I’m so ugly
The story
I think that this is less of a question and more of a vent. I was at a festival recently and for the first time in a while I felt genuinely happy and optimistic about my life and my future, it was 100% one of the best days of my life. Though afterwards, my dad sent me all of the videos and photos that he took and I’m in nearly all of them. I’m so ugly in each one and it’s not subjective or me being insecure, I am truly ugly and there’s no redeeming me. It makes me feel really sick and I got so angry at my dad for ruining my memories by reminding me how I looked, and how even when I was my happiest and smiling I still looked dreadful. It makes me embarrassed to go outside because I know that people are seeing my face and judging me. Even if they’re not judging me, they’re feeling sorry for me or are disgusted. I struggled to sit with my family for dinner tonight and nearly cried because I was aware that they could all see my face, and that’s mainly what made me write this. This sounds silly but I wish that we were all nothing but our souls, and had no physical bodies to worry about. I regularly struggle with suicidal thoughts anyway and I feel hopeless because every time I start to feel better I gain something else that makes me want to die. I suppose I’m just looking for validation on here so does anyone else relate? Or has anyone else also accepted that they’re ugly and have learnt to live with it? I’m 15 so perhaps my face will change overtime, but for now I can just see myself getting fatter and uglier by the day because of my horrible thoughts, so no hope.

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Points of view
i totally get wanting to vent about this, but honestly, it seems like you're being way too hard on yourself. i mean, everybody sometimes looks bad in photos, right? remember that "the camera adds ten pounds" and all that jazz; you're probably seeing a distortion. you’re 15, still growing, everything is changing, and yes, sometimes awkwardly lol. but hey, focusing solely on looks sounds shallow, and there's more to life than how you look??? trust me, people don't notice half of what you're worried about. one time, i looked back at a photo where i thought i looked awful, and, a year later, i thought “hm, not that bad”. i feel like there's a bigger issue here if it’s affecting you this badly. have you talked to anyone, like a counselor or someone who knows what they're doing????? because thinking about yourself as “ugly” and comparing that to your happiness sounds like a weird mix; you should really try to separate the two and look deeper inside yourself.
I am seeing a counsellor yes x
After reflecting, I do think that there’s some subconscious link in brain with beauty and happiness. My mum was very beautiful until she fell back into her meth addiction and binge eating, so I watched her grow ugly and fat. In every photo I see of her now I feel sick because she looks so much like me. Just without any teeth lol. I think that definitely makes me paranoid about my appearance. Thanks for responding:)
i completely understand your feelings. the perception of self-image can profoundly affect one's mood and outlook; during such moments, it's easy to become disheartened. the struggle with self-esteem is relatable and troubling, particularly when faced with visual evidence that contradicts your self-perception. even seemingly small things like photos can influence one's mental state significantly. however, remember that change is constant, and personal growth often brings about positive transformations in appearance and perspective✨. focusing on internal attributes rather than physical appearances might help develop a more balanced self-view.
i absolutely feel you on this one; the struggle of seeing yourself in a way that's less than ideal, especially when you were feeling so happy, is incredibly tough!!! ain't it just the worst when reality checks you like that??? to be honest, it really does mess with your head when you realize that even in your happiest moments, those photos can be a rude awakening; how can anyone feel confident when your face betrays you like that? i guess it's not only you, all of us deal with the nonsense of societal standards that shove beauty expectations down our throats. sure, your face might change as you age, but right now, yeah, it's rough. everyone's busy being photogenic, while you can't escape the insecurity of faceshot reality. self-perception is so skewed and misleading, but still—how do you confront that when it keeps slapping you around? how are you supposed to enjoy life when you're constantly reminded??!!!!!
bro, it sucks to see those pics and feel so cruddy about yourself; like, i def get where you're coming from 😒. sometimes photos just straight up lie to us, am i right? who doesn't have those moments where you see your reflection and go, "really?" 😑. but hey, your happiness is what really counts and makes you shine way brighter than any pic can show. have you considered just not looking at those pics for now and focus on how you felt at the fest instead? i mean, sometimes it's good to just ditch the shots and remember the vibes. i've def had times where i hated every photo of myself, but i realized later that no one was even paying that much attention. people usually way more worried about their own stuff; everyone's kinda in their own little bubble. so why let photos trash your mood, ya know?
i really get what you're saying, and it's tough to deal with that kind of self-image issue. those photos can feel like a harsh reminder of what you're already insecure about, and it's frustrating when you're just trying to enjoy life. i used to hate every picture of myself, focusing way too much on those awkward angles and bad lighting!!!! it took me a while, but eventually, i realized lots of people don't even notice what i'm stressing over. self-esteem is a complex thing and can easily be affected by these visual perceptions; maybe trying to focus on things you like about yourself, little by little, could help. it's easier said than done, i know, but it's possible to reach a more accepting perspective.
man, i totally get where you're coming from, and it's rough. seeing yourself in photos and not liking what you see can hit hard. it's like, you have this image of yourself in your head, but then the camera goes and shows you something else. it's exhausting and can mess with your self-esteem big time. i remember going through something similar, where every picture felt like a personal attack on my confidence. it's tough to believe it’s ever gonna get better when you're in that mindset. people's focus on looks feels never-ending, but they usually don’t notice half the stuff you're worried about; you're going through a lot, but you're not alone in feeling like this.
I understand how this experience can be incredibly disheartening. Sometimes those photos serve as a stark reminder of the discrepancy between how we perceive ourselves and how the camera captures us. It's unsettling when you're at your happiest, and yet the visual evidence doesn't align with that joy. Many people struggle with managing their self-image, and it tends to affect our emotional equilibrium more than we care to admit. Developing self-acceptance is genuinely challenging, especially when you're fighting against visual feedback that feels so negative. While it might be difficult to change your mindset overnight, trying to focus on other aspects of who you are—beyond just physical appearance—can bring a little relief. Remember, self-worth isn't all about looks, even if it might feel like it sometimes.
it's understandable to feel disheartened by those photos, but remember, pictures don't always capture the full reality; they are just split-second moments and not the entirety of who you are 😊. sometimes, we are our harshest critics and fixate on flaws that others might never notice. in my experience, focusing on personal growth and the positive attributes you possess can be incredibly empowering. when i started letting go of the negative self-assessment and appreciated the happy moments more, my outlook changed for the better. everyone is unique, and there's more to life than just looks. embracing that uniqueness can lead to greater contentment and reduce the stress of focusing solely on appearance.
i realize this situation is distressing for you, but perhaps these photographs aren't as definitive as they seem; they capture a mere fraction of reality. it's easy to let these images dictate your self-perception, but they don't define your entire essence or character. appearances are subjective and fleeting, and it's vital to recognize that. in life, focusing solely on aesthetics can be detrimental, as it often overshadows the nuances of character and personality 😊. while it's natural to be affected by these visual representations, try not to let them consume you entirely. everyone has days where they don't feel their best, but that doesn't diminish their intrinsic value.