Many factors affect the lives of every Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) around the world. From among these factors, homesickness proves to be one of the most challenging. Others, who are faced with more serious predicaments at work, are made worse when homesickness creeps in. Almost always, it is the seriousness of these predicaments which brings them to the feeling of homesickness. Such emotional state of an OFW could lead to severe depression if not dealt with accordingly, and could even cause him to lose his job. However, just like any problem that anyone usually encounters, there are approaches which can be applied as you deal with it:
1. Acknowledge the feeling - Accept that it is bound to strike you at any moment that you leave your home and set foot on your new quarters. No man or woman who is in his/her normal state of mind will not miss his loved ones, families, and friends once he/she is separated from them. Even the most emotionally stable men are not spared from the feeling of homesickness. Knowing that it is a normal experience for anyone who is far away from home, acknowledging that such feeling makes it easier for anyone to accept it.
2. Communicate with your family - Be reminded that they are the reason why you are making this sacrifice, and that they are also the reason why you would survive any worst case scenario. We are now in the modern times where all possible and convenient means to communicate with our loved ones and families can be accessed to. Technology provides us the capability to interact with them in many ways using a computer, a mobile phone, and a tablet through an internet connection or subscription. By using any of these gadgets, you can communicate with them through instant messaging, Emails, VoiP, phone calls, writing letters, and through social networks at anytime.
2. Communicate with your family - Be reminded that they are the reason why you are making this sacrifice, and that they are also the reason why you would survive any worst case scenario. We are now in the modern times where all possible and convenient means to communicate with our loved ones and families can be accessed to. Technology provides us the capability to interact with them in many ways using a computer, a mobile phone, and a tablet through an internet connection or subscription. By using any of these gadgets, you can communicate with them through instant messaging, Emails, VoiP, phone calls, writing letters, and through social networks at anytime.
3. Socialize with OFW co-workers like you would with your friends back home - Once in awhile invite other OFW to join you for a home cooked meal. Create gatherings that other OFWs in your workplace may look forward to joining like: an excursion on your rest days. The difficulty of working in a foreign country, and being away from your family, could invite you to get melancholic and be unhappy, but you can choose to look at things positively that you will feel better and encourage you to persevere.
4. Try new things – Doing things that are new to you can provide you with excitement. Try a dish that you haven’t tried before or go to famous places that you haven’t explored yet in the country where you are deployed . The idea is to bring excitement into your life to avoid finding yourself sulking inside your room at your free time. The secret is by keeping your hands busy and your mind preoccupied. Homesickness is a state of the mind, and it can readily strike you if your mind is idle.
4. Try new things – Doing things that are new to you can provide you with excitement. Try a dish that you haven’t tried before or go to famous places that you haven’t explored yet in the country where you are deployed . The idea is to bring excitement into your life to avoid finding yourself sulking inside your room at your free time. The secret is by keeping your hands busy and your mind preoccupied. Homesickness is a state of the mind, and it can readily strike you if your mind is idle.
5. Find new things to discover - Looking for new things to learn from can arouse your interest and keep your mind busy. The internet can provide you with a vast source of data, pictures, videos, and other information where you can learn anything from. Who knows? The new thing you might stumble upon may become your new hobby. You can learn how to play computer games, cook specialty dishes, play the guitar or even watch movies for free. You can even find cheaper ways to send money online to the Philippines. Methods that can be more affordable to you while availing of a better exchange rate for your money transfers. You can also learn more about social media sites like Facebook.
Filipinos are known to be resilient and are capable of finding reasons to smile amidst difficulties. Their hard-working nature are fueled by their dreams for a better life and a brighter future for their loved ones. As long as they don’t lose sight of their dreams, they can overcome any challenge which crosses their path.
Filipinos are known to be resilient and are capable of finding reasons to smile amidst difficulties. Their hard-working nature are fueled by their dreams for a better life and a brighter future for their loved ones. As long as they don’t lose sight of their dreams, they can overcome any challenge which crosses their path.
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