Awkward, Humiliating, Embarrassing-as-Hell Photos: Then and Now

If you went to elementary school, middle school, or high school, you probably have at least fifteen cringe-worthy-as-crap school portraits.

The Awkward Years Project gives the kids of today hope — you will grow out that bowl haircut and you won’t regret those braces. And no, wearing 15 slap bracelets at once wasn’t a great fashion choice*.

35-year-old UX Designer Merilee Allred started the blog for the formerly awkward adults and the currently awkward kids:

My goal is to make this blog fun. I want people to be proud of who they’ve become. I want youth, especially those who are currently going through a rough time, to know that they are great people in the making. I want to show them that their lives are only just beginning, to see their potential, and to not let bullies get them down. It’s the differences that set us apart from everyone else and we should celebrate that. Great and many things are in store for all of us. I want this blog to show the “aftermath” of my subjects, and how they not only survived their awkward years, but how great of people they turned out to be!

Cool. And, hey, some of us are still awkward and doing just fine. (Snaps 15th slap bracelet into place.)