‘Occupational transitions have many layers, thus placing occupational therapists in a unique position to help young people and families navigate this period.’
Sorry for the little delay in blogs. This time was frustrating, as it wasn’t because I had writer’s block; it was because I had too many thoughts and I didn’t know what order to post them in! Which is something that hasn’t happened in a while – I’m hoping to have a massive brain dump over the winter break I have so much I want to share in the new year!
Anyway, welcome to another one of my really drawn-out series analysing some of my book quotes. I can believe 7 months later I am only on chapter 4! But I’m giving myself some credit because you know, I have started a PhD in between!
For this quote, though I am going to approach my reflection slightly differently as you’ve read my blog going on about my transition into adulthood multiple times, I actually think that blog inspired the publishers to reach out to me I couldn’t believe how much the one blew up!! So, today I thought why not reflect on my current occupational transition, and let me tell you I certainly need to write this reflection.
Update: I wrote this reflection just over a month ago now and it was a very cathartic evening!
I feel like I wrote a blog a million years ago about how I’m getting ready to move out… yeah, that still hasn’t happened. For good reasons as since then I have met my partner Jared (he’s not a secret and has been in a few blogs but I think this is the first time I have named him on the blog). Therefore, I want to move out with him for obvious lovey-dovey reasons but also that means I won’t have to find a PA. Side note Jared and I met in 2023 just as I was looking into PA’s it was perfect timing not that I see him as a PA and he is certainly my equal partner but of course, he does a lot of care for me.
But meeting Jared has massively changed the way I think about my occupational transitions such as moving out because yes of course my disability is still a factor but it’s no longer the biggest thing I need to work around when it comes to moving out. Yes, that is a good thing! But mentally it has been quite challenging. As you all know I am disability confident and I try and use my disability as a tool and not a weapon. But my disability has always been the thing, ‘I can’t go ice skating because of my disability’, ‘I can’t move into the halls of residences because of my disability’. I’m not saying these examples are completely true because I absolutely could have moved into the halls of residences with the right support but I also wasn’t mentally ready for that and I didn’t want to admit that so my disability was the scapegoat. I know, I know me not being mentally is also disability related but what I’m saying disability related or not I would tell myself it’s okay by using the disability card.
Now, when it comes to moving out and other life stages that I’d like to do, I’m still not quite ready for them but my disability isn’t necessarily the reason. There are a few reasons, some things I’m just not ready for yet and don’t want to do and still feel quite young (probably because I’m still dependent on the people around me which stems back to disability ahhhh I’m spiralling here!). However, even the things that I don’t want to do yet, I still often beat myself up about them because I should be ready.
My very long-winded point is (sorry for my scattered reflection) disability related or not when it comes to occupational transitions that don’t go to plan we or I at least are easily unkind to ourselves. But, why? Every human and occupational being (Wilcock, 1993) is on their own path and that’s fine.
Thinking about what I’ve achieved it is beyond my wildest dreams to have a book published and be in the first year of my PhD at 25. I have achieved a lot for my age, and I was about to write ‘sorry for blowing my own trumpet’ but I’m not going to because I am proud of what I have achieved and so I should be! Yet, recently I’m focusing on what I haven’t achieved, creating a lot of negative energy and I’m not liking this outlook that I have developed. So, I am trying to be more positive, post on social media more, gosh I used to post 3 times a day and now I don’t post 3 times a month and I miss that so I’m trying to get that part of my identity back in some way!
Putting my OT hat on (although we all know we can’t OT ourselves). I understand I can’t be positive all the time and sometimes I just need to vent! But, what I do know is that I need to not be more thankful because I am but I need to relish that feeling a bit more. How privileged am, I to be thankful that people have bought my book and are reading this very brain dump? So, that’s what I’m doing, I really hope it helps with my funk, and I am sure I will update you all soon!
Yes, occupational transitions whatever it is moving schools, moving out of the family home come with a range of emotions and yes it’s fine to feel the feels. However, I must be kind to myself and not cloud myself with negativity as some things happen for a reason and the end goal will be so worth it.
If you’re still here, thank you, thank you, thank you, for reading I apologise for my chaotic thoughts in this blog!
Love always,
Georgia x
References (APA 7th):
Willcock, A. (1993). A theory of human need for occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 1, 1, 17-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.1993.9686375
