How to Be Perfectly Innocent

Co-authored by Seth Hall

Last Updated: October 17, 2024

Whether you're trying to change your image, attract that special someone, or impress your parents and teachers, this article will show you how to look and act perfectly innocent. You can even learn how to change your mindset entirely and become a girl that everyone will respect and admire! Just get started with Step 1 below.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Acting Innocent

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Never use inappropriate language (swear words, rude words). Avoid rude topics, like discussing bodily functions. You should also replace words in your vocabulary with their innocent alternatives (God with gosh, Hell with h-e-double-hockey-sticks or heck, damn with darn, etc). Avoid shouting or raising your voice too.^{[1]
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Avoid adult practices. Instead, you should cherish your youth.
- Never smoke, drink, or hang out at night. The first two are dangerous to your health anyway.
- Don't watch TV shows with adult themes, like violence, drugs, or sex. To help you, resist the temptation to have a TV in your bedroom, and instead, ask your parents to guide you with your viewing.
- There is a whole lot of stuff online which is totally inappropriate for you. Ask your parents to install parental control software on your phone and PC - this will let them block things you shouldn't see. Don't feel that you're missing out or its somehow babyish asking for this - it's a great way of protecting your innocence.^{[2]
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Innocent people don't like to fight with others, so never get into a fight if you can help it. If you do have a problem with someone, get help from an adult or a superior, like a parent, teacher, or boss. Certainly avoid using serious insults with someone. Using childish, harmless insults can make you look more innocent, however (think stinky-pants, butt-face, etc).
Innocent people are usually very kind and sweet, so do your best to act that way. Ask people about their day and things that you know are important to them. Compliment people frequently and honestly. Help out with anything you can. And importantly: always be polite!
A good work ethic is also associated with innocent people, so make school, work, or charities your priority. Try to aim for being the best, getting straight A's or making your boss really happy. Help out at your local church or religious institution, or choose another charity to help out, like Girl Scouts or Amnesty International.
If you are old enough to be interested in relationships with another person, try to be chaste in how you interact with them. When you flirt, be subtle and shy. Compliment them politely. Never try to be sexy. Let them do the romancing. Just realize that this makes getting their attention a lot harder!
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React innocently. When people say something bad or do something bad, react with surprise. Innocent people don't realize that people do bad things, so you should be more surprised than angry. You can even seem a little upset. Averting your eyes or covering your ears can also add some innocence to your attitude.
- Having a strong opinion on complex issues, however, is not very innocent! Avoid lecturing!

Part 2

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Getting an Innocent Mindset

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Little kids are truly innocent. Spend time with them and interact with them to see how they act. Try to be more like them. You can babysit or volunteer for your church's daycare. If you have young family members, you can try to spend more time with them too. If you're good academically, you can volunteer as a tutor at a local elementary school.
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Control your thoughts. Try not to think about adult subjects. If you start to think about someone physically, refocus onto something else. If you start to think mean or violent thoughts, refocus onto something else.
- There are lots of ways to refocus, but you can try saying prayers or reciting verse inside your head. You can also start singing your favorite Disney song inside your head. If you need to, simply leave the area you are in or the activity you are doing to help your brain refocus.
Enjoy the things that innocent people enjoy. Children's media and activities are a great place to start. You can watch kid's TV shows like My Little Pony, movies like VeggieTales or Disney films, or activities like board games or crafts.
Innocent girls don't stay up late, especially on school/college nights. It can be hard to resist though, without a set bedtime rule. Discuss with your parents and let them fix a bedtime for you; between 9:00pm and 10:00pm on school nights, is good. Having an early bedtime isn't just good for you, it will make you feel super innocent and cute.
You tend to pick up the behaviors of the people around you, so surround yourself with good people. Ditch rude, inappropriate friends and keep friends who are also innocent or are at least good and polite. Don't worry if you find that you are happier with younger friends - it's perfectly OK.
These seem as the most common personality traits of innocent people, so try to stay optimistic and positive. Don't whine or complain when things don't go your way, and when you see other people having a tough time, try to help them see the bright side. Let Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" be your theme song!

Part 3

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Looking Innocent

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Dress in a way that is appropriate for someone of an "innocent" age. Wear clothing that is conservative and looks nice. Knees and shoulders should be covered and necklines should not be too low. You can also choose younger hairstyles, like two braids for girls, or slicked-back hair for boys.^{[3]
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Try to get that "Sunday best" look, or a look that is appropriate for church or visiting with your grandparents. Boys can wear pressed pants and a polo, while girls can wear knee-length dresses or skirts and a blouse. Mary Janes (the shoe) for girls or any formal shoe for boys can also drive home the innocent look.
You want to avoid the "in fashion" colors, jewel tones, and "sexy" colors like red and black. Instead, choose colors that are common in children's clothes, like pastels and some bright colors like yellow, pink, and blue. Very clean, white clothing can also look very innocent.
Makeup can quickly make you look very adult or sexy, so women should avoid it. If you do need to wear makeup, go for the "natural" look, with just a little pink lipstick, basic foundation, and minimal eye makeup (maybe light mascara and little more).^{[4]
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Strong scents create a very adult appearance, so avoid cologne and perfume. If you do need to have some kind of scent, try to mimic the smell of laundry or baby (talc) powder. Girls may be able to get away with a light, floral smell.
To help get that fresh-from-church look, make sure your hair is very carefully kept. Get regular haircuts and keep your hair in a tidy hairstyle, such as braids or slicked back. Avoid popular hairstyles.
You can get an innocent look by being careful about how you use your eyes. As they say, eyes are the window into the soul. Look away when you see or hear something inappropriate. Look up at people through your eyelashes. You should also look away when people you don't know make eye contact with you, or when someone you like looks at you.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I be more open while being innocent?

Kim Chronister, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Kim Chronister is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She specializes in helping people struggling with substance abuse, relationship problems, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Dr. Chronister has contributed to and appeared on Access Hollywood, Investigation Discovery, and NBC News. She is the author of “Peak Mindset” and “FitMentality.” She holds an MA in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from Alliant International University.

Kim Chronister, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

So, the first thing you want to do is work on your body language. Stand tall, keep your head up, and give a big smile. That'll make you look really friendly and confident. Then, imagine yourself walking up to someone, smiling, and feeling good about it. This mental practice will help you feel more open and relaxed. Finally, set some goals for yourself. Start with small, easy things, like introducing yourself to one person. Then, gradually work your way up to bigger challenges, like joining a group conversation.

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How can I have high-quality and long-lasting friends?

Seth Hall
Life Coach
Seth T. Hall (ICF ACC, CLC, and MNLP) is a Certified Life Coach and Founder of Transformational Solutions, a Los Angeles-based life-coaching company that helps people achieve their toughest goals, find their own voice, and think outside the box. He has been a life coach for over 10 years, specializing in personal development, relationships, career and finance, and wellness. He has helped his clients break the negative cycles in their lives and replace them with a positive, proactive mindset. Seth believes that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and rewarding life, and works passionately to help them reach their full potential. With a deep understanding of how our minds work and the power of positive thinking, he encourages his clients to find their unique paths in life and find success on their own terms. He is a certified master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a featured co-author for WikiHow, and co-author of "The Mountain Method”, “The Happy Tiger”, and “The V.I.S.I.O.N.S. Program”.

Seth Hall

Life Coach

Expert Answer

You can build strong and lasting friendships by actively working on them. This means staying in touch with your friends, having fun together, and creating shared experiences. Regular communication is essential for maintaining friendships. Just like plants need water, friendships require attention and care to grow. Take the initiative to reach out to your friends and choose friends that genuinely cares about you and share your values.

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Tips

If you are religious, then use this guide to become closer to your religion and follow its rules. If you are not, then simply be tolerant.

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Remember, being innocent doesn't mean being a doormat. Stand up for yourself and others!

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Always smile when you see a beautiful or childish place. Laugh always when somebody else laughs.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

When supporting someone who is struggling, gently acknowledge their pain. Processing emotions takes time, and sometimes venting anger or grief through healthy outlets brings more relief than unwanted advice.
Mix in casually bright pieces when dressing to look innocent. Pastels gently catch the eye. Pair a pale yellow cardigan with a sky blue dress, or a rose headband with a cream jumper. Have fun with color!
Avoid overdoing an innocent persona to the point it feels staged. This will ring hollow. Instead, focus on simple joys and act from the heart. Sincerity has a beauty that artifice lacks.
Subtly enhance natural features with minimal makeup in soft, feminine tones. Heavy makeup looks less innocent, but a touch of mascara and lip balm plays up youthful glow beautifully.
Speak openly using kind language. Lend a hand to those needing comfort. Spread encouragement through thoughtful words and actions, not judgment. This builds community.
Respond to teasing with surprise, not aggression. Your steady light can model maturity for petty aggressors.

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Warnings

If you are innocent, people will try to take advantage of you in any way possible. Guard against this.^{[5]
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