We all move through different seasons of life, each bringing its own challenges and growth opportunities.
Psychologist Erik Erikson mapped out 8 key stages we travel through from birth to old age. At each stage, we face a central tug-of-war between two forces. If we navigate it well, we gain strengths that carry us forward. If we get stuck, we may carry lingering doubts, fears, or patterns that shape how we see ourselves and the world. Here is a snapshot of it:
You might notice yourself resonating strongly with one of these stages, even if it’s from years ago. That’s because life isn’t a one-way ladder. Sometimes we revisit old challenges when big changes happen: a new job, a breakup, becoming a parent, losing someone dear.
Recognizing where you (or someone you care about) might be on this map can open the door to compassion, for yourself and for others.
After all, we’re all just moving through the stages, doing our best to grow.
