Growing up is hard work, especially if you are a teen.
Being a teenager means processing an overflow of conflicting emotions. Teens go through an “experimental phase” where they try out different things to curate the kind of person they want to become.
Some teens’ transformations are more pronounced than others. They project their innermost feelings through their appearance (which can get pretty outlandish). However, in the end, many outgrow this phase.
Here are 73 people who were once boxed in an image but have transformed into something unexpected:
1. From long-haired man to fireman
Who would have thought that a guy who only cared about his long hair would end up being a firefighter eight years later? Definitely not himself.
Most likely, all of us did some very stupid things earlier in life. It is the way we upgrade ourselves and make a better person out of our past that matters. This guy found a way to learn code and work on a job he enjoys.
3. Doing things you thought you’d never do
This woman was 15 when she told herself she won’t ever get married and have kids. 10 years later, she became a convenience store manager, a wife, and a mom to a 4-year-old.
4. From a Britney hater to a Britney fan
This woman used to hate Britney Spears and made fun of anyone who loved to listen to the pop star’s song. Now that she’s grown more mature, she definitely admits to loving Britney Spears’ songs!
From a purple-haired goth to an emo to finally, a marketing consultant. Who would have thought, right? This one is definitely an interesting transformation.
Sometimes, meeting the love of your life happens when you are in a dark phase of your existence. And when you find your true love, you grow together in a positive way, just like how this couple changed for the better, together.
From studying to become a designer, this man has finally become one, and here’s a plus: he’s a father-to-be when his “after” photo was taken. Having your own family can help in changing a man’s style for the better.
8. From deathly to heroic
During his teens, this guy used to be a heavily emo person. Could you even tell that these two pictures are showing the very same guy?
9. From happy-go-lucky to big time tax consultant
If you think all tax consultants are into numbers and serious schooling even when they were still young, then you are sorely mistaken. Some tax consultants like this guy knew how to be rebellious and happy-go-lucky during their younger years, too!
10. The goth within lives on
Years may have passed and a person’s style may have generally changed, but the goth within still lives on for some people, only more subdued. This woman may have ditched her stockings, eyeliner, and huge hair, but her green-colored mane still shows that she is not done with standing out in a crowd.
11. Now a toddler’s mom and web developer
Teens can resort to anything that will make them stand out and one of them could be body piercings. This lady had her share of facial piercings during her adolescent years but now that she’s grown up, she ditched her piercings, focused on web development and raising her children.
Emo teens are often sulky and without a smile on their young faces. This guy used to be one sad emo dude, until he grew up and had his own family.
13. 9th grade emo to teaching 9th-grade kids
This woman knows just how much kids in the 9th grade are willing to go to try things out and be the “cool” kid. After experiencing the phase herself, she finally ended up being a 9th-grade teacher and guiding them so they won’t do the bad things she used to do just because she thought they were “cool”.
Experimenting with different hairstyles in his younger years has become a great training for this make-up artist and hairstylist. Now he knows the right way to do his and other people’s hair, and he earns money from it, too!
From a guy who seems to be angry at the world, this man learned to become responsible, not just for himself but for the family that he started. He is now a family man, and his wide smile just shows how happy he is!
16. Tamed hair and bartending
From being an employee of Hot Topic, this guy decided to move to Chicago and is now earning as a bartender. After losing the wild hair, he absolutely looked more mature.
17. Standing out without the green
With green hair and green clothes, this woman definitely is a stand-out among the crowd. But, that was during her teen years. After a few years and learning code, this lady now lives as a tattooed model and a web developer. Still standing out, but without the green!
18. What 11 years and a Master’s degree will do to you
After 11 years and earning a Master’s degree in Geography, this guy has certainly came far. Now, he works as an analyst for the local government and does more with his time.
From an emo and rebellious teen to a full-fledged cop? Who would have thought, right? Well, some people grow up and get better.
20. From blonde emo to sleek-haired tailor
From a carefully made coiff and bangs that covers half his face, this guy transformed and went for sleek and shiny. Now, he’s every inch the tailor he has become.
21. From vampire wannabe to designer wannabe
Standing out can be done in a lot of ways, and teens who are in their rebellious phase are quite creative. This gal used to have purple hair and fake fangs. Now, she’s pursuing a degree in design!
22. When you learn that too much eyeliner is not necessarily pretty
Emo girls are often seen with too much eyeliner. But, when they eventually grow up, they learn that being pretty is not defined by how much eyeliner you put on.
23. The pink hair lives on
This girl may have grown out of her emo years, but her love for outstanding hair color is still alive inside her. At least, her soft pink hair is better than her Fuschia bangs from years ago.
From wearing side bangs and hair that covers his face, this man learned that growing a beard is what he needed to look more mature. He’s a carpenter now, with a red beard and a manly aura.
25. When you grow up real good
From looking filthy and untamed, this lady finally learned to grow up and clean up. She definitely cleaned up good, don’t you agree?
26. From dark persona to double degree holder
Emo fashion is all about bringing that dark, sullen persona wherever you go. Luckily, for this smart woman, being emo was just a phase that she outgrew. She’s a double degree holder now and definitely a superwoman.
27. From fashion crisis to stylish dentist
Some kids go for emo, some kids go for goth. Some kids, well, they just go with whatever they like and don’t really care about how they look at all. This lady used to be one of them. Luckily, she has learned to glam up and be the stylish dentist that she is now.
28. From wild-haired rebel to motivational speaker
You can never really judge a person based on their teen rebel years. Just like this guy who looked wild with his big hair, but ended up being a motivational speaker about goals in life!
29. From primadonna to award-winning baker
Teen girls tend to be really mean and acting like they are prima donnas. This lady used to be one of those girls, but she grew up and learned to live a sweet life by becoming an award-winning baker!
30. From emo babe to associate degree holder
This lady used to have a big emo hairstyle. After properly growing up, she finally realized that sleek and shiny is her thing, as she pursues an associate degree in Mortuary Science.
Having three children really helps in making a mature and responsible Mom out of an emo girl. This woman used to be an emo, now she’s just enjoying her life as a mom to three lovely children!
32. From only caring for herself to caring for others
This woman was once emo who is focused only on herself and her wants in life. Now that she is pursuing a degree in Nursing, she finally learned to reach out to others and be the caring nurse that she’s dreaming of.
33. A happy full-time mom
This pouty girl with spiky hair, too much eyeliner and nude lipstick have grown to become a really responsible woman. She’s a mother now and cares for her family full-time.
34. When you find your true calling
After years of keeping huge bangs and an emo aura, this lady eventually grew up and found out her true calling. Her deep love for animals has encouraged her to become a veterinarian and is now in her second year in veterinary school.
35. From fashion rebel to fashion enthusiast
She was comfortable in her simple, rebellious style. But, that was until she became and adult and found that fashion is something that she totally loves.
36. From loner to events planner
Who would have thought that a loner such as this emo guy will grow up to be an events planner? He has broken out of his shell and is making a remarkable moment out of every event in the golf course where he lives.
37. From goth girl to full-time mother
This woman used to be a Goth girl, complete with dark eyeliner, black outfit, and full bangs. Now, she’s a full-time mother and she’s loving every minute of it.
38. When you finally let go of the bangs
This girl is now a Biomechanics student and is determined to finish her education. Who would have thought that she used to have full bangs and lots of eyeliner?
39. Now works at an NYC TV show
From being a wild teen, this lady has grown to be a young professional who works at an NYC TV station. She looks even younger now, compared to when she was actually a teenager!
Some boys spend their teenage years hiding behind their bangs and guitars. This boy was one of them, but then he aged and became a military man who holds a rifle and is prepared to protect his fellow men.
41. Now a language school teacher
Pixie hair and fiery-colored bangs? This girl surely had those. But, after growing up and finishing her education, this girl is now a lady who teaches at a language school.
42. Special Education degree holder
Joining a sorority was this woman’s personal act of rebellion in her younger years. Now, she’s much more mature and even holds a degree in Special Education!
43. When you finally learn that it’s not just about you
When you’re young, there is a high chance that you only focus on yourself and not care much about what surrounds you. You think you know everything, but then you grow up and realize that you actually know nothing about life. This lady had that realization and because she is now a Mom and is on her way to getting a Paramedics license, we can all assume she’s more mature and responsible not only fr herself but also for the way she impacts other people’s lives around her.
44. From rebel girl to office girl
From being a rebellious young woman, this lady learned to be responsible and earned a living for herself. Working at an administrative office, she surely grew up to be a beautiful woman who’s always ready to take charge.
45. Now an architecture student
What used to be a spiky-haired teen has grown to become a really beautiful Architecture student. She may look cute and edgy as an emo, but being simple definitely suits her better.
46. What three years can do
From a tomboyish emo to a gorgeous lady. This is how much three years can do when you finally grow up.
47. Losing the eyeliner and traveling the world
From an eyelined rebel girl to a jet setter, this lady surely went beyond her comfort zone and more. She now works at a tourist agency and is enjoying the beauty of the world as she travels.
48. Death metal fanatic to graphic illustrator
This guy grew up and became a graphic illustrator. But, his inner death metal fan is still alive and kicking.
49. From outstanding blue hair to outstanding mother
This woman loves to stand out. She even colored her hair blue to really be identifiable within a crowd. After a few years and a lot of growing up, she finally lost her blue hair but she’s still outstanding, but now as a mother.
Some girls went for a gothic look to overcome their rebel phase. This lady was one of them. But, she eventually grew up knew that your look does not matter much, as long as you are confident in your own skin.
51. When you finally decide to cut the hair
A guy’s rebellious phase can be in the form of growing his hair really long. Eventually, long-haired guys who realize they aren’t young anymore decide to cut the hair and be clean-cut. grown man they really are.
52. Pursuing a degree from being a rockstar wannabe
Singing is one of this lady’s passions and she once dreamed of becoming a rockstar. Now that she’s grown older, she is not as keen to be a rockstar as she used to but she still sings from time to time.
53. From rocking it out to protecting lives
This guy was once a band member before he made a choice and went to the marines. He is now a private security officer.
54. From trying to be cool to being just you
When you’re young, the tendency to try being a cool kid is definitely high. Some go for emo, some go for gothic, some go for nerdy while some could not care less about how they look. Eventually, everyone grows up and realize one simple fact: you can be cool without changing anything about yourself and just becoming yourself.
55. When you find friends that make a better person out of you
They say your circle of friends defines who you are. For this woman, this saying proves to be true. She found a new and better version of herself after being with really good friends around her.
56. From rebel to determined student
Being a rebel can only last for so long. A person eventually comes of age and learns that for your dreams to materialize, you should work hard and act on your plans. This woman used to be a rebel with heavily lined eyes. Now, she is a student and giving her best shot to achieve her dreams.
57. 10 years later and no regrets
Everything that happens in our lives comes from all the choices we make. This lady definitely has no regrets even if she went through a rebellious phase. This is her 10 years after growing up from her rebel days.
58. 5 years and 2 kids later
Five years of facing life’s challenges together and two kids later, this couple finally realized that being rebellious is just a phase. They are now parents and their happy faces show just they love every moment of it, both the good and the bad.
Currently studying to be a registered dental assistant, this wman has finally moved on from her rebel days. She definitely believes that change is good.
Young people seem to be angry all the time. For what particular reason, we can not know for sure. This lady used to be a young girl full of angst, now she has learned to calm down and be herself. And she definitely looks better!
61. Now a barber and chocolatier
From dark hair and side-swept bangs, this lady finally grew up and became a barber and chocolatier. What a transformation!
62. After 12 years, 2 children, and 9 years of marriage
For this couple, being together through good times and bad times is not an easy way to go. But still, they stuck to each other and grew up to be the responsible parents they are now.
63. Embracing your blonde locks
Coloring one’s hair is another form of rebellion. After years of moving on from those days, a person eventually learns to embrace their true selves. Just like this lovely lady with her beautiful blonde locks.
64. From emo bangs to luscious locks
Having bangs that cover your face is definitely a signature emo look. After some years and becoming more mature, this lady finally learns that she is fine with showing her face to the world and leaving lusciously curly her hair down.
Six years is definitely a long time. It is long enough to make an emo teen rebel grow up and become the proper adult that she is now.
66. From depression to proudly pursuing education
Depression is not a joke. Some teens battle it on a daily basis and they need to be supported in order for them to feel that they are loved and cared for. Fortunately, this woman came out of depression and found a new light in life by pursuing her education.
67. Finally gave up with the blue contacts
This girl wanted to be different and so, she decided to wear blue contacts to stand out in the crowd. But, after learning more about herself and her own amazing beauty, she finally ditches the contacts and shows off her stunning jet black eyes.
68. After 9 years and 3 kids
Being a mom will definitely teach a woman lots of lessons in life. Everything is not about you anymore, but about the lives, you’ve helped bring into this world. This emo girl used to be a wild chick back in the day. Now she’s more responsible than ever after having three kids.
69. 7 years later and learning how to smile
Emo people never smile and their energy is always as low as it could get. This woman was once emo, too. But seven years after her emo phase, she has grown to be a more cheerful woman who definitely knows how to smile.
70. Once a chubby anime fan
Some teens enjoy their rebellious phase by being fanatics. One of the most common things they craze about is anime! This girl was once a chubby anime fan, but after a few years and losing the extra weight, she became a chic young woman who is even dating a model!
Some girls can be quite wild and loud when they are at the peak of their rebellious phase. This woman used to be one of them until she learned to grow up, marry the man of her dreams, and become a hairstylist.
72. From creepy to an expert in Cosmetology
Let’s be honest. Emo people are sort of creepy at times. Just like this girl who always wore black and had really spiky hair. Fortunately, she eventually learned to make the best out of her style and pursued Cosmetology.
73. When you discover that you don’t really know it all
When you are still young, you feel like you know everything that’s going to happen and life gets boring and so frustrating. But, eventually, when you become older and wiser, you’ll see that you actually know too little and that you still have a lot to learn, just like what this woman realized after seven years.
Source: Bored Panda
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