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Birth (Newborn - 0 years old)
I was born into my family, and I got to exist. My parents went through a lot to make sure I could have a good life, like going back to school for better degrees or just working hard, they tried their best. They read books on raising me, and while they may have been unprepared in some cases, what parent is ever one hundred percent ready?
(Micro, Macro, Chrono) -
Family Break (Early Childhood - 5 years old)
Before this, my entire family had a deep sense of closeness, but when my uncle and aunt got divorced, a lot of the family became split. This event furthered my emotional knowledge, as one learns quick not to mention certain events at the dinner table. With the divorce, I was unable to see certain family members, childhood friends from other parents involved and those I considered brothers. I did not understand what was happening, so my desire to understand and help people was born.
(Micro, Exo) -
Friends (Middle Childhood -10 years old)
I made my first group of friends by finding people as lonely as I was and putting them together. Since third grade, we have all stuck with each other. We even had our parents joining together to make events at school more fun for all of us. Sometimes, there would be drama, but the main group would always find ways to get around that. I finally had people I could hang out with and sleep over with, and where I could wear a genuine smile around. This brought me out of my shell more.
(Micro, Meso) -
Boxing (Middle Adolescence - 16 years old)
I decided to learn how to box. Typically, I just move forward and lack passion, but a spark of inspiration hit me, and I actually followed through, which was a great step in being my own person. I was able to get close to a tougher crowd of people, as well as my father who drove and provided additional coaching. The only issue I ever faced with was people who took the sport so seriously that they became health concerns. Even so, I was able to smile practicing the sweet science.
(Micro) -
Freshman (Late Adolescence - 18 years old)
After graduating from high school, I was soon transitioned to college, where for the first time, I was away from family. I had the ability to make my own schedule, build relationships I never thought were possible and gain a sense of both independence and freedom. ASU ended up opening up my world view and allowed me a fresh start to create the new me, removed from previous biases. With new friends and a head start driving me forward, issues like long walks on campus were nothing.
(Micro) -
COVID (Late Adolescence - 19 years old)
COVID caused a wave of destruction to the world's plans, including my own. As soon as I felt like I was getting into the groove of adulthood, I was forced back home to be alone once more. I could not even go outside without panic attacks that I may get sick. I ended up getting a bit lazier with schoolwork and relationships, getting used to being more chilled out, waiting for the world to come back together. I lost my feeling of growth, but I got closer to anyone near me.
(Micro, Macro, Chrono) -
Despair (Emerging Adulthood - 23 Years old)
Out of my whole life, this was what I considered the worst year for me. My grandfather died, my relationship of two years ended, and I was rejected from graduate schools, leaving me with no motivation to do anything. I had to wait for my next opportunity, and all I could do is mope and be sad. I appreciated the support I got, but I just could not pick myself back up for the longest time. This event taught me that just sitting around and doing nothing was both sad and boring.
(Micro, Macro) -
MSW (Young Adulthood - 23 Years Old)
After everything from the previous year, everything changed when I got accepted into the MSW program, giving me another chance to move towards the goal of wanting to help people. Getting the confirmation that I got accepted made me sit down and think to myself on what I wanted to do. Both my family and friends were able to stop worrying about me after I got accepted. A challenge I had to overcome was the feeling that I did not deserve to move forward, but that feeling is gone now.
(Micro) -
What I Learned
I admit, I did struggle a bit understanding what exactly this project was supposed to look like, however, I did have to think about what events in my life have changed and shaped not only myself, but the people around me. I feel like this project put into perspective that anything can affect a person's development, including events that are so far removed from the person themselves.