If I'm Late Start the Crisis Without Me

Jacob Sutton
Dr. Mirskin


I have always known what I wanted to do with my life.  I am rather indecisive in certain situations regarding what to eat, what to wear... basically all the little things in life, but one thing I have always been decisive over is what I want to pursue in life.  This puts me in the identity achieved group.  However, one is not simply always at the identity achieved stage.  I have gone through different passages which have made me realize the values that I hold, the beliefs that I follow, and the career path that I want to take.  Yes I am still growing and maturing in so many ways, but my moral values and passions are, at this point, things that are a part of who I am.  

 One of my best friends, Jessie, is in the identity foreclosed group.  He performs averagely in school, has a good education, and comes from a privileged background.  But he is my age, and has no idea what he wants to do.  He does not fancy the idea of a career that is set in stone (understandably).  He has so many people, from all directions, telling him what he should do with his life that he retreats when having to make these kinds of decisions.  To transition into the identity achieved stage, Jessie has to learn how to deal with everyone telling him what to do, instead of shrinking away from what the future may hold for him.  

 There are four main stages of growth throughout a pivotal passage, and we all just need to figure out how to navigate through them so we can come out the other side as decisive and self aware individuals.  

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