#GrowingUpUgly: when no one ever unfroze you in freeze tag.

For some of us, growing up wasn’t as pleasant as it was for others. Many of us were bullied for our physical appearance. We were the kid no one wanted to be kind to because we had a gap between our two front teeth that was the width of a field-goal post. All the popular kids called us Bugs Bunny and the hideous glasses never did us any justice. We were ridiculed because our shoes were from Payless and seldom ever matched with the outfit Mom picked out.

Yes, we were the kid that was never unfrozen during freeze tag. We were the epitome of an ugly duckling.

Growing up ugly was nearly a Shakespearean tragedy.

Although it was awful being an unattractive kid, if you viewed the situation with a positive outlook, then growing up as the ugly duckling has played a significant role in shaping who you are today.

Being the ugly kid during the cruel years of kindergarten through high school, there is a strong possibility that you have grown to acquire not only beauty, but also a great personality.

Aika Eden, a women’s studies major who is a former ugly duckling said, “Because of being ugly as a kid, I grew up being non-superficial. I have learned to be carefree and accept people regardless of their appearance. A person who may not be considered attractive in our society, may be the most beautiful person on the inside. Although, it’s hard to ever know how beautiful a person’s personality is if people continue to judge someone by their physical appearance.”

In contrast, someone may be beautiful or easy on the eyes, but have the personality of a narcissist jerk. For example, the kids who are considered popular for their looks and being the star athlete become played out sooner than later while their confidence level reaches a point of no return. This “cockiness” leads to being remembered in a negative way throughout life.

No one is perfect. With that being said, another positive outcome of being the ugly duckling is the need to stand up for yourself and others. There comes a point where people grow tired of being judged by their flaws, so they learn to hold their ground. Someone who grew up being bullied because their appearance wasn’t equivalent with the other kids, knows that bullying, under any circumstances, is wrong. Therefore, when they witness these things happening, they have no issue being the defender. Being kind and strong people who stand up for what is right, are the type of people who are remembered in a positive way through life.

As a kid, since we weren’t told everyday how beautiful we were, appreciation of beauty becomes greater as we grow older. We learn to see the beauty in everything even if he, she, or it isn’t considered beautiful in today’s superficial definition. We learn to appreciate the beauty in our struggles, our surroundings, and most important of all, the self.

Some of us didn’t grow up being pleasing to the eyes. There was a lot of negativity thrown our way because we didn’t look like everyone else, BUT there were also a handful of positive learning outcomes we can carry with us throughout our lives.

Besides, being the ugly duckling doesn’t mean we weren’t beautiful to the people who mattered the most. We were beautiful then and we are beautiful now, regardless of how “on fleek” or “hurt” our eyebrows may be.