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This stage refers to the time in a child's life when they are completely dependent on others (0-1 years old), and their needs are met, then there is trust. But if there is abandonment, then there will be mistrust in the infant. In those years, though I cannot really remember, I know I was taken care of. I was loved and always had the necessities. Because of this, I had trust when I was an infant. We had a pool, and my parents would have me in it with them from the moment I was alive. I trusted that my parents would take care of me and not allow me to drown. The book says that a person does need some mistrust "to protect themselves from danger." I did not experience distrust until the later years of my life. 

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The second stage (1-3 years old) in Erikson's stages of development is essentially talking about the development of independence in children. I was always a very independent kid, and I will allowed to do things on my own, even if mistakes were made. I think I developed this from having a trusting environment. My parents trusted me enough to do my own thing, and trust works both ways. The book says "A child who first successfully developed a sense of trust would be in a particularly good position to develop (independence)" An example of my independence is when I was 3, I wanted to be in the pool without assistance from my parents (with the help of floaties).

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The meaning of stage three is that at these ages (3-6 years old) the child with try to get things started, and will either continue to be a leader, but may gain the feeling of guilt if they mess up or overstep boundaries.  Though I had the confidence to initiate things in the beginning, I remember developing feelings that I was always overstepping or was a burden. I can remember being in preschool and asking my friend to play on the swings with me. As we played, he fell and I remember feeling that his actions were my fault because I had the idea of playing on the swings. But it was a part of learning right and wrong. The book says that children "are learning that some of the things they want to do meet social approval, whereas others do not." This became more apparent to me in elementary school.

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This stage comes about when the child begins to develop self-confidence, or a feeling of inferiority when there is a lack of it. (7-11 years old). I would often act confident to counteract the inferiority I felt, whether in a basketball game or at school lunch. I was unable to feel like I fit in. When I really knew that I could do something, it is all I wanted to do because it was comfortable. However, I can remember times as simple as picking a lunch table. I was always changing where I sat, because I didn't know who valued me or not. I remember one day in elementary school when I was at lunch, and I went and sat at a couple different tables in one day because no matter where I sat, I felt like the outsider, and less than the people around me. I've always been tall, and when I was that age it made me feel alienated. So, as the book says, I "face[ed] feelings of inferiority."

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Stage five (12-18 years old) is the dreaded stage in adolescence. This is where the person starts to really create a sense of self and develop their values.  "Identity forms as young people resolve three major issues: the choice of an occupation, the adoption of values to live by, and the development of a satisfying sexual identity." I was very lost in confusion over what I was going to do with my life. Most of my adolescence was spent trying to survive, so I didn't think beyond the day I was living in. My values have changed slightly, but the most important ones to me were apparent pretty quick, and they stayed with me while I figured out who I am. Sexual identity is still one that struggled with, and was very confusing for me growing up. Puberty happened and I didn't understand what my feelings were for people. Then I found out that women can love women the way "only" men and women are supposed to. So that was a challenge and adventure finding out who I loved romantically. And then at my sexual identity took a turn when I went through abuse, and though I was once confident, I still to this day am pretty confused on who I am in that aspect.

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This stage is when the person creates and seeks relationships, or stays on their own. (19-29 years old). A source (linked in submission) says that it is about "exploring personal relationships." Although I am just entering this stage, I have created strong and meaningful relationships. I am also learning what I want in relationships in people. As I have started college, I have been meeting new people that are very different from what I am used to in my small town, and deciding whether I want to pursue a friendship with them or not. But I am always searching for new people, because I love having love in my life.

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The seventh stage of Erikson's theory is people (30-64 years old) deciding to create families and be a part of society. It is almost like a legacy. An outside source (linked in the submission) says "Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them."  do think I will want to have kids, but even if I do not, I know I will always want to be a part of a family of some kind. Even now I am working towards something that will leave an impact on other's lives, so I think that as I grow older I will contribute to society.

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The last stage is the final piece of Erikson's theory where an older person (65+ years old) will reflect on life and determine whether they made positive contributions to their and other's lives. The source mentioned before (linked in submission) describes this stage as when a person "determines if they are happy with the life that they lived or if they regret the things they did or didn't do." I think the key word is "regret". Though this stage is far from my reach, I have began to live my life the way I want it, and I am working hard to fulfill the dreams for my future.