Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of death in Croatia, and awareness of the role of occupational therapy (OT) in recovery is limited. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) provides a client-centered framework for understanding stroke recovery.            Aim: To explore and describe the various ways in which stroke survivors in Croatia conceive the recovery process and the impact of OT interventions on their daily life activities, framed within the MOHO.Method: This qualitative study used a phenomenographic approach. Data was collected through MOHO-guided semi-structured interviews and analyzed in three stages: discernment, descriptive categories, and outcome space, through abductive reasoning. Findings: The findings revealed five categories: Fluctuating from frustration to success-driven motivation, from role disruption to change in identity, from dependence to adaptive functioning, from supportive encouragement to restrictive dependence, and from basic support to holistic integration. Conclusion: Stroke survivors conceived OT as an integrative process across physical, psychosocial, and existential dimensions. MOHO-framed perspectives emphasized the need for holistic support of motivation, routines, and meaningful daily engagement. Significance: This study highlights the importance of a client-centered approach addressing physical, emotional, and social needs. Emphasizing MOHO’s relevance in tailoring interventions to individual values, while recognizing spirituality as a source of resilience.