I enjoy being alone and I will not feel lonely. While I work, aside from my resting hours, I am always surrounded by people six days a week. There are times that I yearn to be alone. It helps me to become more prayerful and attentive during the online Masses. I have more time to recite the rosary and take some rest. I enjoy doing my own things freely. I get more time connecting with my family through video chats. I watch movies from the Philippines. I surf in the Internet and read interesting stories. I also like to listen to music and spiritual talks.
— Nove Araco
Being alone gives myself valuable time for reflection and inner peace. It is sometimes tiring to be constantly connected with people. Time spent alone could be more productive as I can make decisions on my own without being influenced by others. I can thus know about my strengths as well as weaknesses and develop my confidence. But human are social beings. We belong to a family, a society and communities. During the pandemic, I was once required to stay home on holidays. It was boring because I could not go out to church for prayers or for my favourite walk. Although I often love to be alone I felt like fighting an enemy because of the social safety requirements.
— Melanie Debuque
Feeling lonely is sometimes normal specially for us migrant workers who are far from our family and loved ones. However, we have the power to overcome lonelness. I take this opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with the Lord because in the silence of my surroundings I can hear his voice in my heart. Aside from addressing my spiritual needs, I spend my time alone in recreational activities like walking or jogging outside.
— Maria Dela Cruz
Being content with the time alone can free us from the need to follow others. When we are alone, we discover our own strength. Sometimes we may rely on others too much. We tend to expect people around us to give us important things: advice, affection, love or approval. We consult experts to solve our problems. But sometimes, when we look deeply at our hearts, we may know what we really need to do. The more self-reliant we are, the better we can feel about ourselves. We do not always need others to make us feel good. It is much better to rely on ourselves. Not in a selfish way but in an emotional way. And as a result, we are more independent and able to love others around us.
— Nanette Olinan
Loneliness can creep in to anyone’s feeling at random times. It is usually rooted in the past or can also be an effect of a certain situation before us. It is then possible to feel lonely specially when we are alone and have no one to talk to. During the pandemic I was once not allowed to go out or socialise with my friends or other people. I missed my Church life but I could not go to attend Mass or other activities like Bible studies. My process of learning and growth was halted. These situations can be emotionally and spiritually draining and can lead one into stress and loneliness.
In any case I must learn to adjust myself to the situation. I told myself that I can turn the situation into opportunities. I browsed over the Internet to look for information that added to my knowledge. Sometimes I played online games that could train the sharpness of my mind. I read books or chat with my family and friends. And I did not realise that the time passed by so fast.
I may be alone, but peaceful and hopeful. I believe that God the giver of life is faithful in his promise to be always with us.
— Maricar Pajartin
Days off are very important for us. We can meet our friends and relatives and attend community gatherings only once a week. Yet being trapped in my employer’s home during the pandemic is a big challenge for me. I feel sad and lonely. I feel the lack of freedom and my boredom attacks me. I need to do something, like listening to music or reading, to fight the boredom.
— Noralyn Realin
