Hannah identifies several occupations that reflect her identity, including walking, surfing, camping, rock sliding, yoga, socializing, being a student, and her goal of becoming an occupational therapist. She sees herself as outdoorsy, fit, adventurous, relaxed, able to interact socially, and interested in helping others. These occupations allow her to engage fully in the present moment and feel a sense of belonging. She hopes to develop strengths like calmness, focus, flexibility and health through her occupations.

1. Occupations that
reflect my identity
By Hannah George

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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/

7. 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.

8. 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/

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.