Personal Narrative Research Paper

Personal Narrative Life is a journey, filled with twists and turns, that leads a person to develop into a unique individual. My journey has been filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, that have shaped me into who I am today. Within the past five years, the meaning of my life has evolved greatly; more so than it did in the other 21 years of my life. The events that led to this evolution are filled with many moments of ups and downs, revelations, looking for myself, and a little heartbreak. When I look to different theories that might explain my changes, I look to motivational theories. Religion, culture, race, family, and gender have all played a significant role in my personality development. Many people look back at their life and
Life if a journey, and through that journey, I have become who I am. Within the past five years, the meaning of my life has evolved and developed.
After I had turned 21 years old, I started working in local casinos as a janitor. I didn’t have a high school diploma, so finding work was difficult. I bounced from job to job, making minimum wage. I had to live with my parents, because I couldn’t afford to live on my own. After a year of doing this, I was out of work for over a year, before I was hired at another casino. I wasn’t there very long, and I was let go once again. My parents were irritated because I was now 23 years old, still living with them, and unemployed. To further my stress, my relationship with my long-term boyfriend was becoming unstable. Eventually we did break up, and it made me realize that I needed to change, or I would end up being on the streets. I had to become more stable, more mature,
I look to Self-Determined (Deci & Ryan, 1980, 1985, 1991; Ryan, 1991, 1995) and Intrinsic (Deci, 1975; Lepper & Greene, 1978) theories. When I look at what began my changes, I see intrinsic motivation; where I am motivated by external sources. My boyfriend breaking up with me, my family being irritated, being unable to find work, and other external reasons lead me to realize that I needed change in my life. After I had gone through my schooling at Job Corps, and developed more of my personality, I became more self-determined; where I don’t rely on external sources to motivate me. I started college for myself; to better myself as an adult and also for the experience. In conclusion, motivation in both ways, internal and external, has been key to my own personal