For OFWS it is tremendously difficult to be alone in a new place, working in a new environment, new job, and new boss. Adapting a new culture is even difficult. The term Loneliness is not same as Being Alone. Loneliness is considered as a painful feeling of being isolated from the rest of the world, disconnected or cut off. The feeling therefore, is that of being away from home – miles away from loved ones. Homesick may be a more appropriate description.

The feeling of they don’t’ belong for a time, they don’t’ know how to approach or having a fear that they might be rejected. But for all bad feelings there are always ways of overcoming it. Because if not, it may lead to more serious emotional disturbances, such as self-pity, lose hope and even depression. Some often feel anxiety, overly self-critical and self-absorbed and unhappy.

Overcoming Loneliness

• Face reality. Before planning to go abroad, you should expect the unexpected. You can’t expect for the new environment to adjust for you. You should possess the value of being flexible.
• Be optimistic. Always look to the brighter, be glad and thankful for the rare opportunity that you’re enjoying and to your new job. It has something to do with your attitude, just avoid thinking negative, learn to approach new people, make friends with them and develop relationship.
• Take the advantage of learning something new. Being in a new place means being independent, this is the perfect time wherein you can do more of the things you want to do. The time to focus and know more about yourself. You’re new place offers a lot, learn their culture, their dialects; try to practice their ways of living.
• Get involved in activities. You can try a new recreational activity; it could be physical activity like exercise or learning their sports. Even teaching them Philippine sports. Be adventurous enough, but always put restrictions or limitations of the things you want to do.

Keep yourself busy. This is in fact a tested way to overcome loneliness. But on the contrary, avoid being stress. Being busy is just making your work done at the end of the day. Meeting your quota, it’s boosting your performance but consider also day-off. If you have day-off you can do a lot of things like making a new arrangements in your room, chat with your families, picnics etc.