As a 15 year old, I wanted to be a pilot. I used to dream about piloting an aircraft and flying across the globe. When I realised I was afraid of heights, I dropped this idea. So, then I considered engineering. I took up science, joined a coaching institute, only to leave it and take Humanities. Now I’m an artist.
You’ve undoubtedly heard the term “identity crisis,” but you may not know its origins. The term was coined by developmental psychologist Erik Erikson who defined the eight psychosocial stages that humans go through in their lives from birth to death. Identity vs. role confusion is the fifth stage that individuals experience as they navigate through the potentially stormy years of adolescence.
Lot of self-definitions get explored during this time, and in response to an identity crisis an adolescent may experiment with various clothing or hair styles, religion, gender identity, values, or other identifying characteristics. They may appear to be completely different people weekly or even on a daily basis, particularly to their parents.
Are you in a similar situation? Is this you? Are you plagued by the thought of, “Who am I?” Do you find yourself doing what you think you ‘should’ do, or what allows you to keep up with others, because you just can’t tell what you like and don’t like? If so, you might be suffering from a very real “identity crisis” that deserves your attention.
To know more about the 5th stage of psychosocial development- Identity vs Role confusion watch this
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