Occupations that reflect my identity

By Hannah George

Walks This is a picture of my Mum, sister, aunty and myself while doing the Tongariro Crossing Walk. Walking in the outdoors

makes up my occupational identity as I see myself and want myself to be seen as an outdoorsy, fit person. Walking in nature allows me to do, as well as be as I am living in the moment, and can reflect on life in general. It also contributes to me becoming a fitter person. I was involved in walking from a young age as my parents used to take my siblings and I on bush walks. I Hope to always be involved in outdoor walks.

Surfing This is a picture of me (in the middle) after surfing with Dad, my sister, and her friend. I began surfing at the

end of last year. Surfing makes up my occupational identity as I see myself and want others to see me as being an outdoorsy, fit person, who enjoys doing. I enjoy surfing as it allows me to be as I forget about all other aspects of my life. It is contributing to me becoming a fitter person in the future, which is something I want to be identified as.

Camping This is a picture of the area I camped in on New Years Eve. Camping is an occupation that I been involved

in from a young age. It makes up my occupational identity because I see myself and want myself to be seen as an outdoorsy, laid back person, who does not care about materialistic possessions. I get satisfaction from camping because I feel I am able to do it well, and it also engages me, as I don’t feel the need to worry about anything other than what is happening while camping.

Rock sliding This picture is of my brother sliding down the Rere rock slide in Gisborne. I may not participate in this occupation again but I feel that it makes up my occupational identity. This is because I see myself as an adventurist who likes exploring and trying new things, and I feel that this occupation or event defines these aspects. This occupation/event also reflects that fact that I value family, as I did it with my brother and his girlfriend on my brothers birthday.

Yoga is an occupation that I feel represents who I wish to become. Through doing yoga I wish to in the future identify myself as being a calmer, focused, stronger, flexible person. Practical a more physically and mentally healthy person. I am proud to say I do yoga as I value looking after myself mentally, physically, and spiritually. Image retrieved from http://www.adiosbarbie.com/2012/03/how-yoga-makes-you-pretty/

Socialising This picture is of friends at the Matamata races. It is an occupation that reflects my identity as I see myself and would like to be known as a person who is able to interact with others and can have close friendships. Socialising reflects my value that friends are an important factor to ones wellbeing. When I socialise with friends I feel that I belong to something.

Student Being a student is an occupation that influences all areas of my life at the moment. It is an occupation that I am doing in order to become an occupational therapist. It is an occupation that is not always satisfying, as I feel that being a student doesn’t completely define who I am. But it is helping me become a better representation of who I think I really am. Image retrieved from http://blog.internationalstudent.com/2011/01/credential-evaluation-for-international-students/

Occupational Therapist This is an occupation that I hope will make up part of my identity in the future because I feel it represents the type of person I believe I am, and I want to express this to others. I think occupational therapy will suit me because I enjoy looking after others and problem solving. I also believe occupations improve physical and mental health. When experiencing this occupation on placement I felt that I belonged. I believe I will get satisfaction from doing this occupation as it is aligned with my values.Image retrieved from http://www.westshoremedcenter.org/clinical/rehabilitation/occupational-therapy.php

Squash This picture is of Taneatua squash club in Whakatane, which is where I used to be a member at. Squash is an occupation that will forever be apart of my identity because of the memories I have of Taneatua Squash Club. It was a place where I felt that I belonged because we all had a love of playing squash and socialising. I felt that I could just be myself, while becoming a more social, fitter, skilled person, which is aspects that I wanted others to identifying myself as being. After socialising and playing squash I felt satisfied with my performance and engagement. Playing squash would not be the same if I was not a member of a sociable club because I would not get the same feeling of belonging.

Travelling This picture was taken in Venice when I was travelling in Europe. Travelling is part of my identity because it reflects my open-minded and curious nature. I would to travel more in the future, and get to know other cultures as I think it would influence who I am in a good way because it would develop my culture knowledge and make me a more interesting person. I would like to be identified as someone who enjoys travelling.