Clear Picture

 

             It is  often said that growing up is hard to do, but the stages of development across the lifespan can be seen as shifting further into maturation; as humans we are constantly adapting  to our life based on our current trajectory. As we progress further into the aging process, self-awareness and identity take importance into our lives.

Simply looking at a mirror will provide a reflection, while reflecting on one’s appearance has many different meanings. Self-identification, self-worth, and other adaptive qualities become more prominent as we continue to mature. Early adulthood brings with it many stereotypes, expectations, and stigmas. The age bracket for individuals in early adulthood spans from 24-34. Patricia Adkins is currently in the middle of the spectrum, experiencing early adulthood at the age of 28. The unique experiences and events in her life have helped Patricia to adapt and form an identity.

During this stage there is a desire to become independent, not only to one’s spouse but also a chosen profession. She has been married for a little over a year, but has been with her husband 8 years prior to their marriage. Patricia has been a Registered Nurse for four years,  and for the last three years she has been specializing in hospice care. She is a month away from receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She has honed in on a career that she receives enjoyment from while using her selected skill set to help people.  Following Erikson’s work, intimacy versus isolation is experienced during this stage of development. Forming lasting bonds and friendships has never been an issue, but finding meaningful friends has been a challenge. The element of trust has caused some discord amongst individuals that were once esteemed colleagues and comrades. It is innate for people to be dishonest and selfish, but there is also a desire to seek approval and be close with someone. During this point, Patricia is not only defining who she is as an individual, but she the friendships and relationships that she has in her life are more meaningful and personal. It is difficult to discover the intention of people around you, but not trusting people or allowing someone to get close can be detrimental.

Over the course of her development, Patricia has come to the realization that a sense of self-awareness impacts the formation of friendships, behavior, and the impact you have on your life. The ability to take constructive criticism has helped Patricia learn from others, growing into the mature woman she is today. It is important to realize that knowledge is gained through experience and events; it is not just handed to you. The modification of behaviors and learning from past mistakes is also an important attribute to have when going through development. It is important to understand what when wrong so that the error can be avoided in the future. The act of conforming happens on a daily basis, but it is how an individual arrives at their decisions that matters. There are certain pressures (societal, environmental, parental, etc.) that play an important role in the development of our standards and identity.

Cognitive resiliency is essential during early adulthood as it impacts the knowledge, thinking, and processing that occurs further on in development. There are various factors that impact the way an individual can process thoughts and information. According to Stint-Morrow and Chui (2012), it is important to utilize and optimize the brain and cognitive thinking during adulthood. A healthy mind and body play important roles in the overall cognitive functioning. Having a specific proficiency or skill set will allow one to focus and learn to multi-task keeping brain movement high. Stress, lack of sleep, and issues with physical health often occur during adulthood, but learning regulation of emotions and responses will increase overall well-being. Learning how to buffer and respond to stress and ongoing issues will help strengthen the hemispheres within the brain.  

 

References

Stint-Morrow, E.A.L., & Chui, H. (2012) Cognitive resilience in adulthood. Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 32, 93.