In this photo, I'm seen playing hide-and-seek with a relative. There is no mistrust because I trust this relative will continue playing with me as I crawl around the house to find him. This photo was taken as I found him. As you can also see, I'm chunky, which means I'm well-fed and dressed in new clothing. My caregivers were meeting all my needs.

"If trust predominates, as it should, children develop hope: the belief they can fulfill their needs and obtain their desires. If mistrust predominates, children will view the world as unfriendly and unpredictable and will have trouble forming quality relationships." (pg. 150)

In this photo, I'm seen drawing on my coloring book but with my mother. I struggled with doing things alone because my mom always did it with me. I was experiencing shame and doubt, so I had to have her color with me as well. To resolve this, she would have me play with myself since I was the only child for a long time. I slowly learned the confidence to play by myself over time. This led me to develop autonomy.

"As children are better able to make their wishes understood, they become more powerful and independent. Because unlimited freedom is neither safe nor healthy, said Erikson, shame and doubt also have a necessary place" (pg. 157)

In this photo, I'm shown to be smiling from one ear to another. I inserted myself in a social interaction with my mother to take a picture with her. I did not experience any guilt because I was confident and wanted to take a picture with her.

"Preschool children can do—and want to do—more and more. At the same time, they are learning that some of the things they want to do meet social approval, whereas others do not." (pg. 210)

inferior when trying to achieve things outside the family.

In this photo, I can be seen buying a pumpkin and handing money to an individual that I do not know. I did not feel discouraged or inferior during this time because I had the self-esteem to successfully pay for the pumpkin without my family being near me to help me.

"If children are unable to obtain the praise of others or lack motivation and self-esteem, they may develop a feeling of low self-worth and thus develop a sense of inferiority. Developing a sense of industry, by contrast, involves learning how to work hard to achieve goals." (pg. 275)

In this photo, I'm seen at a football game in a cheer uniform. Cheerleading was my hobby and interest that I discovered during my middle school years and continued all the way up to my senior year of high school. I did not encounter role confusion because I dedicated my life to cheering and had goals throughout all the years I cheered for.

"in order to become a unique adult with a coherent sense of self and a valued role in society. 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. The effort to make sense of the self is part of a healthy process that builds on the achievements of earlier stages—on trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry—and lays the groundwork for coping with the challenges of adult life. " (pg. 336)

I have a close relationship with my family, and I'm in a three-year relationship with my current boyfriend. I used to struggle with opening up and would allow myself to build up all my emotions until I broke. I had to resolve this problem because I was experiencing isolation. I began to open up with my mom, and she would talk me through whatever I was going through. This helped me learn how to express my emotions the correct way. Now, since I have resolved this, I can form deeper connections with my family and boyfriend.

"Intimacy is a sense of belonging, a sense of identity, learning to get along with others, and emotional security. Isolation indicates it is strongly associated with an increase in depression and anxiety" (pg. 296, 311)

I have not entered this stage yet, but I will strive to be the best version of myself that I can be. I plan to impact my children's lives and those I work with in the education settings.

"In this stage, adults strive to create or nurture things, often through parenting, contributing to the community, or some other positive change."

I have not entered this stage yet, but I will reach my goals and be proud of myself for what I have done in my life. There will be some instances where I will feel shame, but the feeling of pride will override shame.

"A retrospective accounting of one's life to date; how much one embraces life as having been well lived, as opposed to regretting missed opportunities"