Me, ten years ago. Well for starters, facial hair. I definitely had a young look to myself. Back then it was BAD to look young. You would get ID'ed for anything requiring you to be 18. When you rolled into 21, same ordeal. People would pick on me because apparently how old you looked dictated your maturity. So, I made sure I had some form of facial hair at all times. I do think I look better with some scruff but back then it was purely to look older. People can deny it all they want, everyone caters certain things to adhere to others whether they are aware of it or not.
Second difference, piercings. As pictured there are basic hoops. Fortunately the ears is all Ive had since at the present day piercings are definitely not my thing. They were stretched multiple times and again, grateful I didnt go overboard. To the keen eye you can still tell my ears were stretched at one time but nothing extreme.
So what else has changed?
Me in 2013. No more ear rings. Clean shaven. Maybe 20 pounds heavier (good thing). In terms of physique I guess you could say not much has changed in ten years. Im still wearing basic practical clothes in earth tones only. Theres not a single blue, red or yellow piece of clothing in my possession.
Which leaves me to the original question, whats really changed? Looking at both pictures side by side, I can confidently say a lot. The look in my eyes. In 2003 I was younger (duh), inexperienced in many ways and had no idea what the world was about. I had a naive yet eager gaze. Now into 2014, my expression has totally changed. I truly KNOW things. Ive carved experiences into stone that will remain unchanged to the day I die. I know what the world is about and maintain a strong opinion of the matter. Ive accrued a skill set thats forever increasing. Theres certain things I will not do now that I wouldve ignorantly done ten years ago. In all essence, Id say these are all normal things.
If we arent growing, learning and progressive, what are we doing? This is merely ten years. Theres plenty more to go and no desire to slow down. I dont feel older but know Im older. Perhaps its the gray hair coming in or the thoughts of "maybe I shouldnt do that". I hope in ten years I can have a third picture to compare. Theres not many decades in life so if one passes by unknown its a serious chunk of lost time, with time being a luxury these days.
