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 Party
Image credits: poundurbutthole
#2 9 Year Old Cousin: Stepped Out Of Vogue. 8 Year Old Me: Stepped Out Of An Episode Of South Park
Image credits: Sincerely_Lee
#3 By The Third Grade I Was Dressed For My Midlife Crisis
Image credits: ArmadilloNo2399
If 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 90s
Image credits: SomeShoeDog
#5 I (Female) Insisted On Dressing Up As Steve Wozniak For 'Historical Figures' Day In Elementary School
Image credits: Bbect
#6 My Freshman Yearbook Photo (2014)
Image credits: thatpilatesprincess
The 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 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 Girl
Image credits: Auntie1926
#8 Grandma Took Me To Get Glamour Shots At The Mall- Mom Said She Almost Had A Heart Attack First Time She Saw The Photos
Image credits: laurelfrac
#9 The Fear Is Real. Age 15, Caught Dancing By Myself In My Room
Image credits: 88kitkat808
What’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 I Was Trying To Smile Like A Ninja Turtle. Doesn't Translate Well When Actual Humans Attempt It
Image credits: Aescleah9873
#11 Yes, I Really Wore This To School…
Image credits: CHEESERICESUPERSTAR
#12 The Chill That Crawled Up My Spine When This Came Up On My Timeline
Image credits: allgoodthings96
According 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 Me - 5 Years Old, Around 1991/92
Image credits: [deleted]
#14 Homecoming, Senior Year 2003. Attending The Old Football Dance To Complain About The Music And Sulk About
Image credits: vinsclortho
#15 Me, Circa ‘05, 6 Years Before Bob’s Burgers Came Out
Image credits: ehoff98
In 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 I Hear This Is The Sub For Those Who Have Studied The Blade
Image credits: TheRedditAppisTrash
#17 How I Went To Senior Prom In 2000
Image credits: Rob_hocker
#18 It Was So Scratchy
Image credits: Jaggedlittlepil
“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 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
#20 My Husband, Circa 1987
Image credits: Fitnessfan_86
#21 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 Daughter
Image credits: Kfrow
#22 Thought I Was Cool With My "Spike Hair" No Wonder People Used To Say It Looked Like A Tsunami
Image credits: jc0010
#23 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 Birthday
Image credits: bokin8
#24 My First Ever School Picture. I'm Told It Made My Mother Cry
Image credits: thrash-unreal
#25 Bring A Prop For School Pictures. Most Kids Brought Sports Equipment Or An Instrument. I Brought...my Ventriloquist Dummy
Image credits: slukbunwalla
#26 My 1994 High School Senior Yearbook Picture
Image credits: starktargaryen75
#27 High School Senior Photo 2007
Image credits: Walpizzle
#28 My Fiancé Saw This Picture My Parents Took Of Me On A Cruise Ship And Laughed Until She Cried
Image credits: SuperTurboMan
#29 Was Feeling Myself After Finding A Loose Tassel From My Friends Couch Pillows
Image credits: GreenMim
#30 I Didn't Even Play Guitar
Image credits: elephantsgraveyard
#31 Old Lady In The 80’s
Image credits: Ok_Explanation5348
#32 That Time I Wanted To Be A Denim Druid
Image credits: spacetrainz
#33 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 Porch
Image credits: tiny__e
#34 My Friends And Family Let Me Leave The House Like This. It Was 1984, And I'm 15
Image credits: deathakissaway
#35 Mom Asked Me To Model For A “Moody” Photo Shoot. Peak 7th Grade Me
Image credits: omnipresent_cat
#36 Dear Diary, Mood: Apathetic
Image credits: NOMADofTIME
#37 1995-1997 My Dear Grandpa Showed These To My Fiance The Night Before Our Holy Matrimony
Image credits: POLARBEARBRIDE
#38 8th Grade, Dared To Wear Thongs And Sock Stuffed Bras To School. We Did
Image credits: ggskater
#39 Me Rockin' TF Out Of A Mullet And Living My Best Life In Hawaii 1994
Image credits: Zakkattack86
#40 My College Rebel Phase Was To Be The Opposite Of My Hippy Dippy Parents
Image credits: Stormageadon
#41 I Think This Hairstyle Was A Thing?
Image credits: muffinlady90
#42 My Wife Framed This Atrocity. 7yrs Old In 1987
Image credits: Pwnspoon
#43 4th Grade 1991, Laser Background, Big Wire Frame Glasses And Ministry Shirt. Doesn't Get Much More Early 90s Than This
Image credits: Gorkymalorki
#44 Mil Killing It With Another Share: Husband Age 14
Image credits: dead_thing13
#45 Went To School As A Girl For Halloween, Circa 2007
Image credits: Garretthairless
#46 I Can Guarantee Protection
Image credits: butchqueentype
#47 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
#48 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
#49 I Got The Jacket From The Lost And Found Box And Spray Painted My Shoes Gold In Welding Class, Myspace Delivered Too Hard Circa 2007
Image credits: Garretthairless
#50 Oh My God
Image credits: Bighawklittlehawk
