When I was doing 'Smile,' I was looking back at pictures of myself and going, 'Thank goodness I couldn't do the sprayed-bangs thing! Everybody's so embarrassed by that hairstyle now, but I was never cool enough to pull it off!'

In this quote, Raina Telgemeier reflects on her own experience with style and self-image, specifically when she was working on her graphic novel 'Smile.' She looks back at old pictures of herself and expresses gratitude that she never succumbed to the sprayed-bangs hairstyle, which was once a trend that many people now find embarrassing. Telgemeier humorously acknowledges that she was never "cool enough" to pull off such a style, but in doing so, she expresses a sense of relief that she avoided following a trend that has since become outdated.

Telgemeier’s words suggest a deeper reflection on identity and fashion, and how trends often carry a sense of regret once they fall out of favor. She highlights how styles, once considered fashionable, can later be seen as embarrassing or cringeworthy, and she embraces the idea that not everyone needs to follow every trend in order to fit in. Her comment reveals a personal sense of comfort in her own style choices, as well as a humorous take on the fleeting nature of what is considered "cool."

By saying, "Thank goodness I couldn't do the sprayed-bangs thing," Telgemeier shows that, for her, not participating in that particular trend was a blessing in disguise. It speaks to a sense of self-acceptance—understanding that there are things in life, especially in appearance, that might have been embarrassing in hindsight. Rather than trying to conform, she can look back and appreciate that her natural self-expression may have helped her avoid those moments of regret.

The origin of this quote comes from Telgemeier’s reflections on her personal experiences during the creation of her graphic novel 'Smile.' Known for writing stories that blend humor and nostalgia, she often taps into her own life experiences, especially the awkward and relatable moments of adolescence. This quote reflects Telgemeier’s ability to look back on her youth with humor and perspective, making light of the trends that many people from her generation once embraced.