A new direction in the conceptualization and categorization of occupation

Current conceptualizations of occupation reflect a direction in thinking that addresses societal and political needs rather than how occupation relates to human development and well‐being. The fields of occupational science and occupational therapy need to move in new directions to develop theories about occupation that matter for people. Drawing from a longitudinal study of Swedish workers who went into retirement, an alternative way to conceptualize and categorize occupation, based on people's actual experiences is proposed. Using this categorization, it is argued that some occupations are more important than others and that they contribute to well‐being to a greater degree than others.