I learned that if I wanted to be better at a skill, there were things at which I had to work.
Identity v. Role Confusion
Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, Identity v. Role Confusion, is one I remember very clearly. As a typical teenager, I struggled to "find myself." There were so many identities out there to choose from, and it seemed like what was "cool" changed from week-to-week. Peer pressure also factored into what I thought was the type of person I should be. I'm sure my parents were worried about my ever-changing modes of dress, hairstyles, even the music I was listening to throughout my teenage years. However, eventually, I developed a sense of who I was (which was nothing like the stereotypes of people I and my friends had been trying to be) and this personal identity seems to have brought a sense of balance in my life. Knowing who I am has helped with the next stage of development on Erikson's list.
Intimacy v. Isolation
Erikson's Intimacy v. Isolation stage is the stage I'm just entering into now, in my life. As a twenty-year-old college student, dating is becoming increasingly important. I've started to think about with who I'd like to spend the rest of my life -- what type of person I think would be best-suited to my personality and my needs. Developing these intimate relationships are a critical factor for this stage of psychosocial development. Each successful one helps build an experience base that allows the next one to be even stronger. Of course, I've also experienced the failure of these types of relationships and the associated isolation and loneliness that comes with this failure. However, I try to learn from the mistakes I've encountered and not repeat them in future relationships.
Generativity v. Stagnation
In Erikson's second to last stage of psychosocial...
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