You're still very young and you're only being mistaken as two or three years younger, which happens to almost everyone at that time in life. There's a very good chance that as you get further into adulthood, you will look more your age.
I have this "problem" too. It's odd because when I was a teenager, I was often mistaken as being in my twenties. Now that I'm in my mid-20's, I'm occasionally mistaken as being a teenager. I just don't see it, personally. I find it very confusing because while I am short and just small in general, I don't have a baby face at all and am, well, pretty obviously fully developed. Not to mention the fact that unless I'm completely covered up from head to toe, I've got quite the collection of tattoos that have taken a decade to amass, which is nearly impossible for a minor. When I've asked, most people say that I do look my age, but then quite often I'm asked which high school I attend by complete strangers.
It can cause problems and unfortunately, I do think that this issue can be trivialized or written off pretty quickly. While it is better in the long-run to look younger than your years, people tend to have more respect for older people. In my case as a researcher and later an educator, I've had to deal with potential employers, colleagues and even students who've initially thought I was too young to be there. Then there's the occasional looks of incredulity when I have to take the time to explain that yes, I'm actually old and enough and fully qualified. It just makes it that much harder to "prove" yourself.
Like others have said, though, there are things you can do to make yourself look more your age if it really bothers you. You can try to appear more put-together, dress more professionally or wear a little makeup if you like that sort of thing. Most importantly, try to exude a subtle confidence in yourself. People pick up on that more than anything.
people mistake me for being 16-17 is it normal?
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You're still very young and you're only being mistaken as two or three years younger, which happens to almost everyone at that time in life. There's a very good chance that as you get further into adulthood, you will look more your age.
I have this "problem" too. It's odd because when I was a teenager, I was often mistaken as being in my twenties. Now that I'm in my mid-20's, I'm occasionally mistaken as being a teenager. I just don't see it, personally. I find it very confusing because while I am short and just small in general, I don't have a baby face at all and am, well, pretty obviously fully developed. Not to mention the fact that unless I'm completely covered up from head to toe, I've got quite the collection of tattoos that have taken a decade to amass, which is nearly impossible for a minor. When I've asked, most people say that I do look my age, but then quite often I'm asked which high school I attend by complete strangers.
It can cause problems and unfortunately, I do think that this issue can be trivialized or written off pretty quickly. While it is better in the long-run to look younger than your years, people tend to have more respect for older people. In my case as a researcher and later an educator, I've had to deal with potential employers, colleagues and even students who've initially thought I was too young to be there. Then there's the occasional looks of incredulity when I have to take the time to explain that yes, I'm actually old and enough and fully qualified. It just makes it that much harder to "prove" yourself.
Like others have said, though, there are things you can do to make yourself look more your age if it really bothers you. You can try to appear more put-together, dress more professionally or wear a little makeup if you like that sort of thing. Most importantly, try to exude a subtle confidence in yourself. People pick up on that more than anything.