband, Circa 1987Image credits: Fitnessfan_86#34 4th Grade 1991, Laser Background, Big Wire Frame Glasses And Ministry Shirt. Doesn't Get Much More Early 90s Than ThisImage credits: Gorkymalorki#35 I Think This Hairstyle Was A Thing?Image credits: muffinlady90#36 Was Feeling Myself After Finding A Loose Tassel From My Friends Couch Pillows Image credits: GreenMim#37 My 1994 High School Senior Yearbook PictureImage credits: starktargaryen75#38 1995-1997 My Dear Grandpa Showed These To My Fiance The Night Before Our Holy MatrimonyImage credits: POLARBEARBRIDE#39 8th Grade, Dared To Wear Thongs And Sock Stuffed Bras To School. We DidImage credits: ggskater#40 When I Was 13 My Mom And I Had Some Fun After My Deadbeat Dad "Gifted" Me A Trash Bag Of His Girlfriend's Clothes, Left On Our Front PorchImage credits: tiny__e#41 Dear Diary, Mood: ApatheticImage credits: NOMADofTIME#42 My College Rebel Phase Was To Be The Opposite Of My Hippy Dippy ParentsImage credits: Stormageadon#43 My Wife Framed This Atrocity. 7yrs Old In 1987Image credits: Pwnspoon#44 Mil Killing It With Another Share: Husband Age 14Image credits: dead_thing13#45 Me Rockin' TF Out Of A Mullet And Living My Best Life In Hawaii 1994Image credits: Zakkattack86#46 I Looked Ready To Join The Golden Girls By The Time I Was 7 In 2004. Can You Tell I Wasn’t Pleased?Image credits: sarcastrofee#47 I Got The Jacket From The Lost And Found Box And Spray Painted My Shoes Gold In Welding Class, Myspace Delivered Too Hard Circa 2007Image credits: Garretthairless#48 Went To School As A Girl For Halloween, Circa 2007Image credits: Garretthairless#49 15 Years Ago (If you care about the integrity of hair you don’t want to know how I achieved the tie dye looking bangs, and no…. My eyebrows never grew back 3x thicker than before shaving them despite my wishes.)Image credits: Ok-Artichoke-3397#50 Oh My GodImage credits: Bighawklittlehawk
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings