--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to be so self-conscious about my…" description: "\"I used to be so self-conscious about my braces that people thought I was shy - I just never talked. It took me a long time to realize, whatever, it's n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/halima-aden-8338_braces_i-used-to-be-so-self-conscious-about-my_3053280.jpg" --- # I used to be so self-conscious about my braces that people… ![“I used to be so self-conscious about my braces that people thought I was shy - I just never talked. It took me a long time to realize, whatever, it's not like I'll have them forever, so I might as well enjoy it while I do!” quote by Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/halima-aden-8338_braces_i-used-to-be-so-self-conscious-about-my_3053280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/halima-aden-8338_braces_i-used-to-be-so-self-conscious-about-my_3053280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/halima-aden-8338_braces_i-used-to-be-so-self-conscious-about-my_3053280.jpg) > “I used to be so self-conscious about my braces that people thought I was shy - I just never talked. It took me a long time to realize, whatever, it's not like I'll have them forever, so I might as well enjoy it while I do!” [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Realizing braces are temporary helps shift focus from self‑consciousness to enjoying the present. **In simple terms:** Braces are temporary, enjoy now. Key Takeaway Accept impermanence, engage socially. Themes self‑esteem confidence impermanence Mood reflective optimistic Type personal growth motivational When to use this quote - school - social events - public speaking Key Concepts psychology self‑acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can you remind yourself of impermanence daily? - What small social step can you take now? A Different Perspective Confidence may still be hindered by lingering insecurities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-conscious/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I was a shy child, and when I was 13, I started wearing braces on my teeth. I used to be acutely self-conscious, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-shannon/i-was-a-shy-child-and-when-i-was-13-i-started-wearing-braces-on-my/) [Samantha Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-shannon/) > [I’ve always thought of myself as shy,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-ve-always-thought-of-myself-as-shy/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) > [The girl you once thought was shy, quiet, and nice has gone through things you could never imagine and still manages too keep herself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-gutierrez/the-girl-you-once-thought-was-shy-quiet-and-nice-has-gone-through/) [Karina Gutierrez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-gutierrez/) > [As a kid I had buck teeth and braces and acne. I hated what I saw. I'm still not comfortable, but that's why I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/as-a-kid-i-had-buck-teeth-and-braces-and-acne-i-hated-what-i-saw-i-m/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I had the longest awkward phase. I had braces for 3 years; I cut my own bangs too far back and they looked like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dove-cameron/i-had-the-longest-awkward-phase-i-had-braces-for-3-years-i-cut-my-own/) [Dove Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dove-cameron/) > [When I was a child, I wanted to be an actor, but I had really bad buck teeth. I didn't want to get braces,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-franco/when-i-was-a-child-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-but-i-had-really-bad-buck/) [James Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-franco/) > [“Damn braces...bless relaxes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/damn-braces-bless-relaxes/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [I had braces; I was lucky, 'cause I had some snaggle teeth. I always try and keep my retainer on me 'cause I'm paranoid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kreayshawn/i-had-braces-i-was-lucky-cause-i-had-some-snaggle-teeth-i-always-try/) [Kreayshawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kreayshawn/) > [Since I was 8 months old, till I was 12, I did commercials and ads and cute little stuff for kids. Then I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bar-refaeli/since-i-was-8-months-old-till-i-was-12-i-did-commercials-and-ads-and/) [Bar Refaeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bar-refaeli/) > [I had braces for two-and-a-half years, and I promise you, I wouldnt have been the same girl if I didnt. I would not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-sims/i-had-braces-for-two-and-a-half-years-and-i-promise-you-i-wouldnt/) [Molly Sims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-sims/) > [I always had a weak chin because we couldn't afford to correct my bite, which could have been corrected with braces. So the chin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-burnett/i-always-had-a-weak-chin-because-we-couldn-t-afford-to-correct-my/) [Carol Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-burnett/) > [Americans are really obsessed with their teeth being white and straight, aren't they? I saw this little girl the other day with one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-moss/americans-are-really-obsessed-with-their-teeth-being-white-and/) [Kate Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-moss/) > [People called me sharktooth, Dracula. I got made fun of so much cause I couldn't afford braces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/people-called-me-sharktooth-dracula-i-got-made-fun-of-so-much-cause-i/) [Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/) > [When I got my braces removed, I felt more like a real woman, any traces of my childhood were stripped, just like the cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-carlson-romano/when-i-got-my-braces-removed-i-felt-more-like-a-real-woman-any-traces/) [Christy Carlson Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-carlson-romano/) > [My friends were amazed that I became a TV presenter. I was not a big talker at school - I never liked people seeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/my-friends-were-amazed-that-i-became-a-tv-presenter-i-was-not-a-big/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) ## More by Halima Aden > [A lot of people had a misconception that I would be the perfect poster child for Islam. So I got a lot of Instagram…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/a-lot-of-people-had-a-misconception-that-i-would-be-the-perfect/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [A lot of people will look at you and will fail to see your beauty because you're covered up and they're not used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/a-lot-of-people-will-look-at-you-and-will-fail-to-see-your-beauty/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [I love speaking at schools. That's always my favorite because I wish I'd had someone who was like me come speak at my school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/i-love-speaking-at-schools-that-s-always-my-favorite-because-i-wish-i/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [I love Somali foods like canjeero, a pancakelike bread; same for pizza, burgers, and sushi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/i-love-somali-foods-like-canjeero-a-pancakelike-bread-same-for-pizza/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [Moving to the U.S. was an adjustment. I noticed that the kids played in groups. Back in Kakuma, everyone played together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/moving-to-the-u-s-was-an-adjustment-i-noticed-that-the-kids-played-in/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [Always stay true to who you are - barriers can and will be broken!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/always-stay-true-to-who-you-are-barriers-can-and-will-be-broken/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [I feel bad for my little cousins who don't see themselves being represented, or the little girls in my community who won't have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/i-feel-bad-for-my-little-cousins-who-don-t-see-themselves-being/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [When people put labels on us, it doesn't always enclose everything that we are. So even though I'm proud to be Somali, I'm proud…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/when-people-put-labels-on-us-it-doesn-t-always-enclose-everything/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [If you think people are against you and that you're a target, things will start appearing that way. I just go about my day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/if-you-think-people-are-against-you-and-that-you-re-a-target-things/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [If there's one message I want people to take away is never compromise being your authentic self. Even if that means making others uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/if-there-s-one-message-i-want-people-to-take-away-is-never-compromise/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [Product-wise, I use a morning and night cleanser. I'm really not a brand person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/product-wise-i-use-a-morning-and-night-cleanser-i-m-really-not-a/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [Back in high school, I didn't ever see a Muslim homecoming king or queen - there was never even anyone nominated. It just seemed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/back-in-high-school-i-didn-t-ever-see-a-muslim-homecoming-king-or/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [Wearing modest clothing is a belief, and I'm not going to say that every Muslim woman is in my shoes, but the majority of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/wearing-modest-clothing-is-a-belief-and-i-m-not-going-to-say-that/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [I like shopping at retail places like JC Penney or Macy's, and maybe buying a top or a shirt, and then buying a skirt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/i-like-shopping-at-retail-places-like-jc-penney-or-macy-s-and-maybe/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [My favorite part of modeling is backstage. Every day you work with different people, and as much as people learn about my story, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/my-favorite-part-of-modeling-is-backstage-every-day-you-work-with/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) [Explore all 82 Halima Aden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) ## More Braces quotes > [As a kid I had buck teeth and braces and acne. I hated what I saw. I'm still not comfortable, but that's why I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/as-a-kid-i-had-buck-teeth-and-braces-and-acne-i-hated-what-i-saw-i-m/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I find it frustrating when people wear belts with braces. That's an interesting one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-murs/i-find-it-frustrating-when-people-wear-belts-with-braces-that-s-an/) [Olly Murs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-murs/) > [When I got my braces removed, I felt more like a real woman, any traces of my childhood were stripped, just like the cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-carlson-romano/when-i-got-my-braces-removed-i-felt-more-like-a-real-woman-any-traces/) [Christy Carlson Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-carlson-romano/) > [You should have seen me at 14, with braces and glasses, gangly and doing ballet!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-robbie/you-should-have-seen-me-at-14-with-braces-and-glasses-gangly-and/) [Margot Robbie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-robbie/) > [If you're at the top, then brace for the fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-kelly/if-you-re-at-the-top-then-brace-for-the-fall/) [Tori Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-kelly/) > [We must now brace ourselves for disquisitions on peer pressure, adolescent anomie, and rage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-krauthammer/we-must-now-brace-ourselves-for-disquisitions-on-peer-pressure/) [Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-krauthammer/) > [People in L.A. don't have to brace themselves against the cold; they slack off permanently, and their brains turn to mush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-hatfield/people-in-l-a-don-t-have-to-brace-themselves-against-the-cold-they/) [Juliana Hatfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-hatfield/) > [Me without you is like a nerd without braces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-without-you-is-like-a-nerd-without-braces/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was a teenager with braces and into sporty dresses with bright colors and cut-outs. For awhile, I really experimented with what I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/i-was-a-teenager-with-braces-and-into-sporty-dresses-with-bright/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [People called me sharktooth, Dracula. I got made fun of so much cause I couldn't afford braces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/people-called-me-sharktooth-dracula-i-got-made-fun-of-so-much-cause-i/) [Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/) > [I've seen a thousand killer smiles and I've heard a million white lies. I want to meet a girl with braces with one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romeo-huerbana/i-ve-seen-a-thousand-killer-smiles-and-i-ve-heard-a-million-white/) [Romeo Huerbana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romeo-huerbana/) > [ER was one of my favourites. I played a car accident victim who has leukemia. I got to wear a neck brace and nose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dakota-fanning/er-was-one-of-my-favourites-i-played-a-car-accident-victim-who-has/) [Dakota Fanning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dakota-fanning/) > [I got picked on a lot. I was a complete geek in school. I had braces. I didn't have the hot girlfriend. I wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-brolin/i-got-picked-on-a-lot-i-was-a-complete-geek-in-school-i-had-braces-i/) [Josh Brolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-brolin/) > [I'm like, 'Yeah, I could afford braces, but why should I change myself to be what everybody else wants me to be when I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-g/i-m-like-yeah-i-could-afford-braces-but-why-should-i-change-myself-to/) [Becky G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-g/) > [For a time in high school, I had glasses, braces, and a cast. I like to call this look 'no date for homecoming.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-graham/for-a-time-in-high-school-i-had-glasses-braces-and-a-cast-i-like-to/) [Lauren Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-graham/) Browse all 145 Braces quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to be so self-conscious about my braces that people thought I was shy - I just never talked. 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