Brie Larson Used to Be Embarrassed of Her Appearance

For anyone who follows Brie Larson on social media, you’re very aware of how awesome she is (for those that don’t, you can catch up here). She regularly critiques her fashion missteps through the years, calls attention to her less-than-fresh airport style and isn’t afraid to get real about her beauty woes. But her latest post is her most candid and reflective yet. The Oscar winner opens up about a time she was in Hollywood limbo, and she would attend major events without the help of a style squad.

In 2013, she was the Maui Film Festival’s Rising Star Award recipient and dedicated her #TBT post to the event. “It shocked me to find this photo because I remember the day so well,” she shared in her comment. “I was respected enough to be honored at the Maui Film Festival — but not known enough to have a stylist or ‘glam squad.’”

She explains that she wore a Madewell dress she found in her closet and did the best makeup look she could. “The most I knew how to do for grooming was pin half of it back and blink on a few coats of mascara.”

Although she’s quick to make fun of her outfits or hair choices now, she wasn’t fully confident on the carpet back then. “Before we went to the ceremony I felt flashes of embarrassment — I worried I was too fat, too ugly, too depressingly banal to be honored. I cringed to take photos.”

Looking back at that time after all she’s been through since (she was regularly voted best dressed on the award season circuit) she’s proud of her younger self. “But today I see this moment and feel only love for myself. There is nothing wrong with this person. She is honest and beautiful and committed to showing up for this life. I wish I saw myself then as I see myself now. There is no need to waste your time working to be anything other than you.”

She concludes: “So hey, #tbt — thank you for the chance to honor all the hilarious ways we didn’t know ourselves upon first meeting, and all the exciting new ways we get to know ourselves while we keep living.”

Keep the #TBTs coming, Brie!

This article originally appeared on People.com