As someone who was horribly ugly until I turned about 23, I can relate. It was really frustrating at times to have people try to be so 'nice' and basically lie to my face. I remember how thankful I was when my Dad was honest with me. He didn't say anything in a mean way at all... It's hard to describe but he was honest and frank. I look back at the pictures and yep, I was as ugly and awkward as I felt.

I'll let you in on a secret though... I'm 30 now and have been called "striking" for my looks. It makes me uncomfortable. I didn't do anything to earn them. It's not something I'm proud of like my collage education. It's just what I happened to be plunked into. I feel really weird putting makeup on and dressing up as well, I don't like to give people a reason to look at me. It feels like I'm yelling at them "LOOK AT ME, I'M OH SO PRETTY!!" I know in my head that I'm attractive to society's standards but it's not at all like I used to day dream it would be like.

I have trouble with guy friends. Not them mostly, but their S/O's. One of my best friends is male and we've known each other for about nine years. His current GF is really weird about us hanging out. He told me that she thinks I'm "hot" so she doesn't trust him around me. Females can be really catty too... Putting me down etc.

I'm not saying at all that life is so hard being attractive blah blah blah... I'm just telling you honestly what it's like to change. I was comfortable being in the shadows with people assuming I'm socially awkward. It's disorientating to one day be looked at like I'm supposed to know how to socialize, flirt and be the life of the party. Most days I'd much rather sit on a windowsill with a cat on my lap and book in my hand!

I salute you for bringing this topic up! I still think that it shouldn't (it does, but it shouldn't) matter what we look like... We should be able to be honest about it though. Once again I'm wishing Reddit was around when I was in high school... Just hearing someone else say this would have helped a LOT.