My Occupational profile
As a student in Occupational therapy, we have been introduced to occupational profiles. It is a holistic exploration of a person to discover who they are. We look at the activities that are meaningful for the unique individual. The habits, routines and rituals are determined as well as the context and environment a person engages in. Something I adore about this profession is that we see ourselves as equal to the person we are working with, we are a support system, and the person or group we may be working with will play the central role in the therapeutic relationship.
My Occupational History
My name is Nicole, and I have been experiencing the ebbs and flows of life since 1985. I grew up in a rural town in South Australia and was raised in nature, surrounded by paddocks with sheep and cows. My fondest memories are feeding baby lambs and climbing trees with my friends. I have two older sisters and am fortunate to have had loving parents. I loved playing netball and tennis and cherished my favourite football team, Collingwood. I valued my friendships through school and still have old-school friends today. My schooling was cut a little bit short in Year 12 when I moved away to Adelaide. My father passed away from a farming accident when I was 15, so I needed a change and to step away from the rural town.
In my late teenage years and early 20s, I worked in fashion retail and loved socializing and wearing beautiful dresses to nightclubs. Those years were hard mentally and emotionally, but there was also much fun during this time. When I was twenty, I moved to Melbourne; more partying, socialising and fun was had, but still searching for the missing piece of my puzzle. Another move in three years to the Gold Coast, where my occupations of daily life changed considerably. Shortly after the move, I met my husband and discovered Yoga, the missing piece of my puzzle. Yoga slowly brought my puzzle together. Practising day in and day out, it became my anchor, joy, confidence, faith, hope, peace, and way of life. My daily habits and rituals become a healthy way of being. I discovered nutritious food at the local farmers market and health stores, adventures in nature, and discovering a new sense of meaning. My priorities shifted from clubbing and dress shopping to well-being and admiration for nature.
I began studies in childcare and worked with children for nine years. This part of my life span presented challenges with mental health, discovered that I had obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety. The challenges have been my gifts because I wouldn't be where I am without them. My heart was being called in a different direction from childcare, so I studied counselling and followed the path of Youth work. Then I began my lifelong studies in Yoga. Our dear little boy was born in 2017, and I have devoted precious moments to him full-time. I found my Yoga teaching place at a community centre where I have built fond relationships since 2019. My vision was to be a beyond-blue speaker and reach more people with mental health challenges. The doors opened for this opportunity, and since the beginning of 2022, I have had the great gift of working with participants at the mental health hospital. I discovered the wisdom of Yoga therapy and have been studying therapeutic Yoga since 2020 and introduced by an inspirational teacher Maria Kirsten who delivered Yoga to grown-ups. I have been mentored through the Subtle Yoga Resilience Society with Kristine Webber since 2020. I have grown a deep interest in how Yoga can support the whole person body in body, mind and spirit.
This is where my Occupational Therapy studies have come to fruition. Yoga has given me the confidence to commit to this four-year degree. I am immersing myself in the learning experience one step at a time.
Values and interests
I value relationships based on equity. I appreciate community spirit and supporting people in need. I love my roles as a mother, dog mum, daughter, sister, friend and yoga therapist. Most importantly, I value my well-being needs of nourishing food, good sleep, movement, socializing and natural environments.
Performance patterns
Routines: Morning Yoga, sleep before 930pm every night, walk and exercise my dog Sally every day. I get Riley to school and to his different activities daily.
Habits- I make all my meals and take my lunch to work every day, I never have washing in the basket, I am always on top of the washing, I can't miss any meal, I love nourishing food, I walk the same way with Sally every day (I will mix it up now I have said
Rituals- I practice Yoga every morning, where I centre myself and deeply appreciate the practice through movement, pranayama, meditation and chanting. I must wear my mala beads when I teach yoga; it keeps me grounded.
Environment and contexts
Physical- I live in a house with my husband Terry, son Riley and our dog Sally the Whippet. I commute to work and university by car.
Social- Friendships are important to me, and I have close friends who live nearby. I am an extrovert and thrive off connecting with friends and the community. We have a tight community, and I value connecting with the neighbours.
Cultural -
I celebrate Easter and Christmas gatherings with the family. Yoga philosophy and lifestyle are my cultures, and I practice living in line with the eight limbs of Yoga.
Personal-
I am learning to juggle being a mother, wife, friend, yogi, and teacher, amongst making time for myself. Finding balance is my strength and a priority in my life.
Goals and desired outcomes
My short-term goal is to stay focused and stay on the path with my values and interests. To stay steady and enjoy the process of learning Occupational therapy. To foster relationships with the yoga participants, family and friends along the way.
The desired outcome is to embrace nature with my family and friends and develop how I deliver Yoga by implementing Occupational therapy with Yoga. Be able to have stability with my work so my husband can work less, and we can have many adventures together as a family.
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