OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Our Family Biome
Designing Our Family Biome
Considering these five elements of a family biome we can observe, assess and effect changes that supports our family health and wellbeing.
I have created Our Family Biome as a way to consider our family's wellbeing, by looking at six areas of collective life; our kokoro, our treasures, our habitat, our occupations, our routines, and our community.
Our Kokoro
Our 'kokoro' is a Japanese word that expresses how our human actions in the outside world, are affected by our own inner world - our inner heart, mind, emotion and spirit. Our words, actions, and activities coming from our inner world, affect our wellbeing.
Our Ryhthm
Our rhythm comprises of our bio-psycho-social rhythm of daily needs and tasks, weekly, monthly and annual activities. They include the things we have to do, want to do and need to do. Living to our rhythm can be fulfilling and rewarding for ourselves and others.
Our Treasures
Our individual and family life-giving values that we hold dear to us. When we live out our values in our daily life
with open hearts, a curious mind, thoughtful actions and with grace and understanding toward one another, we see one another, can connect and live peacefully.
Our Habitat
Our habitat is so interesting!
We are a part of nature too. Are you in an urban, bush or coastal setting? Do you see nature close by in a garden or far away in the sky, mountain, sea? Where we live is our habitat and includes our indoor and outdoor spaces that we call home. Our home is our unique habitat.
Our Community
Our community are the people around us with whom we share our everyday lives. There are those close to us, our friends and family, our supports, school, work and those with whom we celebrate, share our leisure activities, our special occasions, and our meaningful moments
Our Occupations
Our occupations hold the potential to order our lives, keep us happy, healthy and connected to ourselves and to others. All that we do on an ordinary (extraordinary!) day has an effect! Individuals and families do life together - let's do life well by prioritising our occupations and honoring our purpose in life.
Our Family Biome - Create
In the busy hubbub of life, our family can feel messy and chaotic at times with hopefully some sweetness, laughter and moments of connection that feel warm and just right. Family life requires so much of us at any one time. So many things to do. So many individual needs. Being authentic and real about what works and doesn't work, what matters and doesn't matter and allowing space for change and flexibility each and every day and week is a skill and an art. Even when things feel like they're not going well, often they are; seeing the gems in life, in our situation can bring moments of understanding, clarity, peace and opportunities for growth.