To That Reader Who Feels Alone by Rafael Villareal
Isolation, a word everyone has become familiar with over the last couple of years, is defined as “the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others”. If that definition sounds a little too familiar, it might be a sign to keep reading.
It’s a well-known fact that the lockdowns, restrictions, and the pandemic as a whole have taken a toll on people’s minds. People are isolated and trapped within the confines of their homes. The walls they are held in make them feel like there's nothing more to their lives than what’s ongoing in their homes. As we near 2 years under lockdown, it is even more important for people to see they aren’t alone in their problems. As much as the isolation may set in, dear reader; never forget that there will always be other people who understand how it feels.
Which is why reading the stories of others from the organization may allow those who feel isolated to connect and relate with others as well. Feel free to look through the open letters wherein the writers talk about their own struggles and achievements for others to look at their perspective to relate, laugh or even learn from.
The first letter talks about being on the “college hunt” and how nervous and overwhelming it may be:
“I recently got into a school abroad! Honestly, I was doubting myself a lot because the college hunting process overwhelmed me, and I thought that I wasn’t good enough to compete as an international applicant. Yet, somehow, on the day when I was doubting myself the most, I received a letter from that school without even expecting any decision to be out so soon. I realized, at that point, that everything eventually falls into place! You just have to believe in yourself and take the leap.”
This next one focuses on the feeling of starting college, and how scary and alone one may feel during this new experience:
“Entering college was really hard, especially the first week. Everyone was welcoming, yet I still felt so alone. I attended so many activities that lasted until 2 am, but I still had no friends that I could talk to about anything. It was tiring, but I just had to push through. What I learned was to find the courage to reach out because most of the time, other people are feeling the same way and there's no harm in making the first move.”
This letter talks about the stress of online class, how tiring it gets because of the amount of work given, and how them feeling alone made the writer nearly give up:
“During the past two months, school has been extremely exhausting. The number of requirements is really so overwhelming; after every requirement you finish, a new one gets assigned, and the endless cycle just continues. It's really draining, and it's so much harder considering we're isolated from the rest of the world. Honestly, with the amount of work and all the "feeling alone," it really just makes me want to give up because I am honestly so tired and sleep-deprived, but I told myself to just keep going. I held on to the hope that Christmas break was going to be soon enough, and that we'd be able to reach a time where most people would be vaccinated and cases would be lower. Then, the next thing I knew, it was December, cases were really low, and I got vaccinated. I was done with all my requirements, and I took my last exam before the break! Things might be really bad right now, but they will get better, just hold on to that hope and you can get through anything.”
The next letter is about first impressions and how one may want to change and “rebrand” themselves:
“I started school last October. Initially, I set many pointers for myself, on what first impressions I wanted to convey to my block mates, professors - what to do and what not to do. This is because I sort of wanted to "rebrand" myself, and remove some parts of myself that I thought many wouldn't want to see. Then came the first week, and as much as I tried so hard to stick to my mental reminders, it dawned on me that my mind, or heart, or whatever is at play, will always find a way to be myself. It's a waste of time trying to change the already amazing aspects of myself.”
The following one talks about the pandemic as a whole and how it made the writer feel tired and unmotivated to do the things they like to do:
“The pandemic has affected us in all possible ways, negatively as well as positively. Personally, it has negatively affected me because I have started to lose interest in the things I used to love, and more often than not, I felt unmotivated and scared of the unknown. However, these past two months, most of my friends and classmates received their COVID-19 vaccines, and it gave me a glimpse of hope that we are slowly going back to our old lives. I started getting motivated and inspired again, despite not knowing what comes next, as I should always be grateful for the things that are happening right now. With this, we should be reminded that let us not take things for granted and look at the moment we are in right now and always find a reason to be happy and inspired.”
This letter talks about how the writer pursued their interests. While others may not exactly agree with it, it is what comforts and brings them joy:
“In the last two months, I was able to develop my spirituality, hone my psychic abilities, and find my mystic community. This achievement sounds entertaining at best and downright delusional at worst, but I can explain. See, way before I got into spirituality, I was a skeptic and an atheist. Eventually, for my own personal reasons, I began to recognize that ‘not believing’ exacerbated my mental illnesses and hopelessness for life. I got into professional Tarot and Astrology a few months ago, but it was only in the last two months that I had become so invested in spirituality that metaphysical studies, witchcraft, and wellness practices had become the main plot devices of my life. I have met so many wonderful, selfless, bright individuals of varying backgrounds who have helped me understand myself and my power in ways I never thought of before. I also began to develop a better, more objective view of life and the world. It still may sound crazy and even worrisome to some, but at the end of the day, it has made me happy in a way that, for the first time, I feel is actually sustainable. I actually am excited about the future now.”
The writer of this letter talks about how they got through their finals:
“One significant thing that happened to me was getting through finals week. It was a really draining experience, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel! All my hard work and late-night studying led up to something. I can now finally have time for myself and catch up with my friends and family.”
The final letter talks about how the pandemic as a whole has made the writer feel drained and made school feel like a burden because they couldn’t their friends in person:
“Honestly, the past months or so have been difficult. Ever since the pandemic started, I began to dislike school more and more, and I guess it was because of the fact that it was an online setup. Learning 24/7 without any face-to-face interaction with my friends has been hard and honestly made school feel like a burden. School back in the years was stressful, I admit, but what made it bearable was that I had so many of my friends with me, and not being able to make memories made school really hard. All this changed though last October 2021, when I was able to get vaccinated. Not only did I get vaccinated, but the cases also lowered, restrictions eased, and my mental health got a lot better. Being able to get out of my house, go on short trips with my friends, and meeting up with them too have been the highlights of the past 2 months, and it is honestly a wish come true this Christmas season. :)”
The past two years definitely would’ve been easier without the pandemic. Without the lockdown clouding their minds and making them feel alone in their problems. Despite this never forget you will never be alone in your battles. While it feels as if there is no one to talk to about your problems, hopefully, these letters can remind you that there are others who understand and would love to help you with your problems. I can assure you, dear reader, that there will always be someone who is ready to hear and help you through what you feel, even in TD alone there are so many people who will extend their help with a smile.
So, my dear reader, feel free to ask for help, you are never alone. And most of all, best of luck to you!
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Words by Rafael Villareal, Copy Edited by Jacob Tambunting & Macy Castañeda Lee
Photo by Macy Castañeda Lee
