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Oral Stage
According to my parents, I didn't put things in my mouth like other babies did, and if I did then I barely ever. That might be the reason to why I'm not dependent on objects, but instead of rather independent. -
Trust VS Mistrust
As a baby, I was quiet and didn't cry as often as other babies. My mother left me in the bath tub for a minute to answer the door, heard me crying, thought it was nothing to worry about, and returned after another minute to find that I turned the cold water off so that the water was boiling hot. My feet were swollen and I was rushed to the hospital. That situation was a supressed memory that explains why I don't always trust my mother's decisions 100%. -
Pre-operational Stage
I developed a symbol for wanting to drink by pointing at my mouth with my thumb and saying “emboo” (which oddly enough is what I heard almost every Egyptian baby say when they wanted water, at least the ones somehow related to me). I used symbols and limited language to express my egocentric needs, and these are the key elements of this stage. -
Anal Stage
It didn't take me long to get my toilet training done. Since Freud believed that children who are successful at toilet training within an appropriate time become productive and creative, this can therefore apply to me since (with all modesty) I’m considered to be a pretty creative and productive individual. -
Sensorimotor Stage
As a child, I showed a development of object permanence when my uncle had my teddy bear hid behind his back yet I knew it was still there. I could no longer see it and none of my senses were aware of it, but I knew it was somewhere and I kept pulling on his shirt and whining for it until I got it. -
Autonomy VS Shame and Doubt
During my nursery days, I came home once and told my mother, “I don’t want to wear diapers because Ms. Hala doesn’t wear them so I won’t too.” And I never did from that day on and barely ever wet my bed at night because I was determined to be like the teacher I looked up to. I think a way that really affected me is that it strengthened my self-control and my will-power to do what’s right and mature, and that maybe an assisting factor in why alcohol and smoking don’t appeal to me. -
Phallic Stage
I haven’t had an Electra complex because I didn’t “resent” my mother’s relationship with my father. Since there was no conflict at this stage, I had no problems in my relationship with my parents later in life. My father and I were close anyway because of how we’re so much alike and he always me for my opinion on his job-related decisions just as much as he’d ask my mom. (Literally, always; he used to talk to me through my mother’s pregnant tummy.) -
Latency Stage
Since I didn't have an electra complex, we can consider that I was directly at the Latency stage of that I never experienced either of them. -
Initiative VS Guilt
I’ve always been the curious one. My parents always answered my questions and explained to me after every “why” and I believe it’s the reason I feel comfortable asking questions whether the questions are for them or any other. It also built a stronger relationship between us because if they could answer my questions as a child, why not answer my more mature questions? -
Industry VS Inferiority
In the first grade, I was a little behind in our computer science class. I didn’t know how to use the internet when most of the others kids did. Looking back at that, I think that might be why I’m a little technologically challenged. -
Concrete Operations
At this stage, I learned to accept that different containers mights make the same amount of liquid seem more or less. The charactersitic of shape changed, but the object itself was still the same. -
Pre-conventional
My parents instructed me to stay home, and when my uncle came to take me out I refused to leave despite him telling me that he'll talk to my parents. I was thinking of the consequences and the possibility of me getting punished so I refused to disobey them. -
Conventional
Growing up, I had preserved a golden rule in mind of not cheating. I was, thankfully, well influenced by good media (cartoons) and great role models so when put in a situation like cheating, I thought of it from their perspective and counted all the reasons they wouldn’t do it. -
Genitals Stage
Most of my friends would probably have several memories of sexual pleasures going through their minds when reading of this stage. I’m only human and I do get the same urges they do, but I have higher self-control and I didn’t actually experience many of the things they have. I can probably be able to safely say that I am completely at this stage when I’m married, but for now I just experience the same needs and feelings they all do but tend to get over them. -
Postconventional
In 10th grade, English class, I was asked when it is okay to kill someone. Being at this stage, I gave multiple answers depending on the situation, examining several societal rules from my own perspective rather than how the public views them. I finally came to my personal conclusion without people’s rules interfering with my opinion. -
Formal Operations
This stage is what got me through school and will get me through many years to come. Science class was the perfect change to hypothesise several times before actually testing something and having to experience it. We were required to think critically without observations. Such cognition is a key element of this stage. -
Identity VS Role Confusion
As an adolescent I didn't try fitting in as much as everyone else I know did. I was an unusual case who thought (and still does think) that being different is pretty cool. I think my confidence in knowing who I am and accepting that I'm different is one greatly contributing factor in why I have so many friends, because I'm comfortable around several different crowds. -
Intimacy VS Isolation
College is the best or most relative time for this stage. I’d have to balance my time wisely between my studies, friends, family, the gym, and my own free time. It’s a really great struggle but once mastered, I’ll guarantee awesome college years and a healthy later life with my family as a future working mother. -
Marriage - Genitals Stage (Obvious)
I'll now be graduated and around 23 years old. My marriage will be a huge event because I'll now be in love and married to my college sweetheart, the guy next door, or the guy I met at a party and couldn't stop thinking about. On this day I'll be thinking of nothing but him and my life with him and the time I'll get to spend with him. -
My Amazing Job - Identity VS Role Confusion (Again)
I got a job at this big fashion magazine as a stylist on photography sets, plus I opened my own event organizing office. I am now finally independent and I no longer need my parents' financial aid. Although they'd never stop helping, I can at least now give them back and therefore feel better about it. However, this an attempt to finding the perfect job for me. -
Launching My Brand - Identity VS Role Confusion (Again)
I launched my very own brand and have my name everywhere. Ghazi invested in my project as an old supporter of mine. Everyone's talking about my designs and my shop and this is one of the happiest moments of my life. I feel successful and even more independent. Ghazi helping out doesn't make me feel any less independent because I know my role and identity as an independent, successful business woman who has friends amazing enough to support her. I know exactly who I am. -
Intimacy VS Isolation (Again) - My First Child
I now had my first child and I have to balance my time between work, my child, my husband, cooking, and my own free time. My baby's a handful but it's all worth it. I give him/her all the attention needed and my husband and I play with him/her at every chance we get and spend time together as a family. -
Opening My Own Restaurant With the Hubby - Identity VS Role Confusion (Again)
My husband and I opened our very own restaurant. It's mostly mine but he's my partner in everything, and he's into cooking too. I realized I'm even stronger of a woman who can take in so many businesses running and they're all art-related. Again, this is who I am. Strong, independent, hard working, artistic, and suuccessful. -
My Children's School Concert - Intimacy VS Isolation (Again)
I was to be interviewed today and it was on a short notice so I could not ask for a date or timing, so I had to excuse myself from it once I remembered my children's concert at school. I'm crazy busy and I have a lot to do, but my family comes first. I have my priorities set and I have a balanced lifestyle with the time I spend on every role I play as a mother, business woman, and a wife. -
Problems at Work - Formal Operations (Again)
I had a problem with the marketing department of my brand. Being at this stage, I could use abstract reasoning and critical thinking to solve the problem and get everything going again. The problem passed quickly and was soon forgotten. -
Authoritative Parent
My daughter has been nagging all day to go to this party I know is no good for her at all. Her father and I talked to her and explained to her why she can't go and how we're worried about that party. To make it up for her, we told her to go get dressed to take her out wherever she wanted and do whatever she wanted as a reward for her understanding and polite acceptance to our decision. -
Generativity VS Stagnation
As of now I will look at my life path and see what I can do to make it count. I will do something that would give me a sense of achievement and contribution to the society that would also please God. I might donate to a really great cause, build a school, etc. I would ensure that I do enough good to leave behind. -
Investing in My Children's Businesses - Generativity VS Stagnation (Again)
My children now have their own jobs and/or business and in order for me to feel more satisfied of my contribution, I invest in their businesses to help them expand and grow. -
Integrity VS Despair
Now I'd look back and think if I am satisfied with my accomplishments or not. I'd observe and remember all my great moments and be thankful to God for my amazing children, my beautiful home, my adventurous experiences, my loving husbands, and my lessons learned. I would accept it all and regret nothing. I can now be the wise grandmother who would patiently ptovide guidance and advice for her grandchildren while continuing to pray to prepare for death which I completely accept.
