How can I stop being so vain and self obsessed?

I feel that you knew something then that you have forgotten now - looks don't really matter. I know this is easy to say but you seemed to be enjoying yourself far more in them early pictures than you are now. As for perception, you cannot know (and maybe it's for the best!) how people perceive you and really, what does it matter? Isn't it strange that now you look much better, you cannot enjoy it because you are worrying about what other people think and of how you used to look? You need to somehow learn to be happy in your own skin. You cannot change the way you used to look. Instead, think of the way you used to think and feel - has this changed much? You are the same person underneath and you need to learn to love yourself (how you where and how you are).