Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen published The Ugly Duckling in 1843, and a huge reason why the fairy tale is famous to this day is that of how relatable it is. It's a heartwarming story about personal transformation for the better, revolving around inner beauty just as much as it does around its outer counterpart when the duckling turns into a beautiful swan.
Now, no matter how pretty you might've been since the day you were born, we all go through that awkward stage in early puberty. The puberty stage when your body proportions might sadly relate to ones of a manatee. Pair it with a haircut enhancing none of your good features, add braces and some questionable fashion choices, and voila - you've got yourself something to be ashamed of years later. Luckily, when the body transformation is completed, a beautiful swan, just like from the Ugly Duckling, emerges.
To prove that the Longbottoming Syndrome (named after an actor from the Harry Potter series, Matthew Lewis) is an intrinsic part of life, people are sharing their personal before and after pics. Viewing these amazing photos, it's clear that you never know what time has prepared for you. Even though these late bloomers had to wait a little longer than others to grow into their looks fully, the results seem totally worth it. Scroll down to check out their stunning before-and-after images!
#141 I Was The Nerdy Band Kid That Spent Her Summers At Church Camp
6points
#142 Back In My - It's Not A Phase Mom, It's Who I Am! -days, Tho I Dont Regret The Bullying And Stuff Cause It Made Me Grow Stronger And Love My Self
6points
#143 Eighth Grade And Nearly 25, Thank You Puberty ❤
6points
#144 Year 11 And Now 42. It Took Me 30 Years To Feel Like A Woman.
6points
#145 90's Butterfly Clips 🤗
6points
#146 12 Vs. 27
6points
#147 Then (age: 17 Years) Vs. Now (age: 23 Years)
6points
#148 Who Allowed Me To Wear That Sweater?
5points
#149 Me Young With Bad Hair Cuts And No Style And Me Now.
5points
#150 10 Years Old And Now. I Had To Be The Funny One For So Many Years. Too Short, Skinny, Ugly, And Thanks To My (now Dead, Dear God) Grandma With The Worst Haircut For A Little Girl. Kids Are Mean To Each Other Anyway.
5points
#151 Ugly Duckling No More!
5points
#152 Age 14, 16, 23, 27 And Now At 29. I Went From An Awkward Duck To Comfortable In My Own Skin.
5points
#153 Skinny, Long Limbed Brace Face. I Didn't Gain Confidence Until After High School.
5points
#154 And Then One Of The 33 Million Gods Said, 'let Puberty Hit Her Like A Truck.'
5points
#155 I Was Definitely An Ugly Duckling, It Took Me 19 Years To Get Over That Phase
5points
#156 Black Magic, People.
4points
#157 From 15 To 25, A Decade Of Awkwardness
4points
#158 High School Vs. Now
4points
#159 Discovered My Natural Beauty...and Contacts!
4points
#160 5 Yrs Old And Now At 22 Yrs Old
4points