What is occupation?

In order to understand 'meaningful occupation' we should first clarify what the term occupation means. 

Occupations are all the things that you do – for these activities help express who you are, how you feel about yourself and how you connect with others. As Wilcock (1998) has identified, we are occupational beings. All of those everyday activities that we do as individuals, in our families and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to our lives. Occupations include things people need to, want to and are expected to do.

It's such a mind opening statement to first hear as you settle into early lectures ready to start training to become a health professional, an occupational therapist. It's in the name so shouldn't it be obvious? 

Occupation – (official definition)

“…occupation is everything people do to occupy themselves, including looking after themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure), and contributing to the social and economic fabric of their community (productivity)” (Kielhofner, 2009, p. 44).

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For most of you this isn't news, it's your daily work that Occupational Therapists use the term in the widest sense of the word. So, if occupation is everything you do, such as – driving a car, cooking, caring for yourself or others, a hobby, a sport, a paid job, or something you do for relaxation – then everyone will have a number of occupations that make up what they do and who they are. 

Have a think about the occupations you do? 

Kielhofner, G. (2009). Conceptual foundations of occupational therapy practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Wilcock, A. (1998). Reflections on doing, being and becoming. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5), 248-256.