The Colors of Our Mind

The Colors of Our Minds

Understanding our psyche`

After reading the chart that was provided and studying more about Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson, I believe I am more confused than ever by Freud. I am also very understanding about the negativity surrounding his conclusions (Cherry, 2015). Studying his approaches brings me to mind of a modern day egotistical bigot. Harsh words for a man who has developed so many theories that psychologists use today.

I can relate much better to Erik Erikson’s stages of development. Even though he was heavily influenced by Freud, his findings are very contradictive to Freud’s findings. First, Erikson is not so much focused on the sexual side of the human mind. He allows for outside influence to be the catalyst for our psyche` and development (Erikson, 2015).

This past year in my own life follows right along with Erikson’s summation that finding meaning, career, and family in this stage is what we focus on. I will be sixty in August of this year and this past year has been one of much soul-searching. I decided to step out of my regular pattern of working for someone else and commit more time to my own business. My college education will be finished this year. Opportunities keep appearing to expand my career even further.

My passion for my work has not even peaked yet. I have a feeling like there is so much more that I can learn and apply to help my clients and myself. It is so hard for me to grasp that I am going to be sixty! Erikson says that in this stage of life working to establish stability is one of the concerns. I agree that is where I am. Eight years ago, I tried to establish my business into a full-time endeavor. I was sailing right along and then the 2008 economic crisis hit. I was suddenly left with only three clients-hardly enough to make ends meet.

I decided to go back in to the workforce in 2010 and now feel that finally I am ready to jump in feet first and make this work. My tax preparation business grows every year despite the competition. I have tripled my number of bookkeeping clients in the last six months. I have been given the opportunity to invest in a building.

During all this time, I have to say that sex or ideas of sex or fantasies about sex are the furthest things from my mind. When I read Freud’s stages I am somewhat sickened by his generalizations about humans and their sexual ideations. In all my years I have never been fixated or even thought a whole lot about my sexuality. I know that I am a female and that I have certain wants and needs. However, I do not feel that these sexual undertones have made me what I am today.

Freud’s conclusions about the subconscious I can find believable. I feel like I have experienced this myself. Many times I may react to situations and not understand my reaction until I sit