When did you start to become self-conscious?

I can remember various times when I was 11 or twelve. I had a sixth grade teacher that had us practice extemporaneous speech. We would have to stand before the class and speak on something for 3 minutes.

And again, in my freshman year of high school, a teacher had us write a letter to our selves to be mailed ten years later. That was self conscious without even being exposed.

I think I’ve been self conscious for as long as I can remember.
I’m not sure when it started, I have never been happy with the way I look, I’ve never been happy with the way my face looks, the fact that when I smile too large you can see my gums.
Maybe it started around year 6, when, for a project regarding advertising, we videoed a make-over and then sped it up. The make-over was of me, done by the two other girls in my group. We showed it to the class, and I distinctly remember a boy remark, “She’s still just as ugly”, I remember that moment pretty clearly, it wasn’t like the video was something that everyone was made to sit down for, it was actually being used for the big final project, but the teacher felt it would be nice to have it playing in the background of our working.
My self-consciousness got a lot worse in year seven, I didn’t have many friends, and there was an influx of new kids, most of whom were the sporty, skinny, pretty sorts of girls. In my eyes, I was none of that.
I’m not really sure where I am going with this, just trying to explain the reason behind my self-consciousness, maybe.
Anyway, there were also a lot of girls with, basically, large busts. And I have never really had big breasts, I was terribly self-conscious in that aspect, I’m over it now, I thought that guys would only ever like girls with large busts, I realise now that is utter bullcrap, and I really don’t mind so much about my bust anymore. I just find it funny how I was so fixated on the fact that my bust size was such a massive problem.
And look at me, spilling on the internet, probably not a good idea

At 10 when the other girls started bullying me.

Around second grade when I started getting picked on at school.

When my first proper girlfriend said that I was hung like a donkey, I felt like an ass

To be honest, I only became self-conscious about 3 years ago. Before that my self image was mostly formed from other’s opinion. Somehow I was surrounded by negative people. They kept telling me things about myself, things that were so negative but were “the truth” according to them. The fact that I had zero self esteem didn’t help either. In my mind I was a wreched person who was in need of serious help. I tried to “improved” myself with the “instructions”, only to be bombarded with even more negative “feedback”. I could never be the normal person those people wanted, not even close.

I thought I was self conscious. But actually I was just validating myself through other people. I didn’t even know who I was.

Then 3 years ago, I just realized my true self. I guess I just grew up, but I suddenly got the ability to evaluate myself. I embraced both my strength and weakness and stuck to them, because they were the real me. I learned to take people’s advice and not let them form my identity. If there was anything I had learned, it would be that I need to accept myself for who I am instead of constantly seeking validation from anyone. At the end of the day I am the ultimate person who has the power on my life.

At about 12 when I started developing and getting comments and looks and stares.

It started when I was about 4 years old and started nursery school.

As a pre-teen, maybe 5th or 6th grade. I was self conscious because I had freckles but they faded away by my late teens. Now, in my 50’s I have reached that wonderful state of bliss where I don’t give a shit about what others think and am very secure within myself,
Of course we all like to be liked but I don’t need anyones praise or approval to feel good about who I am.

At the appropriate time.