Makayla Goulet Occupation Assessment Reflection OTH 501

The occupation assessment assignment made me look at occupations in a different way. In class, we have been

forced to look at occupations in their most simplest forms. From there, we have taken our basic understanding and

looked at how individuals complete these occupations. We have seen how individual ways are similar or different

from the ‘typical’ ways these occupations are completed when in their most basic form. For this assignment, I chose

the occupation of making the bed in the morning after a night’s sleep. This is a fairly simple occupation for most that

does not take much thought or effort. Therefore, I wanted to observe a specific style of making the bed and compare

how that differs from the typical way most people think this occupation is done. My grandfather was a Staff Sergeant

in the United States Army so I chose to observe the way he makes his bed each morning.

To this day, my grandfather makes his bed the same way every morning. He’s taught his wife and children to

make their bed in the same manner which has trickled down to his grandchildren. When interviewing him afterwards

about the context and meaning behind this occupation, he describes it as a habit; second-nature. He performs this

occupation in his bedroom every morning with the use of sheets, blankets, comforter, and mattress. To him, making

his bed in this style has taught him discipline, obedience, and responsibility; he values these traits the army has

instilled in him. He describes this occupation as a policy within all branches of the United States Military and

emphasized the branch of Army. He further explains this policy is enforced by the U.S. Military guidelines and has

been a policy drilled into him for years therefore, it still is to this day. When discussing the importance of doing this

occupation at this point in his life, he stated that it is a goal of his to continue doing it because it keeps him mobile,

gives him self-satisfaction, a sense of achievement, and reminds him of his service days. My grandfather is 75 years

old, consequently, another goal of his is to continue this occupation to avoid getting stiff and lazy in his older age.

When reflecting upon my experience throughout this assignment, I looked at how I was raised and now make my

bed. Within my observation of this occupation, I quickly realized that I was taught to make my bed the same way

because my mom learned it from her father so she taught it to us because it was all she knew. This assignment has

taught me that there is no right or wrong way to complete an activity or occupation; it is the preference of the person

doing it.