TA #3

I chose the item from Module 13 as my top artifact because I can truly say I am happy. I would say that majority of the time I am happy regardless of the things that are occurring in my life. Just recently, I became depressed because of a transition from Northern Virginia to Newport News. I was forced to find myself again and find my inner happiness. It took quite some time to get it together but this assignment helped me realize that both physical and mental matters have something to do with my happiness. Clothes do play a part in me feeling good about myself, but when I’m not dressed up I still feel the same happiness.

I learned that true happiness comes from the inside, it’s actually something you can’t live without. This assignment also has taught me that I have to make myself happy and I cannot depend on someone else to do that. I chose this image because traveling and getting fresh air are two of the things that make me happy. The feeling of being free contributes to my mental health and happiness. I have learned that this method of getting peace of mind from nature for just 30mins a day can play a major role in my mood. I love the feeling of being happy and having a clear mind. Taking walks through nature trails and going on hikes have helped clear my mind of things I cannot control, which contributes to my happiness.

TA #2

The second top artifact that I chose was the word cloud from the archive item in module 8. I went with this archive item because I learned that it is easy for your behavior to reflect the exact opposite of your personality if you don’t have self-control. In this particular situation, my sister and I were arguing and it turned into a scene that involved the police. The behavior that took place during this event is not the behavior I normally partake in and never wish to see myself in the state again. We both deal with a lot of childhood trauma, but because I am finding ways to help myself and she isn’t, there is always conflict with us. Emotions do tend to overpower the mind, causing a person to act out in a way that they shouldn’t, but sometimes it can be for the better.

There have been times where incidents take place and a person can act in a more positive way than they usually do, resulting in a change of personality. I do believe that we are likely to reflect consistent personality in our behaviors vs. context influencing our personality. If context can consistently influence your personality, then what truly is your personality? At what does a person stay true to themselves regardless of the context or situation they are in, that’s the real self-control. I learned that the more self-control I have, the more I can have outsiders and myself, see my true personality be reflected in my behavior.

TA #1

The picture above is a size 9 Old Navy flip flop that I was forced to wear as a child. My grandmother would always buy me shoes that were too big for me and dress me differently from other children around me. Being raised by your grandparents is different than being raised by your parents, sometimes they can be much older. I chose these flip flops because they were like clown shoes on my small feet, I was probably a size 6 or 7 at the time. Imagine being in middle school wearing shoes twice or three times your size, talk about a joke. I was ashamed of wearing those flipflops but they were the only ones I had. I had several different colors and none of them fit me. The other kids wouldn’t bully me but they had their fair share of jokes. This made me who I am today because now my appearance means everything to me. How I present myself to the world is important to me because this is how someone will view you for the rest of your life at times.

I chose this archive item because I’m currently on a journey to find who I truly am and genuinely love myself. I did find my true myself at the end of last year and I couldn’t be more proud of myself. I learned that true beauty is on the inside, your personality, and your clothes are just a compliment. Clothes aren’t everything and they don’t have to mean anything, but it is a part of who you are. The clothes I wear now are sophisticated and well fit! If it wasn’t for the clothes and shoes I wore as a child, I probably wouldn’t value my appearance as much as I do today.