As exhibited by virtual life, I have definitely gone through various experiences in my life, both positive and negative. I have been a very productive individual throughout my life but as I grow older, my productivity has ultimately diminished and I am now restricted to just exploring life as a retired individual. I am no different than any other individual who is going through the late adulthood and I therefore think that I will definitely have to contemplate on my life experiences and think whether or not I have led a successful life. During this time period, I will reflect back on the life that I have led with either a sense of integrity/fulfillment if I have led a successful and fulfilling life or a sense of despair if I am dissatisfied with the life I have led or if I feel that I have misspent it according to Erikson (1985)
In my life, I have managed to maintain a close bond in my life and this is a feature that I particularly can be very proud of because as Berk (2010) says, family comes first. I have also managed to provide a decent living for my family throughout the years. In addition, I have also had a successful education and social life from my adolescence years. These are just some of the milestones that I have accomplished in my virtual life and that will that I think will make me have a sense of integrity. According to Erikson (1985), the successful completion of this late adulthood stage will mean looking back at life with minimal regrets and general satisfaction feeling. I will inadvertently attain wisdom even as I start confronting death.
However, there are definitely some decisions that I might have made in my virtual past to cope differently with some of my experiences. One of them concerns my family. Although I have managed to maintain close bond with my family, I however wish I had spent more time with them especially my parents and my siblings. For instance, had I been more close with my brother and had I been checking up on him more frequently even when he was living in my house , I definitely would have able to notice the elements of depression that were starting to develop in him. I wish I had allowed him to continue living in my house where he would have taken care of. I would have also not allowed my parents to move to Arizona and I should have kept them close to me for mutual emotional support.
Another possible decision that I would have made in my earlier virtual regards my employment status. Although I have managed to hold a stable job for the larger part of my life, I would have definitely though about being more entrepreneurial. Being entrepreneurial helps one to have a more fulfilling life (Dacey and Travers, 1996). For instance, instead of relying on my salary form my work residence, I would have established my own small business like a pizza eatery and delivery shop and then possibly hired my family members like cousins and siblings to be the workers there. This would have strengthened our family bond even more.
In spite of these plausible decision alterations, I am however happy with most of the decision I have made and I have absolutely no regrets about the life I have led.
References
Berk, L. E. (2010). Exploring lifespan development. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Erikson, E. H. (1985). The life cycle completed: A review. New York: Norton.
Dacey, J. S., & Travers, J. F. (1996). Human development: Across the lifespan. Madison, Wis: Brown & Benchmark Publishers.
