Jessica

Guest Submission: Jessica

Then: 13 years old, 8th grade, Carlsbad, New Mexico

Now: 23 years old, Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Carlsbad, New Mexico

“8th grade was probably my worst year growing up. On top of not knowing how to tame my curly/frizzy hair and wearing braces, I also had to put up with a friend bullying me and pushing me out of our circle of friends (it had to do with jealousy, I was later told). Everyone around me seemed to have a boyfriend, and I was worried that, because I didn’t, something must be wrong with me. That was also the year my family’s house got flooded (yes, even in the New Mexican desert), and life at home was just generally a struggle at that time. If it weren’t for me diving into my creative writing, I don’t know what I would’ve done.

“The beginning of high school didn’t start out well either, but gradually I gained better friends and joined theater, which helped me break out of my shell. I graduated 6th in my class and went on to the University of Montana in Missoula and received my BA in English, emphasis in film studies and creative writing. I made my 13-year old’s dream of going to the UK a reality when I studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland for a semester. After a year of teaching and doing videography work in New Mexico, I’m moving on to teach freshman composition and get my master’s (and possibly Ph.D.!) in English: Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“I’m very happy with where I am now. I think I almost needed those awkward teen years to motivate me to build myself up, find the clothes and makeup that I like, and be the kind of person I’d want to be around. While I love caring for and helping people, I’ve also learned that self-care is just as important and that sometimes I need to do things for me and not worry what other people will think.”

Leslie

Guest Submission: Leslie

Then: 17 years old, Dallas, TX

Now: 39 years old, Sales Manager residing in Centennial, CO

“This picture was taken during my senior prom in Dallas, Texas with my boyfriend Craig in 1992. I was 17 and thought I was punk rock by shaving my head and wearing platform heels because I wanted to stand out. Which I am sure I did. My mother was so mad at me for doing that to my hair! This was shortly before the nose piercing and tattoos that made her equally angry with me. I am now 39 years old living in Centennial, Co with my husband Jeremy and two young kids. After being laid off from my corporate cubicle job, I decided to join my mother in expanding her promotional marketing products business. So at this time I am currently training to be a sales manager aka business partner. As much as this old photo embarrasses me today, it also reminds me of how far I have come in changing my life and how I think of myself now. I remember in grade school how one kid used to call me “fat lard” and some people used to make fun of my crooked teeth and frizzy hair. I took those criticisms to heart but also let it fuel my desire to change into a more confident and healthy person. I am no longer that awkward and insecure high school girl and Merilee’s Awkward Years Project helps communicate how all of us eventually do “grow out of it”.”