Image Credit: Nicolas Raymond
This article is written by Jeserie Rebamba who worked in Singapore as a domestic helper for 9 years.
5 Tips for Domestic Helpers to Cope with Homesick
Call me Jess. I have lived in Singapore for 9 years and I tell you, it’s not easy to be away from home. New place, unknown people, new food, new environment, everything is new. Everyone who’s been away from home will always feel homesick. First, let’s define homesickness. Homesickness is a feeling of anxiety or emotional distress from feeling disconnected from familiar people and places. It is normal to feel homesick. But there’s a way to cope up with homesickness.
These 5 tips will help you to cope homesickness especially for domestic helper who is working for the first time.
- Bring something that reminds you of home. Since homesickness is feeling isolated from home, bring something that reminds you of home like family pictures, your favourite book or your favourite clothes. I remember, I brought pictures of my family, friends and my diary. Whenever I feel sad, I look into those picture and I feel connected again at home.
- Keep yourself busy. When you are not doing anything, your mind wanders and may think of your family back home. Keep yourself busy by doing your work. If you already finished your work, you may want to have some hobby like reading books, sewing, learning new language or trying new recipes.
- Immerse yourself. You are already in a new place so the best thing to cope your homesickness is to immerse yourself. Look around at your new place. Try new food. Explore your surrounding. Visit the popular tourist place in your new area. Connect with the locals and starts with family you are living. You can also meet new fellow friends on your rest day.
- Keep in touch with your family. The best way to combat homesickness is to keep in touch with your family. Keep connected with them by communicating with them once a week. With the help of advance technology, you can message them on most of the apps.
- Write a journal. I always bring a small notebook with me. I write there what’s the reason why I am here in Singapore, what I want to accomplish here, list of the things that I want to send home, and I also write what I feel there. My journal also serves as my list of contact of information from home.
If you are interested to work in Singapore, join the Best Maid Agency in Singapore and register your interest to work in Singapore.