Running head: ERIKSON RESEARCH AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Erikson Research Autobiography

Michelle Prater
Ivy Tech Community College

ERIKSON RESEARCH AUTOBIOGRAPHY

TRUST VS. MISTRUST

McLeod (2013) introduces this first stage of Eriksons developmental theory by stating,
During this stage the infant is uncertain about the world in which they live. To resolve these
feelings of uncertainty, the infant looks towards their primary caregiver for stability and
consistency of care. This stage of development takes place from birth to approximately 18
months of age. On the trust side of the conflict/resolution McLeod (2013) infers that if an infant
receives consistent, loving care a child will develop a sense of trust which may ultimately affect
subsequent relationships in the childs life. On the converse side of the equation, McLeod (2013)
relates that if a child is treated harshly or negligibly the child will develop as sense of mistrust
which will likely transfer to subsequent relationships.
I was born in Muncie, Indiana on May 22, 1970. I was the first born of my parents, and
the first born grandchild on both sides of the family. My mom was twenty years old, and greatly
desired to have children. My father was a wounded Vietnam veteran who married my mom
shortly after being released from the VA hospital where they met. My mom was very devoted
and nurturing; motherhood came very naturally to her.
I bonded very closely and naturally to my mother. My mom nursed me and always
rocked me to sleep before placing me in my own crib to sleep. My mom has related that I was a
very good natured baby and naturally fell into a good schedule of feeding, sleeping, and playing.
At times I would experience a little colic. There was not much available for treatment at that
time. My mom would hold me snuggly against her belly where I was the most comfortable until
I was calm. Through this stage in my life, I was always in my moms care. Wherever she went,
she took me with her. My dad was also a loving and consistent part of my life during this stage.

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My needs were consistently and quickly met. I was also raised with a dog as a guardian
of sorts. My dog would sleep under my crib. My mom related to me that as soon as I would
whimper, the dog would go find her and tug on her pants or nudge her to get her attention.
Whenever there was anybody besides my parents in the home, my dog would always stay near
me and place herself between myself and the other person.
I was also socialized from the very beginning. I had many visits with grandparents,
aunts, and uncles. Being the firstborn, I was really doted on. One of my moms greatest fears
was that my grandmother would insist on keeping me confined during the first weeks of my life.
When I was exactly one week old, my parents took me camping with them. This was before
there was a lot of baby equipment available, so I was carried and napped in an apple box. My
mom did this when my brother was an infant as well, so at the campgrounds we were known as
the apple box babies. This began my love for the outdoors. I was a very social baby, I was
drawn to people and was not afraid of anybody or anything. I was naturally curious and
adventurous, and was not restricted as long as I remained in safe parameters.
Because I was lovingly and consistently cared for during this early stage in my life, I
developed a deep sense of trust. Also, because I was socialized immediately and exposed to a
variety of people and environments, I felt very secure wherever I was. I developed a natural love
of people, animals, and the outdoors. I was also not afraid to explore my environment.
AUTONOMY VS. SHAME AND DOUBT
The second stage of Eriksons theory of development comes into play from about
eighteen months of age to age three. McLeod (2013) explains that during this stage children are
developing new physical abilities and are more mobile. During this time children start venturing

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away from their caregivers and test their boundaries.

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Children are learning that they can do

some things for themselves like feeding and dressing. Also during this time children generally
go through toilet training. McLeod (2013) advises that during this time it is important for
parents to encourage children to test out what they can do while ensuring a safe environment.
McLeod (2013) also cautions that if parents do not allow children to try things for themselves, or
are critical of their childs efforts, the child may develop a sense of shame and doubt.
I have interviewed my mom to gain some insight into how I was as a toddler. She has
related to me that I was pretty independent and adventurous. I was not restricted in my
explorations unless I was heading into a dangerous situation. My mom said I always enjoyed
trying to help with chores and to do things for myself. I actually do have some early memories
from this time in my life. I can remember sitting in my high chair and feeding myself cereal. I
also remember one day going into a small storage room that was attached to the kitchen. I
climbed up on the diaper pail to reach a bag of dried dates. I am sure this was a real treat for me.
Unfortunately, I stepped back off of the pail wrong and caught my toenail on the rim. It was
quite painful which is probably why I remember this instance. I doubt this stopped me from
trying again later.
My mom said that toilet training was really not a problem for me. I turned two in May
and I was potty trained during that summer. My mom used cloth diapers for me. This was
before there were pull-ups and my mom just had me run around in underwear at home. My mom
said the only problem I had was that I loved to play outside so much that I did not want to come
back in to use the bathroom.
I would often try to help my mom with chores. I liked to use a broom and help with
dishes. I also had a play vacuum cleaner. When my mom vacuumed the house I would get my

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vacuum out and help her. I also learned pretty quickly how to dress myself and enjoyed
picking out my own cloths. My mom would at times have me change my clothes during the day.
She said I had the dirtiest clothes of the kids in the neighborhood because I played the hardest.
She was not afraid to let me get dirty and have fun exploring my environment.
When I was almost two, my brother was born. He is the only sibling I have. My mom
said I loved my brother very much and enjoyed helping take care of him. I would bring my mom
diapers for him, and I would bring my brother toys. During this time the children in my
neighborhood were older than me. I probably enjoyed trying to do the things the older kids did.
My mom said I was always very creative in my play. We did not have a lot of toys during this
time. I always liked finding things to play with, especially outdoors. I even remember picking
up a multi-colored king snake which had been sunning himself on our back patio. My mom
thought it was a rubber snake until she realized it was moving. I am not sure what happened
next, but to this day I am not afraid of snakes. Spiders on the other hand are another story. I
may have inherited that fear from my mom.
My toddler years can be defined by an ever developing sense of independence and
adventure. I really enjoyed trying to do things for myself and to help with household chores. I
was not afraid to explore my environment. At the same time, my mom did set boundaries for
me, and I really did not try to defy them. I was also perceived as a little mature for my age. I
felt pretty self-assured during these years and did not exhibit a sense of shame or self-doubt.
INITIATIVE VS. GUILT
The third stage in Eriksons theory of development takes place between
approximately from three to five years of age. McLeod (2013) describes this stage as a time

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when children are increasingly asserting themselves. Children learn how to interact with each
other and will often take on a role of leadership with their peers. Children will often take the
initiative to establish games and rules of play. McLeod (2013) states, children develop a
sense of initiative, and feel secure in their ability to lead others and make decisions. This time
in a childs life is filled with natural energy. On the other hand, McLeod (2013) believes that
some parents may try to curtail their childrens natural behavior. If a child is criticized or
punished unnecessarily the child may develop a sense of guilt.
When I was three we moved to a new neighborhood. This is the home I remember most
in my childhood. The house is no longer in my family, but I still feel very strong ties to it as my
childhood home. The house sat on two and a half acers. It was partly wooded and was bordered
by the White River. This property seemed huge to us as children. We always had kids in the
neighborhood come over to play. We had large open places to run and play games in. We had
trees to climb, and lots of nature to explore. I was pretty free to play throughout the small
neighborhood, as long as my mom knew where I was. I was never out of calling distance. My
dad had also made a large triangular dinner bell, whenever my mom wanted me to check in,
she would ring the bell.
Again, besides my younger brother, most of the kids in the neighborhood were a bit older
than me. Most of them were in school, and I remember I could not wait to go to school too. My
mom said I had a lot of creativity and would always make up games to play with my friends. I
would make up outdoor games to play. I also enjoyed dramatic play like playing school, or store,
or make-believe adventures. Most of the kids in the neighborhood were boys, but I played just
as hard as the boys did. I did not play with dolls much, but I remember I had a couple of stuffed

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animals I really loved. Mostly though, I enjoyed playing outdoors no matter what the weather
was like.
I usually had other children to play with, but I also enjoyed being alone sometimes. We
had a huge evergreen tree in our yard that was over two stories tall. The branches reached to the
ground and when you walked in, nobody could see you. I called it my hideout tree. I had a
couple favorite branches to sit on, and I enjoyed climbing as high as I could. I also enjoyed the
company of adults. I would visit elderly neighbors, talk to them, and take interest in their
activities.
I remember a period of time when I was in a daycare. I did not like being there very
much. We were inside a lot, and had to take two hour naps. I could never sleep and was
completely bored. I could not wait to go to school because I was told you did not have to take
naps. Finally, I started half day Kindergarten and was very disappointed to learn I still had to
take naps. My mom never made me take naps at home. I did enjoy Kindergarten though. I
enjoyed playing with the other kids, and recess. I was also a highly affectionate child. I actually
got in trouble for hugging the other children too much.
Most of this part of my childhood was fun and carefree, especially when I was outside or
with friends. There was a negative aspect of my home life however. My dad was a disabled
Vietnam veteran who served in the Marines. My dad suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder and severe alcoholism. My father was not physically abusive, but we had to be very
careful how to act around him. He would get angry at any little thing, or nothing at all. I
remember feeling very bad if I felt I had done something to make him angry. I also learned to
avoid being around him if there was a storm. I distinctly remember a couple times when
lightning struck close to the house that he grabbed me, and throw me to the floor. I understood

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later that he was instinctively trying to protect me because of the PTSD, but as a young girl, I did
not know what was going on. There were times my mom would have my brother and I play
upstairs or go outside to avoid upsetting my dad. During this stage in my life I mostly had a
sense of initiative and self-assuredness. There was however times of insecurity and guilt
associated with my dad. As an adult, I tend to be a people pleaser and peacemaker. I also feel
very badly if I feel I have disappointed someone. I believe these feeling are rooted in these
childhood experiences.
INDUSTRY VS. INFERIORITY
The fourth stage of Eriksons developmental theory takes place between five through
twelve years of age. This is marked by the time when children begin school through the
elementary grades. Children are now being assessed by their teachers on a number of skills.
Children may also feel the need to win the approval of their peers. McLeod (2013) states, If
children are encouraged and reinforced for their initiative, they begin to feel industrious and feel
confident in their ability to achieve goals. However, if children are not encouraged by their
parents or teachers, the child begins to feel inferior, doubting his own abilities and therefore
may not reach his or her potential.
I spent my Kindergarten through third grade years at our small town public elementary
school. It did take a little adjusting being in school for a full day, but mostly I enjoyed it. I
really enjoyed learning to read. I remember looking forward to library day each week so I could
choose books for myself. One of the earlies books I remember reading by myself was, Put Me in
the Zoo by Robert Lopshire. I really enjoyed Dr. Seuss, and Amelia Bedelia books. I also
remember some non-fiction books we had at home that I enjoyed looking through. I believe I
was a pretty confident reader, and I even enjoyed reading out loud when called on in class.

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Art class was another favorite part of my school day. I enjoyed getting to use a variety of
art materials. Using markers and paints was a real treat for me. It really made me feel good to
see my artwork displayed in school. At home I would use paper and pencil to make detailed still
life drawings of objects.
I do not remember a lot about my general schoolwork in the first and second grades. I do
remember that my first grade teacher took me in the hallway one day and threatened me with a
paddle because I would not stop doodling on my worksheets. I know I completed my
worksheets, but she apparently did not appreciate my decorations.
It was during my third grade year that I began to have some trouble with my school life.
I do not remember if I had specific problems with my school work. I remember I had a lot of
reading to do, but I do not think I struggled with it. I remember practicing spelling words and
multiplication facts. In third grade, we also began learning how to write in cursive. I enjoyed
getting to use the chalk board to practice my letters. My teacher was not very impressed with my
writing however. She sent me home with a plastic tablet with cursive letter form engraved in it.
I would use my pencil the trace the grooves in the tablet.
I do remember having a tremendous amount of homework to do in the third grade. My
mom always allowed me some free time to play when I got home from school. However I
remember spending a lot of time on my homework. Unfortunately I often did not complete all of
my homework. As punishment, I would lose my recess. I had to stay inside and work on my
homework. It was always myself and a few other delinquent boys. For some reason, I seemed
to be the only girl who could not get my homework finished. We were usually left unsupervised
in the classroom, while the other children were at recess. Often, we would not do our

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homework, but would play around or throw chalk board erasers at each other. I really began to
resent school that year.
Suring these early elementary years my dad was in and out of the home. But the end of
my third grade year, my parents completely separated. A friend of my moms provided a
scholarship for my brother and me to attend a private school. Their curriculum was more
accelerated than the public school. When I entered the private school, I had to repeat the third
grade. I did feel bad about this, but I really did enjoy the school. I do remember placing high in a
spelling bee and winning a prize. I remember my teacher making a personal visit to my home to
give me the prize.
Just before my fourth grade year my parents were divorced, and we had to move out of
my home. It was very difficult for me to leave my home. My mom did not want to fight for
anything, she just wanted to make sure we were with her. My mom received very little support
money in the beginning, and then nothing at all. My mom had a full time job, but really struggled
to meet our needs. My moms employer at the time paid for us to attend a different private
school. I did not like this school as well. It was very stringent. We had a strict dress code. The
principal had a military background and ran the school as such. We always had to use Yes Sir,
No Sir, or Maam when addressing staff. We also had to walk silently down the halls with our
hands behind our back. I did like my teacher though. I remember she read The Lion, the Witch,
and the Wardrobe to the class, and I really enjoyed it.
Just before my fifth grade year, we had an even bigger transition. My mom decided to
pack up everything we could in her old Rambler car and move to Florida. My mom had a sister
who lived in Florida and we lived stayed with her for a little while. My mom then found a small
furnished apartment to rent. This was another difficult adjustment for me. I was now very far

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away from my home and grandparents. Our fifth grade day was split between two teachers, and
two classrooms. I did seem to remember enjoying school for the most part. My biggest memory
form my fifth grade year was winning first place in an essay contest. The topic was about
Veterans Day. I was extremely nervous when I had to read my essay in front of a crowd at the
Blue Jays practice stadium. Military officers were present, and I received a signed certificate
from them.
This period in my life was marked by drastic transitions, and difficult situation.
Although I struggled with emotional issues, most of the time I enjoyed school. I struggled the
most academically and socially in my first third grade year. There were some instances when I
definitely felt inferior. I also had several other experiences which really helped to boost my
confidence. I had some teachers who were very caring and supportive of me. My mom also
played a big part in encouraging me.
IDENTITY VS. ROLL CONFUSION
The fifth stage of Eriksons psychosocial development generally occurs from about age
twelve through age eighteen. These years are considered the adolescent years, during which
developmental changes are occurring rapidly. Erikson relates that two types of identity are being
formed during these years: sexual, and occupational. Youth will need to discover what their role
as a man or a woman will entail. During this time, youth are also exploring career options.
McLeod (2013) states, During this period, they explore possibilities and begin to form their own
identity based upon the outcome of their explorations. Failure to establish a sense of identity
within society can lead to role confusion.

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Most of this stage in my own life was extremely turbulent. Shortly after I turned twelve,
we moved back from Florida. My brother and I spent a couple months during the summer with
my dad and his new wife. I enjoyed being back at my childhood home, but it really was not the
same. Before school started we moved into my grandmas house. I began sixth grade at a large
middle school. I was very uncomfortable in such a large setting.
My seventh grade year was horrible. We ended up moving a few times, and I went to
four different middle schools. My mom remarried during this year, and for a time I though my
life would be more normal. That marriage only lasted a couple months. I remember my mom
waking us up one morning. We packed up everything we could in her car and moved back into
my grandmas house for a short time. Later we moved in with another family. I was thirteen at
this time. There was an older teenager living in the house. Over a period of three months, I was
molested and tormented by this person. I never did tell my mom, because I was very afraid. I
began to emotionally withdraw from people. I also could eat very little because I was extremely
depressed and anxious. We moved again toward the end of my seventh grade year. As much as I
hated moving, I was glad to be out of that situation.
We moved to another town just before I started eighth grade. I did make one good friend
at this school. However, I ended up on the bad side of a gang at school. I was constantly
threatened, tormented, and pushed around by this whole group. Many in this group had already
spent time in a juvenile detention center. The situation became so intense that all of my teachers
and my bus driver were put on alert. However, nothing was done to the persons in the group,
and even the principle was intimidated by them. My mom ended up moving us again, just to get
me out of the situation. I am very grateful that she did.

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After finishing up my eighth grade year in the new town, it was now time to begin high
school. Because of all the transitions and trauma I faced during my middle school years, I was
having a hard time adjusting to high school. I had a hard time making friends. Actually, I really
did not try, but I always drew the attention of the wrong type of people. I really did not care
about my school work either. I really had very little sense of identity. I became extremely
depressed, and though I was not good for anything. I also came under an extreme amount of
peer pressure. Part of me wanted to be liked and accepted by others. Another part of me wanted
to isolate myself from others. Most of the time I really did not want to be involved with guys. I
had gone through sexual abuse, and many incidences of inappropriate attention. There were a
few guys I hung out with sometimes, but they really were not boyfriends. There was one guy I
considered a boyfriend until he acted like he did not know me when he was with his friends.
Thus, another episode of rejection.
Because of some of the events I went through, I was showing some symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. At this point in my life, I tried to find ways to cope with my distress.
Unfortunately, I did this in ways that were even more harmful to me. I began smoking cigarettes,
and drinking alcohol. Occasionally, I would also take some of my moms prescription pain
medications. I almost never used these substances socially. I would use them in isolation. I also
became very rebellious and emotionally volatile. I would sometimes put myself in dangerous
situations without realizing it. At one point my mom had me put on probation for incorrigibility.
Most of this stage in my life was filled with constant upheaval, abuse, rejection, and
emotional trauma. This lead to depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behaviors. I did not care
about anything during this time. I did not care about my schoolwork, and rarely thought about

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what kind of career I would like to pursue. I had very little sense of who I was and could not
think about the future. I would say I was defiantly experiencing major role confusion.
INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION
The sixth stage of Eriksons theory of development typically occurs between the ages 1840. This stage begins when a person transitions from the adolescent years into adulthood.
Typically the young adult has graduated from high school and either enrolls in college or enters
the workforce. This is also a time when many young people begin to explore more intimate and
long term relationships. McLeod (2013) states, Successful completion of this stage can lead to
comfortable relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a relationship.
Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and
sometimes depression."
I entered this stage in my life a little early than what is considered typical. Ironically, it
was not until I was transitioning to this stage that I began to reform a sense of identity. I turned
sixteen the summer before my sophomore year in high school. Toward the end of this summer I
had an encounter which turned my life around. I had a casual friend who lived next door to me.
She dragged me over to her house one day because she wanted me to meet her cousin. She was
always trying to set me up with someone. I went reluctantly but was thinking sarcastically, do
not do me any favors! So, when I met my friends cousin, I was not prepared for what
happened to me. Somehow I knew in the moment I met him that he was different. I intuitively
knew that this was the man I would spend the rest of my life with. I was now a believer that
there truly is such a thing as love at first sight. We fell in love immediately and eighteen days
later, we were secretly engaged.

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He was the first person that I ever truly shared my heart with, and he opened his heart up
to me as well. He was very caring and made me feel truly valued. I no longer felt isolated. I
now felt like I had something to live for, and began caring about myself. He was on leave from
the Marine Corps at the time. We only got to spend three weeks together before he had to go
back. He was stationed in Hawaii. I got to see him for a couple of weeks during the Christmas
season. A few months later he was deployed to Okinawa for six months. We truly had a long
distance romance. There were not as many forms of communication at that time. We wrote to
each other frequently, and a couple times a month we got to speech by phone. Neither one of
these forms of communication were very reliable.
As soon as he obtained leave after his deployment, he came home and we got married. I
had less than thirty days to plan my wedding. I was seventeen at the time and not half way
through my junior year in high school. We have now been married for twenty-eight years. Due
to Marine Corps protocols, it took almost six months before he was granted off post housing and
I was able to move in with him. Because I was unable to transfer my high school credits, I
withdrew from school. I later obtained my GED the year after I would have graduated.
Both of us had a great desire to have children, so we decided to start a family right away.
A few months after our first anniversary, our first daughter was born. By this time my husbands
enlistment with the Marine Corps was finished. He decided not to reenlist because Marines have
to spend extensive periods of time away from their families during training and deployment. We
were back home before my daughter was born.
Having a child also brings a huge change in your life. I absolutely loved being a mom!
Motherhood came very naturally to me. It is hard to describe the intense emotions you feel while
holding your baby in your arms for the first time. Now I had someone else to devote my life to.

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Parenting is tiring at times but not burdensome. I believe being a mom is very rewarding. I
treasured every moment spent with my daughter. Due to financial situations, I had to find part
time work when she was three months old. When she was six months old, I went to work full
time. It was very difficult for me to leave her, and I feel like I missed out on a lot. I worked full
time for two years, until the due date for my second daughter. We were a little more financially
stable at that time, so I got to stay home with my babies.
My husband was in the National Guards for three years, then decided to go back to active
duty. This time he enlisted in the Army, because they are allotted more family time. We moved
out of state to Tennessee. During this time our third daughter was born. I was now twenty-four.
I continued to enjoy raising my children. I did provide childcare for others in my home to
supplement our income. My husband had planned to finish his career in the military.
Unfortunately he sustained a back injury during a train exercise. The military really did not do
anything for him. He was put on medical hold, given a desk job, and later received an honorable
discharge.
After the military, we went through many transitions with his employment and had to
move a lot. This was difficult on me and our children. I was able to stay home with them most
of the time, but also worked some part time jobs to help out. When I was thirty-one our son was
born, and then three years later our last daughter was born.
This stage in my life brought me out of isolation. If I had allowed my insecurities,
emotional withdraw, and depression to control my life, I would have missed out on so much!
This stage in my life was marked by intimacy with my husband and my children. My
relationship with my parents and other family members was also restored and strengthened.

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GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION

The seventh stage of Eriksons theory generally takes place between the ages of 40-65.
During this stage most people have been established in their career for some time. Also most
people have had all the children they are going to have. People are now in their middle years of
life. Many people take stock of their lives at this point. They look at what they have been able
to accomplish so far in life. They also may reevaluate their lives to decide if any major changes
need to be made for the future. McLeod (2013) relates that during this stage, We give back to
society through raising our children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in
community activities and organizations. By failing to achieve these objectives, we become
stagnant and feel unproductive.
I am currently forty-five years old, so I am just toward the beginning of this stage in my
life. One of the unique aspects of my life at this time is that I am in the middle of five
generations. My two oldest daughters are married, and I now have four grandchildren. I also
have three grandparents still living. My moms dad died before I was born, so I did not get to
meet him. I have one adult child still living at home along with two other children who are
fourteen and eleven.
I am pretty actively involved with my family. My youngest children are old enough to
be less dependent on me now, but I try to stay engaged with them. I have to oversee chores and
homework. There is also never ending loads of laundry and dishes. We try to do things as a
family, but it is getting harder to manage everybodys schedules. I am thankful that my two
married daughters live less and half an hour away. I still get to see them often, and I have some
great sons-in-law. Becoming a grandma was also an amazing life experience. I am glad I am

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young enough to really enjoy them. I get to see all my grandbabies almost every week. They
also get to stay overnight frequently.
I have one grandma that has severe dementia, and I do not get to see her very often. My
other two grandparents are still able to live at home and are usually in fairly good health. I visit
them almost every week and help them with things they can no longer do. I will be their primary
caregiver unless the time comes when they will need to move to assisted living. They do not
have any of their children who will be able to help them. They have one daughter who lives out
of state and is not in very good health. My uncle died of cancer three years ago, and my dad died
of cancer two months ago. I am very close to my grandparents and hope I will be able to help
them as much as possible.
I did make one big change in my life recently. I decided to leave my part time job and go
to school full time. For most of my life up until now I have been more focus on raising my
family than on pursuing a career. I have decided to pursue a degree in Early Childhood
Education. Children have always been a big part of my life, and I really enjoy working with
them. I thought it would be a good time to do this now because my children are mostly grown. I
wanted to be able to have a career that I would enjoy doing. It may be challenging for me to
adjust to a full time work schedule and balance family time, but I believe it will work out.
Besides my family and my schooling, I am also involved with my church. Every
Wednesday night I work with the one and two year olds, and one Sunday a month I work with
one year olds. I have also recently begun volunteering at a local womens shelter. As you can
see, I am living a pretty full life right now. Besides my school work, I spend most of my time
taking care of my family across the generations and doing other volunteer work. I really enjoy
helping other people. On the down side, I often overextend myself and have a hard time saying

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no to things. Consequently, I find I have very little time for myself. I would say my life at this
time is definitely defined as generativity, and I would not even know how to be stagnant.
EGO INTEGRITY VS. DESPAIR
The final stage of Eriksons theory of psychosocial development begins around the age of
65 and concludes with death. Many begin this stage with retirement. Some will opt for a full
retirement, and many may continue to work, but to a lesser degree. This is a time of major life
reflection. People look back and evaluate their accomplishments and life events. At this time
many also begin to more seriously contemplate the aspects of death. McLeod (2013) explains
that if a person is satisfied with their life accomplishments they will develop a sense of integrity.
McLeod further states that, If we see our lives as unproductive, feel guilty about our past, or
feel that we did not accomplish our life goals, we become dissatisfied with life and develop
despair,
When we are young, it is often very hard to image what it will be like as we age. One of
the biggest things that may affect our life as we age is our health. One of the most important
things people desire is to have quality of life as they age. If we are heathy, we will be better able
to enjoy our lives. I do not foresee myself having any major health problems as I age. I am a
little concerned about getting dementia though. I have one grandma with sever dementia, and
another one with mild dementia. They did not acquire this condition until they were in their mideighties though. If we maintain our health we will be able to continue being more involved with
our family, friends, and community.
I believe that it is also vitally important to stay active. I believe that when I reach this
stage I will still be fairly active. I hope I will be able to remain physically active. I believe I will

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still enjoy taking nature walks, riding a bicycle, kayaking on a lake, and gardening for as long as
I am able. I believe it is also important to keep your mind active. I have always enjoyed
reading, and am always learning new things. Another aspect of having an active mind is
teaching others. The more you learn and experience in life, the more you will able to pass along
to others.
I also see myself continually being involved with my family. I believe I will live to see
my great grandchildren, and even some great great grandchildren. I have maintained some
family traditions, and have added some new ones along the way. I hope that as our family
continues to grow we will still make away to be together over the holidays.
Nobody has lived a perfect life, but I believe I will be very content with what I have been
able to do with my life. I will be very grateful for my family. I will be pleased that I have been
able to help people over the years. I will also be grateful for all the opportunities I have had to
make a difference in the lives of children. I believe I will also be pleased with the relationships I
have had in my life. I will be with my husband until death parts us. I have had a very close
relationship with my children and grandchildren. For a short time my relationship with my mom
was rocky, but other than that we have been very close. I am also very thankful that my
relationship with my dad had been restored. A few years after I got married my dad was able to
get completely free from his alcoholism. We grew closer over time, and he had always had a
close relationship with my children. We grew even closer as he suffered with cancer.
I have a very strong faith in God and do not fear death itself. I have witness others suffer
greatly when dying, and that is my only fear. Nobody wants to experience suffering, and it is
very hard to watch someone you love suffer. I do know that my eternal future is secure, and I
will look forward to being united with my loved ones.

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Reference:
McLeod, S. (2013). Erik Erikson. Simple Psychology. Retrieved from:
www.simplepsychology.org

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