My asters came second. That was the start of it. The seeds of my thinking were from a personal experience of entering some flowers I had grown and nurtured from a packet of seeds in the local village garden and craft show. It is surprising how some life experiences can have a significant meaning and impact on future events. Only with reflection and deeper analysis can the evidence be uncovered (Schon 1983).

Growing up in a family with seven siblings in a small market town, I felt my roots were very working class. When I married at 18 and moved into a small village, I seemed to be on the outside of what I thought was a fairly middle-class culture. The emphasis here is on my own perception and related lack of confidence (see Chapter 5 and Chapter 14). With a young family of three sons I met with other young mothers but I often felt out of my social depth, whatever that was or is. It seems much less important these days, if it is important at all. After returning to full-time employment and having the opportunity to train as an occupational therapist, my attitudes started to change.

My thoughts and feelings about being an outsider in my local culture also changed. I think these had shackled me, to a degree. Through the experiences of employment and education my self-confidence has grown, I am much less concerned about class difference and my place within it. I think this is related to gains in self-worth and confidence.

This is an interesting concept, given the work I now do as an occupational therapist working in the community mental health service. People who have mental health needs very often also have difficulty with low self-esteem and self-confidence. Just working on these areas alone can be helpful in promoting mental health. Stigmatized by having mental health problems, people often feel separate and different from their local culture (Department of Health, 1999 and College of Occupational Therapists, 2007).