--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a child, I was never drawn toward…" description: "\"As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme situations; I really wanted a normal little childhood. Unfortunately, that's just not what hap..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/augusten-burroughs-603_childhood_as-a-child-i-was-never-drawn-toward-depr_215825.png" --- # As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme… ![“As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme situations; I really wanted a normal little childhood. Unfortunately, that's just not what happened.” quote by Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/augusten-burroughs-603_childhood_as-a-child-i-was-never-drawn-toward-depr_215825.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/augusten-burroughs-603_childhood_as-a-child-i-was-never-drawn-toward-depr_215825.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/augusten-burroughs-603_childhood_as-a-child-i-was-never-drawn-toward-depr_215825.png) > “As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme situations; I really wanted a normal little childhood. Unfortunately, that's just not what happened.” [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Childhood expectations of normalcy can be shattered by harsh realities, leading to disillusionment. **In simple terms:** Normal childhood may not happen. Key Takeaway Accept reality and adapt. Themes family expectations disillusionment Mood reflective somber Type personal emotional When to use this quote - family dynamics - school life - social pressures - mental health challenges Key Concepts psychological trauma resilience Questions to Reflect On - What expectations shaped your early years? - How can you rebuild a sense of normalcy? A Different Perspective Idealizing the past can hinder coping with present difficulties. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Childhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Extremes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremes/) [Racist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racist/) ## Related quotes > [There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/there-are-a-lot-of-children-in-afghanistan-but-little-childhood/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [“But in the end, black can never be white, one plus one must always equal two, and Mara Lynn was a normal little girl.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-vander-ark/but-in-the-end-black-can-never-be-white-one-plus-one-must-always/) [Jake Vander Ark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-vander-ark/) > [It's always fun to play someone who is a little off. Normal is a little boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-benanti/it-s-always-fun-to-play-someone-who-is-a-little-off-normal-is-a/) [Laura Benanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-benanti/) > [I never had any childhood, for the word means sunshine and freedom from care. I had a starved and pinched little childhood, as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-leslie/i-never-had-any-childhood-for-the-word-means-sunshine-and-freedom/) Frank Leslie > [“My whole life I wanted to be normal. Everybody knows there's no such thing as normal. There is no black-and-white definition of normal. Normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-spelling/my-whole-life-i-wanted-to-be-normal-everybody-knows-there-s-no-such/) [Tori Spelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-spelling/) > [You just wanted to be normal. It wasn't even being beautiful. I just wanted to be smooth and thin and have, and you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/you-just-wanted-to-be-normal-it-wasn-t-even-being-beautiful-i-just/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) > [“was enough to understand what Marcel wanted... On a normal day he would sit at the table,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristiane-correa/was-enough-to-understand-what-marcel-wanted-on-a-normal-day-he-would/) Cristiane Correa > [When I was very little, I probably wanted to be more normal. I probably wanted the Laura Ashley bedroom, and instead I got thrift-store…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/when-i-was-very-little-i-probably-wanted-to-be-more-normal-i-probably/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [All I've ever wanted is to be normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-winter/all-i-ve-ever-wanted-is-to-be-normal/) [Ariel Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-winter/) > [I've always wanted a normal life, and this is what I got. Being an actress wasn't a plan at all, so what's happened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabourey-sidibe/i-ve-always-wanted-a-normal-life-and-this-is-what-i-got-being-an/) [Gabourey Sidibe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabourey-sidibe/) > [“A sharp pain tugged in my chest. I wanted this all to go away. I wanted Nicco to be normal. I wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alys-arden/a-sharp-pain-tugged-in-my-chest-i-wanted-this-all-to-go-away-i-wanted/) [Alys Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alys-arden/) > [I just wanted to be normal. I wanted to have a normal life. I wanted to have children. And when I was picked out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldie-hawn/i-just-wanted-to-be-normal-i-wanted-to-have-a-normal-life-i-wanted-to/) [Goldie Hawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldie-hawn/) > [“Normal. She wanted normal and so did I. "You know what's normal?" "What?" She wiped away her remaining tears. "Calculus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/normal-she-wanted-normal-and-so-did-i-you-know-what-s-normal-what-she/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [I wanted to have a normal childhood. Normal relationships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-rettig/i-wanted-to-have-a-normal-childhood-normal-relationships/) [Tommy Rettig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-rettig/) > [I always wanted to be normal. I tried really hard, but it's like I try so hard and then people still say I'm offbeat.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/i-always-wanted-to-be-normal-i-tried-really-hard-but-it-s-like-i-try/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) ## More by Augusten Burroughs > [There is nothing about myself that I wouldn't reveal or write about. I don't care how horrendous or ridiculous I may appear in person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/there-is-nothing-about-myself-that-i-wouldn-t-reveal-or-write-about-i/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“We were alone together, we were an us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/we-were-alone-together-we-were-an-us/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Like every child, I adored her. Until I formed a brain and got to know her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/like-every-child-i-adored-her-until-i-formed-a-brain-and-got-to-know/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“You must hang onto the scraps of the bucking moment as if your sanity and life depended on it - because actually they do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/you-must-hang-onto-the-scraps-of-the-bucking-moment-as-if-your-sanity/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Real optimism is not the pep talk you give yourself. It is earned through the labor involved in emotional housekeeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/real-optimism-is-not-the-pep-talk-you-give-yourself-it-is-earned/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [If you hate your life, you haven't' seen enough of it. If you hate your life, it's because your life is too small and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/if-you-hate-your-life-you-haven-t-seen-enough-of-it-if-you-hate-your/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I think writers tend to be experience junkies, and I think they also tend to want to be on the outside looking in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-think-writers-tend-to-be-experience-junkies-and-i-think-they-also/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I think part of the reason I'm attracted to Foster is because he's such a mess. I mean, the people I have loved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-think-part-of-the-reason-i-m-attracted-to-foster-is-because-he-s/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“On typical days, (dust) is simply irritating. On Roid Rage days, it made me want to stomp down to the highway, pull drivers out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/on-typical-days-dust-is-simply-irritating-on-roid-rage-days-it-made/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I'm like the guy who prepares your taxes or a dentist. I'm very conservative and boring in a lot of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-m-like-the-guy-who-prepares-your-taxes-or-a-dentist-i-m-very/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“Nothing surprises me now," I tell him. I am stoic. I am Joan of Arc, with liver damage and an unused penis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/nothing-surprises-me-now-i-tell-him-i-am-stoic-i-am-joan-of-arc-with/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“It's not that I was an outright nitwit of a child.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/it-s-not-that-i-was-an-outright-nitwit-of-a-child/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [What I really want is to sit next to someone under an L.L. bean blanket on the beach in the fall and drink coffee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/what-i-really-want-is-to-sit-next-to-someone-under-an-l-l-bean/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“My worth depended on where exactly the decimal was placed among the zeroes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/my-worth-depended-on-where-exactly-the-decimal-was-placed-among-the/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“Bookman isn't a stable man. He has a lot of problems that run very, very deep." But he was really good at giving head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/bookman-isn-t-a-stable-man-he-has-a-lot-of-problems-that-run-very/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) [Explore all 448 Augusten Burroughs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) ## More Childhood quotes > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [“From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were—I have not seen As others saw—I could not bring My passions from a common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/from-childhood-s-hour-i-have-not-been-as-others-were-i-have-not-seen/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [I had a rough upbringing. Group homes. Foster homes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-shamrock/i-had-a-rough-upbringing-group-homes-foster-homes/) [Frank Shamrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-shamrock/) > [When I talk about my childhood I used to say it as if it was scripted and I'd make jokes because it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-katona/when-i-talk-about-my-childhood-i-used-to-say-it-as-if-it-was-scripted/) [Kerry Katona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-katona/) > [Every man remembers his childhood as a kind of mythical age, just as every nation's childhood is its mythical age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-leopardi/every-man-remembers-his-childhood-as-a-kind-of-mythical-age-just-as/) [Giacomo Leopardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-leopardi/) > [It's a very familiar type of place where people either go to their house on the lake or they get together in different places.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-carell/it-s-a-very-familiar-type-of-place-where-people-either-go-to-their/) [Steve Carell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-carell/) > [Ideal for the child and society in the best of times, Rudolf Steiner's brilliant process of education is critically needed and profoundly relevant now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-chilton-pearce/ideal-for-the-child-and-society-in-the-best-of-times-rudolf-steiner-s/) [Joseph Chilton Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-chilton-pearce/) > [Downstairs in my house, I have a museum room. I keep all of my awards down there, and childhood photos, and even all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-kelly/downstairs-in-my-house-i-have-a-museum-room-i-keep-all-of-my-awards/) [R. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-kelly/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [On paper, it looks rough, but I had a great childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-morton/on-paper-it-looks-rough-but-i-had-a-great-childhood/) [Samantha Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-morton/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I always knew that I was kind of bored; the regular life of a child didn't fit me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-ricci/i-always-knew-that-i-was-kind-of-bored-the-regular-life-of-a-child/) [Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-ricci/) > [Children are not a zoo of entertainingly exotic creatures, but an array of mirrors in which the human predicament leaps out at us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/children-are-not-a-zoo-of-entertainingly-exotic-creatures-but-an/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [I'm not sure I would have ever started to draw, let alone write, if my childhood hadn't been so happy. It was a mixture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tove-jansson/i-m-not-sure-i-would-have-ever-started-to-draw-let-alone-write-if-my/) [Tove Jansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tove-jansson/) [Browse all 5,837 Childhood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme situations; I really wanted a normal little childhood. 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