Remember 2009? We have mixed feelings. On the upside it pre-dated the discovery of our eyebrows (something we are eternally grateful for) but in the downside it was before Donald Trump dabbled in politics and Alexa started listening in on all of your private conversations. Before the existence of fourteen-year olds perfecting the smoky eye at an age when we could barely boil an egg.
But thanks to Instagram's #10yearchallenge now we're all experiencing a major throwback. For the uninitiated, this is the latest viral trend of posting a picture of yourself now beside one from 10 years ago and marveling at the difference a decade has made, or in the case of some celebrities, the astonishing lack of difference. It's also showing no signs of slowing down with currently 1.6 million tags on Instagram and counting. So sorry, but this mans you're probably not going to be escaping it for a while.
The challenge has seen everyone from Instagram influencers to Golden Globe winners reflecting on an age to when we barely had front-facing camera’s, when bikini's weren't tooth floss that begin somewhere in the region of your naval and when we discoveredPenn Badgely was Gossip Girl all along (and before the revelation that stalking the object of your affections is not so much romantic as creepy and weird. Hey Netflix’s You).
But why is there such an across-the-board craze with posting your worst braces picture next to the highlighted unicorn of today? According to psychologists the roots of our obsession could be based in tribal behaviors “We feel most connected to each other by implementing customs and rituals and Instagram allows these rituals to occur on a mass scale and helps boost the sense of connection with others, even if they’re on the other side of the world” says Peter Klein, a member of the Counselling Directory. Other psychological studies suggest a throwback Thursday is also actually good for our mental wellbeing because it gives us a hit of nostalgia. Although it can also be used as a knee-jerk reaction to loneliness, depression and emotional distress.
Unsurprisingly, as is always the case with social media there’s also an element of the humble brag going on. In fact, posting a 10 year challenge picture is really no different from posting a fire mirror selfie, Peter also says that the challenge feeds into our desire for "an acceptable method of receiving attention and feedback without appearing like you're fishing for it".
You heard it here first, no matter how woke the caption this is still a bit of good old-fashioned narcissism. But that doesn't stop us sort of enjoying it from afar. And we’re obsessed with some of the celebrity additions to the challenge. Do they have superhuman anti-aging powers stashed away in their artistically dishevelled up-do’s?
Reese Witherspoon if you’re reading, it’s definitely time to share your secrets with the world because we have questions. In the meantime, here are all of our favourite contributions:
Celebrity 10 Year Challenges
1 of 21Anna Hathaway
The actress wrote on Instagram "Wow. Check out 2009 me trying so hard not to do anything wrong. Check out 2019 me doing what feels right. Wicked sweet. #10YearChallenge"
2 of 21Reese Witherspoon
There's no explanation for this other than Reese Witherspoon is a Wizard or secretly has a Dorian Grey style portrait in her attic that's aging for her.
3 of 21Ellen DeGeneres
"#10yearchallenge. I never realised how differently I hold my hand now." - Same Ellen, different decade.
4 of 21Jennifer Lopez
JLo's 10 year challenge reflected on the fact that she's had a baby, but still looks absolutely fire. Obviously. Because it's JLo.
5 of 21Isla Fisher
Isla Fisher got super relatable with her challenge writing "I was stretchmark/spanx/diaper free a decade ago #10yearchallenge" weren't we all Isla. Weren't we all...
6 of 21Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus's throwback also featured her now-husband Liam Hemsworth. Anyone remember the film they starred in together The Last Song? That came out in 2010. We are officially witnessing the beginning of the Miley/Liam romance here.
7 of 21Jaclyn Hill
Beauty influencer Jaclyn Hill's wrote a heartfelt post "10 years ago I was 18 years old, working as a MAC freelance artist, dealing with bullies & engaged to be married. I was so lost & so confused about life & what I truly wanted. My dad was an addict & taught me a lot of really hard lessons (that I am now thankful for) but at the time, it made me insecure & I never knew what I wanted or deserved. Fast forward to now...."
8 of 21Lori Loughlin
Lori Loughlin must have the same facialist/wizarding powers as Reese Witherspoon and we need to know what they are because honestly we can't see a single difference here.
9 of 21Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union took the challenge a step further by going not one but two decades back. She wrote "1998. 2008. 2018. ❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f #20year10yearchallenge"
10 of 21Jessica Biel
Ok she pointed out her tan lines - but we have to ask did Jessica Biel ever have an awkward hair phase? (like we all did in 2009?) apparently not. The actress wrote "What a difference ten years can make! Although I do still have a lot of ❤ufe0f for my tan lines, hoops and blonde days... #10YearChallenge"
11 of 21Chrissy Teigan
Chrissy, this is why we love you - you deliver. Our chosen queen of the internet captioned her throwback "googled myself in 2009. HOW IS JOHN GONNA LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME"
12 of 21Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson was one of the celebs to have undergone a more dramatic style change in the last decade "A decade and a buzz cut later #10YearChallenge"
13 of 21Caitlyn Jenner
We especially love Caitlyn Jenner's contribution to the challenge "Now THAT is a #10YearChallenge Be authentic to yourself"
14 of 21Eva Longoria
The actress wrote "Well, here it goes y'all #10YearChallenge #BangBang #2008vs2018"
15 of 21Kate Beckinsale
Frankly in Kate Beckinsale's challenge caption I have never found myself relating to an A-list actress more "Ok ten year challenge. Major developments: 1) I am much happier now and 2) I no longer ask for "the autumn palette" at cheap makeup counters. Also actually first pic is 2005 but I can't be arsed looking for a similar one from 2009 so whatever I'm over it"
16 of 21Jada Pinkett-Smith
"10 years later... from the operating table to the Red Table"
17 of 21Viola Davis
"Is it too late for the #10YearChallenge? ud83dudcf7@jill.greenberg/@johnrussophoto"
18 of 21Mandy Moore
"These last 10 years have REALLY aged me. #10yearchallenge"
19 of 21Madonna
"Apparently there is more! ud83dude02ud83dude02 The Perks of Being a Wallflower. ud83cudf38 #thechallengeissurviving"
20 of 21Elizabeth Banks
"Exclusive Report: Blondes do have more fun. A little over #10YearChallenge"
21 of 21Alison Brie
"2009 vs 2019 ...still standing in the sun, but now I wear more sunscreen. ☀ufe0f #10yearchallenge"