# data[].attributes.body
As soon as we are born up until we are a year and a half old, we are in the stage that is considered trust vs. mistrust. During this stage, we as children are fully dependent on our parents or caregivers. According to Erikson, "Feeding is a critical activity during this stage." If our caregiver or parent is meeting our needs at this stage, we will develop trust. If they fail to meet our needs during this stage, we will begin to develop mistrust. This will either prepare us or cause problems for later in life for us. When I was about eight months old, I was able to crawl. However, I still fully relied on my grandparents to care for me. Because they were able to care for me properly, I developed trust and began to form relationships with those around me.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This was me at about fourteen months old.

# data[].attributes.body
From the age of one and a half to three years old, we are in the stage of autonomy vs. shame and doubt. At this stage, the child should be able to begin exercising choice. According to Erikson, "The child is developing physically and becoming more mobile, discovering that he or she has many skills and abilities, such as putting on clothes and shoes, playing with toys, etc." When I was about six months old, I began trying food. It was baby food. However, as I got older, I would decide which food I wanted to eat. For example, for fruit at breakfast, I would either eat strawberries and bananas or blueberries and bananas. I developed autonomy because I was encouraged to make my own choices.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This photo was taken when I was about four years old.

# data[].attributes.body
From the age of three years old to the age of five years old, we as children are in the stage of initiative vs. guilt. This stage is all about the child expressing the desire to take initiative in activities. When a parent or guardian punishes a child for initiative, the child will begin to feel guilt that will eventually affect the child throughout its' life later on. According to Erikson, "The child begins to assert control and power over their environment by planning activities, accomplishing tasks, and facing challenges." For example, as a child, my sister and I would make up games outside with our cats. We would play house with them. I developed initiative because we were encouraged to keep being assertive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This is a photo of my cousin, Kabrienne, and I at about seven years old. (I am on the right.)

# data[].attributes.headline
Stage 4: Industriousness vs. Inferiority

# data[].attributes.subject
Stage 4: Industriousness vs. Inferiority

# data[].attributes.body
From the age of five years old to twelve years old, you are in the stage of industriousness vs. inferiority. At this stage, the child develops cognitive abilities to enable in task completion. If a parent or teacher does not support the child's efforts, the child will develop feelings of inadequacy or inferiority. According to Erikson, "Children are at the stage where they will be learning to read and write, to do sums, and to do things on their own." In elementary school, I used my cognitive abilities to complete my assignments to the best of my ability and get good grades. I developed industriousness as a child when my family supported me in sports and schooling.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This was a senior photo of me when I was seventeen, taken two and a half years ago.

# data[].attributes.body
From the age of twelve to eighteen, this is a time of forming your identity. Teenagers begin to find out who they are or who they may want to become. Some go through an identity crisis and are confused about their ego. According to Erikson, "Teenagers explore who they are as individuals, seek to establish a sense of self, and may experiment with different roles, activities, and behaviors." During high school, I struggled with fitting in. I never found my group of friends until my senior year of high school. I struggled with depression and went through an identity crisis, not knowing who I truly was or what I wanted to do with my life. I still struggle with this daily. I developed role confusion. I am figuring it out to this day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Here is a photo of my boyfriend, two dogs, and I from October. Left to right (me, Mabel, Collin, Dolly)

# data[].attributes.body
From about eighteen to forty years old, you are in the stage of intimacy vs. isolation. During this stage, we undertake productive work and are able to establish intimate relationships. When someone cannot establish love or intimate relationships, they will begin to isolate themselves from everyone around them. According to Erikson, "Successful completion of this stage can result in happy relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a relationship." For example, I have been in an intimate relationship for almost two years. We plan to eventually get married and have children. For now, we are working on paying off a piece of land to begin building our house. I have developed intimacy as I have formed a strong connection with my boyfriend.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This is a photo of my aunt, uncle, and I from my senior prom. This was taken about one and a half years ago. 

# data[].attributes.body
From the age of forty years old to sixty-five years old, people are in the stage of generativity vs. stagnation. This stage is when there is active involvement in teaching the younger generation. At this stage, they begin to express a need to teach and care for others. According to Erikson, "During middle age, individuals experience a need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often having mentees or creating positive changes that will benefit other people." For example, my aunt is about forty years old. She constantly gives me advice to help make things easier for me. I appreciate her a lot. I believe my aunt has begun to develop generativity as she is always giving advice and teaching.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Here is a photo of my great-grandparents and I. This photo was taken at my high school graduation party almost two years ago.

# data[].attributes.body
From the age of sixty-five and so on, you are in the stage of ego integrity vs. despair. This is usually the time people begin to evaluate their entire lives. If they look back on their lives and are satisfied with themselves, they feel integrity. If they look back and are angry or frustrated, they feel despair. Erikson described this stage as, "the acceptance of one’s one and only life cycle as something that had to be." For example, I believe my great grandma looks back on her life and feels great satisfaction. She is a wonderful person and has done great things in her life. I cannot imagine she feels any despair. She is almost eighty years old and still has probably thirty friends. To put it simply, my grandma does not know a stranger. She is and has always been a wonderful person. I believe my grandma has developed ego integrity as she has had much time to reflect upon her life to realize she has been a wonderful person with a wonderful life. She has a lot of people who love her.

# data[].attributes.body
Erikson's Stages of Development