Losing your innocence is just a side effect of growing up. There’s no one certain thing that causes it. It doesn’t automatically go away when you turn 13 or when you lose your virginity or when you get dumped for the first time. It all varies from person to person, from age to age, from experience to experience. And it fades out slowly.
When I was around 11 years old I asked my mom why everyone had cancer all of a sudden. She told me cancer has always been around, I was just realizing it now.
That’s a very specific moment when I can remember something changing inside of my brain.
Looking back now, can you really pinpoint the moment you stopped being naive and started getting real? Probably not. You have to reach the point in your life when you look back and realize you’ve changed. Because change isn’t something you see until you’re so different you don’t recognize yourself anymore. Your old memories barely belong to you.
I’m not the girl that was kissed on the forehead on my front porch. Nor am I the girl who loved someone very intensely for more than three years. I’m not the girl who became heartless and cold towards the people who tried to love her in order to regain strength. I lost bits and pieces of innocence with each of those experiences and the experiences in between.
It’s not bad to change, it’s not bad to grow and recognize what real life is now. But hold on to the little pieces of innocence you have tucked away in your subconscious. They’re what keep you sane, what keep you looking at some things with rose colored glasses, they’re what keep you warm when things are unbearably cold.
You might have lost most of your innocence, but you’re still yourself. Just different.
Rosie Culture 
I guess I know what you mean and I can definitely pinpoint the moment – I was six years old and within a month my beloved aunt died, my parents told me about the divorce and a relative of mine did things to me…well let’s just say I didn’t like them. In that month I kind of grew up. It was different to what it was before and it happened way too early. But innocence was definitely gone from my way of thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s crazy to look back and pinpoint all of those moments, especially for you when you had to change at such a young age. Thank you for sharing ❤
LikeLike
It is but I loved your thoughts on it – I always knew I changed at that age but I couldn’t really find the words for it. What you write about losing one’s innocence perfectly says what I felt so thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it and could relate 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing my post 🙂
LikeLike
You have such a thought provoking and relatable blog. We would love to feature some of your work on our website:) Can you please send me your email address?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! You can email me at rosiekelly531@gmail.com
LikeLike
You are Awesome: https://wordsandnotion.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/the-epic-awesomeness-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you sooo much! I will do this ASAP 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. ..also you are really awesome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha aw thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome post! You really are great! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on GUM: Growing Up Millennial.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for the reblog 🙂
LikeLike
No problem! Great post. It’s a topic that is relatable for everyone at some point in their life.
LikeLiked by 1 person