The pre-Colonial Philippines was much like neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia, and Counseling still shows a vestige of indigenous help-seeking through Superstition, Reliance on elders, faith healers and fortune-tellers, and Belief in the Supernatural (Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J., 1992). A humanistic counseling Psychologist named Carl Rogers stated that he does not want to instruct others how to behave, and it not necessary to believe in God or in any religion to be a good spiritual person. Sigmund Freud had argued that God is a projection of a childish wish for protection from a cruel and uncertain world. He viewed religion as a severe enemy of an individual's worldview (Pérez-Álvarez, 2018). The concept of a worldview has played an essential role in psychoanalysis, critical theory, and nineteenth- and twentieth-century hermeneutics. Freud viewed religion as a neurosis that an individual must overcome on his way from childhood to maturity (Galek, 2015). In addition, B.F. Skinner denied that he had to attend a daily mass at Hamilton College as an undergraduate, while Albert Ellis postulated that less religious people are more emotionally healthy. In that intellectual climate, we can conclude that most psychologists did not consider integrating spirituality into the practice of psychotherapy (Villani, D., Sorgente, A., Iannello, P., & Antonietti, A. 2019). Jungian Psychology emphasizes growth after midlife and acknowledges religion as an integral part of a person's life. Carl Jung's theory is one of the most famous traditional psychological approaches. His approach is commonly feared and misunderstood. Some practitioners view his idea as irrational and non-scientific due to symbols, dreams, archetypes, unconscious, and the collective unconscious. Some experts declared Jungian Psychology as a cult. Jung was president of the Guild of Pastoral Psychology (Kim-Prieto, C., & Miller, L. 2018). They are committed to integrating the practices of psychology and theology. Jung argued that evil is a result of a person's ability to make conscious judgments. When an individual project rejected parts of themselves onto others, they see those other persons as evil. Continued psychological development in adulthood requires moral development. Integration of one's shadow means "seeing one's moral faults" and is the "equivalent of taking responsibility for one's own life." Moreover, Spiritual Counseling was slow to develop because ministers and psychotherapists are not always willing to collaborate. In the 20th century, religion struggled to demonstrate its relevance, and many qualified spiritual counselors have used the latest modern psychotherapy techniques and concentrated on symptom relief. Soul and spirit should be treated as one with the mind and body. Therapies should care for the entire person (King, P. E., & Boyatzis, C. J., 2015).

In this article, a Guidance Counselor or School Counselor is defined as a professional who provides valuable support to clients in reaching their academic goals, social and personal development, and career development. They are not the ones who punish or demerit a student's undesirable behavior, and they should not be seen as school police where misbehaving children are brought. Their office must be depicted as a "safe place" for a child. Guidance counselors do not lead a class, but they affect student success as much as any teacher. They help students survive difficult situations, peer pressure, depression, and other problems that hinder success. I want the readers to help me erase the stigma attached to Guidance Counselors. Let us give the next generation a whole new perspective on this. They are the first line of mental health professionals a student can approach. If a child is trained to get help when needed, we will have a new generation who is not afraid to bounce back from difficulties in life. They will not be scared to consult a mental health professional, and these children can pass on their optimistic perspective to the next generation. In 1521, the Philippines was rediscovered by Ferdinand Magellan, which began the Spanish Colonization, resulting mainly in religious conquest: 80% of Filipinos became Roman Catholics. The Spanish Colonization was followed by the American occupation from 1898 to 1941. The United States strongly influenced Philippine public schools and the government. The language of instruction in the country is English, and tremendous respect is given to anything American over anything Filipino (. In 1940-1960, the Bureau of Public schools sent Filipino teachers and officials to England, Europe, and the US to learn counseling practices. Western techniques are then brought to the country on their arrival. Counseling as conceived in the United States began in the Philippines during the American occupation in 1913-1934. Two (2) colleges in Manila provide guidance services geared toward identifying professions and opportunities for employment. The first psychological clinic was established at the University of the Philippines. The growth of Guidance and Counseling was hampered by World war II. Before 2004, counselors and other mental health workers did not need a license to practice or a regulatory board to ensure adequate training. Guidance, Counseling, and an effective Guidance Program are vital in a person's holistic development. Studies suggest that it improves the discipline and academic performance of an individual (Osakwe, 2016). Professors and teachers must employ dynamic interactions of a group of students approach. Building a solid relationship between the students, parents, counselors, teachers, and administrators leads to effective implementation of the programs. School counselors advocate for students' well-being, and they are valuable resources for a person's educational advancement. Guidance and Counseling are interrelated and cannot be overly separated (Nyarangi, 2015). Humans are self-determining creatures. They have an innate desire for independence, autonomy, and self-destruction (Mugabe, J. & Maphosa, D., 2016). Guidance and Counseling are essential in managing people's discipline, perspective, and lifestyle across all societies (Moyo, G., Khewu, N. & Bayaga, 2016). It will help individuals understand themselves, bounce back from difficult life experiences, determine the factors that contribute to the development of a problem, and learn suitable ways of resolving or avoiding the situations that may lead to negative outcomes. An effective counselor must integrate Guidance and Counseling theories into their counseling framework to be efficient and effective (Chifwambe, 2019). Social Learning Theory postulates that elicited behavior results from an interactive association between inner processes and environmental variables and is not solely determined by internal drives (Bandura, 1986). A person must learn to use their insight and foresight to solve a problem since behaviors are influenced by an environment's verbal and imaginable representation. A process called "modeling" through observational learning can also help the betterment of an individual (Dhaliwal, 2015). Students can acquire competencies such as academic, social, and personal through modeling. The conviction of an individual that particular behavior will produce a specific outcome and a person's judgment their ability to plan, execute and maintain a particular behavior is called "Efficacy expectation" (Eliamani, P., Mghweno, L. & Baguma, P., 2015). Expectations influence a person's choice of activities and environment settings. Determining student efficacy expectations in the prevailing environment is essential. Bandura suggests that motivations are powered by anticipated future reinforcement and that someone's limits of expectation efficacy can control one's learning extent. He proposed that counselors must bear the skills and knowledge on how theories of system desensitization, modeling, efficacy expectation, guided participation, and phobia reduction can be applied in the practice of guidance and Counseling (Ndagire, 2018). An effective guidance counselor can relate and empathize with the students—the ones who will not judge them. Genuine interest in helping other people is the best attribute they should have because Counseling is an arduous task. Counselor becomes an emotional sponge for other people. They should help without asking anything in return. They must be equipped with dedication and perseverance to cover different tasks in the guidance office. They are the listening ear, shoulder to lean and cry on by parents, adolescents, and kids. They have to work hand in hand with the admin, teachers, and parents. The teacher and counselor should complement each other and compensate. Moreover, Guidance Program is a holistic program intended to assist in developing a person's self-awareness, educational growth, psychosocial development, and career maturity (Mwangi, 2016). The program's agenda is based on the needs of the students anchored with the Principles of Guidance and Counseling. Respect, dignity, uniqueness, positive self-image, goals, diverse needs of all students, equity and equality to the clients, collaboration with the school administrator, students, teachers, and parents, and learning curves must be considered in creating such a program. Clients need appropriate personal and social skills to achieve the goals of the educational program (Krieger, 2015). The program must have tailor-fitted techniques and activities to address clients' needs (Hansen, 2015). Comprehensive Guidance programs must integrate intervention programs for individuals who have manifestations of mental and behavioral problems. It must provide students with functional and operational services that will further identify their strengths and weaknesses towards their academic success. It should engage them towards productivity, commitment, and loyalty to the school's vision and mission. It must assist the students in clarifying and evaluating issues. It must determine and develop students' abilities, aptitudes, and interests. It must raise self-awareness and assist students in making choices and adjustments for them to become productive. Strengthening collaboration between and among community members in the framework of shared leadership and management is vital in the implementation of this program. Counselors must have the determination in the proper execution of these services, and they must have the ability to touch the lives of other people positively. References: Chifwambe, G. (2019). Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Mathematical Performance among grade 11 Pupils in Lusaka Urban (Unpublished M.A Thesis) university of Zambia. Dhaliwal, M. (2015). Teacher Perceptions and Management of Challenging Student Behaviour in Primary school classrooms. Unpublished Med. Thesis, Unitec Institute of Technology. Eliamani, P., Mghweno, L. & Baguma, P. (2015). Access to Guidance and Counseling Services and its Influence on School Life, Attitude towards Studies and Career Choice. African Journal of Guidance and Counseling. Vol 1(1) pp.001-015. Hansen, J. (2015). Relationship between Teacher Perception of Positive Behaviour Interventions Support and the Krieger, N. (2015). Errorless Classroom management for students with severe conduct problems: A staff training approach. Unpublished Phd Thesis. University of Toronto. International Journal of Applied Psychology 2018, 8(1): 6-11 11 Moyo, G., Khewu, N. & Bayaga, A. (2016). Disciplinary Practices in Schools and Principles of Alternatives to Corporal Punishment Strategies. South African Journal of Education. 34 (1) pp1-14. Mugabe, J. & Maphosa, D. (2016). Methods of Curbing Learner Misconduct in Zimbabwean Secondary Schools. Journal on New Trends in Education and their Implications. Vol. (1), Pp. 111-122. Mwangi, J. (2016). Influence of Alternative Disciplinary Measures on Students Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Laikipia West District, Kenya. Unpublished M.Ed Thesis, University of Nairobi. Ndagire, B (2018). Management of Students’ Discipline in Private Secondary Schools in Entebbe Municipality Wakiso District. Unpublished M.A Thesis, Makerere University. Nyarangi, E. (2015). Challenges Facing Effective Implementation of Guidance and Counseling Programs in Selected Institutes of Technology in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Unpublished MED. Research Report, Egerton University. Osakwe, R (2016). Principal’s Management Techniques for resolving Disciplinary problems in Nigerian Public Secondary schools. Journal of Education and Practice. Vol. 4, pp.50-57.

The coronavirus outbreak has significantly affected all people around the world. Thousands of individuals have lost their jobs as businesses have been forced to reduce their workforce and some temporarily or permanently closed their operations. Generally, economic growth declined dramatically. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak of COVID-19 can be stressful for vulnerable populations such as older adults, children, healthcare workers, front liners, and those with existing mental health issues. Unfortunately, we have all been affected physically, mentally, and financially. And all of these are just the consequences of the pandemic. How will we recover from these challenges, losses, and with this pandemic in general? Being resilient is one way to move forward and get through this pandemic. As defined in the context of psychology, resilience is the person’s ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, challenges, threats, or significant sources of stress. Becoming resilient in this time of pandemic provides a clear and positive outlook in times of adverse situations, helps you grow and overcome these difficulties, gives you the emotional strength to deal with the problems, adapt to the situation, and finally move forward. There are four ways to build resilience: . Positive Mindset - the way you think plays a huge role in how you feel and deal with your challenges in life. Training your mind to turn negative thoughts into positive ones will help you interpret the situation realistically and respond effectively. Support System - Sharing your difficulties with someone you trust and someone who understands you is a reminder that you are not alone. Talking with them can also help you view a different perspective that will enable you to manage your difficulties better. The support system can be your friends, families, co-workers, or anyone with the same battles as you have. Coping strategies - try to explore different coping strategies that best suit the situation you are going through because different coping strategies work differently for every individual. These coping skills can help you manage your emotions, feelings, and the situation in general. Solution planning - Create a list of realistic solutions to your problems. The list will help you weigh your options in terms of effectiveness and utilize your strengths and all your resources. Creating a list of solutions to every problem is one step in moving forward towards growth. Building resilience requires great time, effort, and dedication. It is not inborn nor inherent, but it can constantly be developed, enhanced, and improved through our experiences and the environment. References: Cherry, K. (2021). How Resilience Helps When Coping With Challenges. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-resilience-2795059 Hurley, K. (2020). What Is Resilience? Your Guide to Facing Life’s Challenges, Adversities, and Crises. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/ World Health Organization. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on people's livelihoods, their health, and our food systems. https://www.who.int/news/item/13-10-2020-impact-of-covid-19-on-people%27s-livelihoods-their-health-and-our-food-systems American Psychological Association. (2012). Building your resilience. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience

It cannot be underestimated how important mental health care is. In an article written by Newland (2014), the author stressed out how many people suffer from mental health disorders and how few of them receive the necessary intervention. Although not much attention is given in the field, mental health is vital to one’s overall health and well-being. According to Brennan (2021), mental and physical health are positively related. This means that improvements in one’s mental health result in improved physical health, and the other way around. This highlights how vital it is for everyone to take good care of their mental health. However, are you not wondering if mental health care is still the same as before? Most of us have this prototype of mental health care in mind: comfortable-looking clinics where people receive their therapy. When you hear the word psychotherapy, does it not remind you of clinics and psychologists on a white coat as is usually shown in films? This is the common picture of mental health care among individuals, but with the onset of technology, mental health care is transitioning to a more portable platform. By portable, it means that mental health care is now available on phones through mobile applications. Mental health is being transferred to a new platform that most of us use: mobile phones. In September of 2020, Kajitani, et al. developed a mental health application for their study. The application they developed features self-help and referral functions. Their goal was to test the short-term effect of a mobile mental health application on students’ mental health (Kajitani, 2020). The result of their two-week-long study was that using the mental health application they developed improved the mental health of the students (Kajitani, et al., 2021). Many similar studies have been performed and all of them show positive results. In one systematic review of 14 studies regarding the effectiveness of mental health mobile applications, it was found that mobile applications which aim to improve the mental health of the public are indeed effective in doing so (Hwang, et al., 2021). Similarly, Leech et al. (2021) found through their review that there is a promising potential with the use of mobile applications to improve mental health. Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, most of our activities are regulated online. Thankfully, the current innovations of our time paved the way for a new platform for mental health care. As of this moment, the transition to mobile mental health care appears to be a reassuring field. Although limited, the data at hand provides hope for effective and efficient portable mental healthcare. To date, the field is still young and more studies are needed to fully learn about its benefits and risks. Thus far, among the questions raised about these mental health mobile applications involves uncertainty about their effectiveness, privacy concerns, and even the ethicality of such applications (Bauer, et al., 2020). With more research, these questions and uncertainties can better be answered and solved. If this field will continue to grow, we can expect it to bring many possibilities in the mental health field. We can imagine psychotherapy and psychological assessment provided through the functionalities of mobile applications. We can envision people with self-help applications on their phones to improve and monitor their mental health. Mobile phones will no longer be used only to play games, watch videos, and communicate with people; phones will have a bigger purpose, a more important function. Our devices will contain a layer of ourselves deeper than those thin and lightweight gadgets. Although a lot more possibilities await as we explore this field, none of them have been guaranteed. After all, mental healthcare is pretty complicated. While the field is still young, caution is much needed and asked both from the practitioners and the public. Our mental health is also as significant as any other issues (e.g physical health etc.). Hence, if we are very careful when it comes to what we do with our bodies, the same care must be given to our mental health. Although the results show great promise, everyone must be careful enough when utilizing applications currently available in the market. Similarly, mental health professionals should also be careful when utilizing mental health applications and they must provide their patients with enough information regarding the known risks and benefits of such. References Bauer, M., Glenn, T., Geddes, J., Gitlin, M., Grof, P., Kessing, L.V., Monteith, S., Faurholt‑Jepsen, M., Severus, E., & Whybrow, P. C. (2020). Smartphones in mental health: a critical review of background issues, current status and future concerns. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 8(2), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-019-0164-x Brennan, D. (2021, March 29). How does mental health affect physical health. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-does-mental-health-affect-physical-health Hwang, W. J., Ha, J. S., Kim, M. J. (2021). Research trends on mobile mental health application for general population: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 2459. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052459 Kajitani, K., Higashijima, I., Kaneko, K., Matsushita, T., Fukumori, H., Kim, D. (2020). Short-term effect of a smartphone application on the mental health of university students: A pilot study using a user-centered design self-monitoring application for mental health. PLoS ONE, 15(9), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239592 Leech, T., Dorstyn, D., Taylor, A., & Li, W. (2021). Mental health apps for adolescents and young adults: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Children and Youth Services Review, 127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106073 Newland, J. (2014). The importance of mental health. The Nurse Practitioner, 39(10), 8. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000453648.45942.d0

Who would have thought that during this pandemic the word “plantito” and “plantita” would suddenly come to life? Just surf through the net and you will see countless videos and articles about plants: how to take care of them, what plant best suits me, and many more plant questions and answers. Like a grass that grows and pops up everywhere and anywhere, the Plantito/ Plantita trend also grew. Everyone suddenly became interested in planting and gardening. Morning news and webinars became filled with plant-related topics. If you are one of those who fell in love with plants and gardening, you are not alone. But have you ever wondered, do plants actually help us stay sane during this pandemic? According to research, interacting with indoor plants help reduce stress and anxiety (Lee, et al., 2015). In their study, Lee et al. (2015) found that people engaging in gardening have reduced autonomic response which is usually triggered when an individual is stressed. This means that when people interact with plants, there is a reduction in bodily response associated with stress and anxiety. Additionally, Hall and Knuth (2019) reviewed past studies regarding the benefits of plants on one’s mental health. Among the most prominent results were: reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress; increase in happiness; and improvement in self-esteem (Hall & Knuth, 2019). This study points out the many benefits of taking care of a plant. During a time when stress is an outpouring, plants can help to alleviate negative feelings. Plants were also found to have a positive effect on stress by increasing brain activity which is usually reduced due to stress (Hassan, 2018). Hassan and co-authors (2018) said that planting-related activities have an effect on the brain that is comparable to taking anxiety-reducing medication. It is as if plants and gardening are the panaceas to stress and anxiety and the elixirs to improved mental health. Another group of researchers found that putting plants on the office desk helps enhance the working environment (Toyoda, et al., 2020). In the same research, it was found that plants aided the workers in pausing from their work which helped reduce stress (Toyoda, et al., 2020). The researchers were even bold enough to say that there will be an improvement in the employee’s mental health if they will be allowed to take “nature breaks' ' (Toyoda, et al., 2020). Similarly, Genjo et al. (2019) found that plants do have a relaxing effect and plants help reduce fatigue in the workplace. These two research points out how plants can help in workers’ mental health and functioning. These also emphasize that the benefits of plants extend beyond home life, but also work life. To date, there is a psychological intervention called “green care” wherein the focus is on the utility of nature as a way of therapy (Cuthbert, et al., 2021). Green care was found to be effective in improving the mental health of young people in America diagnosed with a mental disorder (Nosbusch, 2016). Even so, currently, there is limited research regarding green care, but the existing studies show promising results (Cuthbert, et al., 2021). Since the interest in plants and gardening grew, more research regarding green care is worth it. With all the information previously mentioned, it is not surprising how gardening suddenly boomed during the pandemic. We all know how stressful the COVID-19 outbreak was and how stressful it still is. By taking care of plants, we can improve our mental health and create an avenue to reconnect with ourselves and with nature. For students stuck in an online class and for workers who remain on a work-from-home basis, now is the time to plant your favorite plant and let them bloom along with your good mental health. Time to turn your environment greener and surround yourself with green buddies. May it be the easy-to-care-for Golden Pothos or the dazzling Mayana, let gardening be one of the activities you do to help boost your mental health and relieve stress. Grab your shovel and your seedlings and plant your way towards healthier mental health; add planting to the list of the things you can do when stressed out. References Cuthbert, S., Kellas, A., & Page, L. (2021). Green care in psychiatry. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 218(2), 73-74. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2020.166 Genjo, K., Matsumoto, H., Ogata, N., & Nakano, T. (2019). Feasibility study on mental health-care effects of plant installations in office spaces. Japan Architectural Review, 2(3), 376–388. https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12098 Hall, C. & Knuth, M. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: A review of the emotional and mental health benefits of plants. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 37(1), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-37.1.30 Hassan, A., Qibing, C., Tao, J., Bing-Yang, L., Nian, L., Li, S., Tng, L.Y., Li, J.Z., & Ziyue, S.G. (2018). Effects of plant activity on mental stress in young adults. American Society for Horticultural Science, 53, 104-109. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12447-17 Lee, M.S., Lee, J., Park, B.J., Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 34(21). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-015-0060-8 Nosbusch, B. (2016). Benefits of green care for youth with a mental health diagnosis. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/645 Toyoda, M., Yokota, Y., Barnes, M., & Kaneko, M. (2020). Potential of a small indoor plant on the desk for reducing office workers’ stress. American Society for Horticultural Science, 30(1), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04427-19

Only an individual who resides in a cave is allowed to not know Tiktok. This social media platform appears almost everywhere within the modern cyberculture. What is fascinating is that contents from these social applications even reach other sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. To put it plainly, Tiktok is everywhere. Its popularity is also pretty evident with its audience and users; the elderly, middle-aged people, teens, children, and even infants! With this being said, none can defy the power of Tiktok in our present popular culture. But why is it addicting? Firstly, TikTok allows users to meet freedom and creativity (Tirado, 2020). What makes an application addicting is that it allows users to navigate the interface freely while using amazing algorithms which satisfy the user’s interests and passion. Aside from this, Tiktok is a home of numerous creative features that allow individuals to make content - the only limit is the imagination! Through this, people become hooked, trying to perfect every idea so that they can lay it out in the public. Subsequently, gratification theory also plays a role (Koetsier, 2020). Since humans have a need for connection and validation, Tiktok has become an avenue for social gratification. The exchange of compliments, endless conversations, and rotation of newly-found culture fill up consumers’ social life facets. Tiktok is definitely past its dominant peak in the industry and society but its power probably will last for a long time. The gratification of manly social needs is alright but do not ever forget to do everything in moderation! References: Ji, R. (2021). Psychological Effects of TikTok. Retrieved from https://chsprospector.com/3794/a-e/psychological-effects-of-tiktok/ Koetsier, J. (2020). The Science Behind Tiktok’s Success. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/01/18/digital-crack-cocaine-the-science-behind-tiktoks-success/?sh=27f4ba5978be Tirado, B. (2020). The Psychology of TikTok. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-leaders/202012/the-psychology-tiktok

Everyone needs love and everyone deserves it, too. This primordial thirst of people to give out and to receive the mentioned social concept makes it easy to dip themselves in the stream of uncertainties and unsteady waters. With this said, not every trial to show affection ends in a good way; some even lead to demise even before existing. However, a failure of the little spark’s glow is not always due to the notion of “falling out of love.” Sometimes, humans just extinguish the flame and disappear without a trace just like a phantom - the phenomenon of ghosting. Ghosting is when someone forms a connection and then decides to just put an end to the string of love (Fader, 2020). This occurrence begins with passion then leads to communication - this is where ghosting usually happens. Derived from the word itself, this unfortunate affair turns one side of the party into the persona of a ghost. Disappearing without a trace. Without any warning. Ghosting is actually an extremely cruel thing to do (Coffee, 2018). This is due to the fact that it is done by only one side of the line, however, the consequences are carried by the other innocent side. Ghosting usually generates a road of suffering from the person who experienced it. Myriads of negative questions will prey on the mind of the ghosted one. Due to this phenomenon, victims start to envision the worst possible scenarios, resulting in them often blaming themselves (Fader, 2020). So much for the pain of this no-closure breakup system, why do people ghost? Grounding from numerous new studies regarding this subject, ghosters tend to possess what we call the “avoidant attachment style,” and this indicates that instead of talking things out or expressing sincere emotions, people who have this attachment style choose to just go and walk away (Gholipour, 2019). This explains why ghosters just vanish into thin air without even saying farewells. For people who ghost, leaving and running away is the best thing to do if they are unsure of their potential partner. Yes, finding love and giving love is and will always be an enormous part of humans but it should always be noted that the road to a perfect romance is nonexistent. There will always be bumps along the way. Humans are different in every sense of the word and due to this, humans will always have to seek that one person who’s going to make every pain worth it. Even if you have encountered some ghosters, don’t lose hope! Someone out there will eventually be your one in a million! References: Coffee, E. (2018). The Ghosting Phenomenon. Indiana University Southeast. Retrieved from https://iushorizon.com/22002/features/the-ghosting-phenomenon/ Fader, S. (2020). Ghosting: The New Dating Phenomenon. Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/dating/ghosting-the-new-dating-phenomenon/ Gholipour, B. (2019). Why Do People Ghost? Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/64661-why-people-ghost.html Granger, B. (n.d.). Ghosting: The Spooky Social Phenomenon That’s Haunting the Digital World. Retrieved from https://www.getsupporti.com/post/ghosting McQuillan, S. (n.d.). Ghosting: What It Is, Why It Hurts, and What You Can Do About It. Retrieved from https://www.psycom.net/what-is-ghosting Mikhail, A. (2021). Ghosting: Is the phenomenon of shutting people out acceptable? Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2021/03/24/ghosting-is-the-phenomenon-of-shutting-people-out-acceptable.html

Have you also started to change when the pandemic began? Do you also sometimes look at your previous self and ask where it went wrong? Well, if your answer to these were yes, then you came across the right article. When the global pandemic starts to strike on us, we have no choice but to put restrictions to protect ourselves. Countries began to make their move by closing borders and implementing temporary community quarantines. By this, it means that we would not be able to continue doing our mundane chores the way we used to do them daily. Offices started to shift to a work-from-home setting while students began trying a new learning medium online. Was it exhausting? Partly. Day-by-day, we try to find joy while adjusting to the new normal. However, did you find anything strange when we started to adapt to these changes? As we sit all day and face our screens, we try our best to get in touch with reality. However, it is also noticeably visible how we slowly became impatient over petty things at work, irritated with the simple noise of our family members, and zoned out for about how many times a day in all our conference calls. Then, later on realizing, that no, this is not my best self. So, where did it go wrong? Why do I feel like this? From here, you begin to question yourself if this is still normal or if everyone else feels the same way as you do. First, adjusting to new circumstances would naturally make you feel uncomfortable. According to the theory of cognitive adaptation, this feeling is normal since you suddenly feel that everything became out of control. Therefore, your feeling of being different from your previous self is just a sign that you are still in the process of adjustment. So nothing went wrong from your end. It is okay to feel what you are feeling. What we have at the moment is an unexpected adverse event that brought emotional unpreparedness for all. Another factor that may explain what you are feeling right now is loneliness. Although you may say that you are currently with your family and not residing alone, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot be lonely anymore. Remember, being lonely does not equate to being alone and vice versa. You can be alone but feel happy, so you can also feel lonely while being with others. As we isolate ourselves to stay safe, we also cut our connections for physical interactions. Therefore, feelings of boredom cannot be avoided. From this, the sense of loneliness may surface. If this happens, you might see yourself getting angry and frustrated most of the time. Why? Because according to the study of Banarjee & Rai (2020), these behaviors are linked with loneliness. In a nutshell, the feeling of walking on thin ice during this pandemic is not something that you need to worry so much about. It is part of the adjustment process of that unfamiliar feeling that we felt upon transitioning to a major change. In fact, most of you even made an effort to eradicate this feeling. Again, according to the theory of cognitive adaptation, the solution that people tend to do when facing this type of situation is to make an effort to let themselves out of it. Do you remember how people started to find themselves different hobbies at the beginning of the pandemic? They tried to ease themselves by finding comfort in what they wanted to do. Understanding one’s self is not a race. So do not be pressured if you see other people adjusting well to the current situation. If you are still in the process of adjustment, acknowledge it, then help yourself surpass it. Dr. Robert Leahy, a psychologist, gave some tips that might help you with this. First, if you feel as if there is too much on your plate, give yourself a break. Learn to accept that it will never be the same as it is. Do not put too much meaning on things, and think that they are just minor inconveniences. Next, try to be more accommodating and polite. Even if you are stressed out, do not forget to think about others' feelings too. Your simple compliment might come a long way. Finally, view your life as a narrative. This is your own story, and you are currently in the chapter where you are facing a crisis. Outline your own story and remember that you can outweigh whatever is happening because you are the one writing it. In short, you are choosing your own ending. Love yourself and validate your own feelings to carry on. However, in the event that your feelings already burden you in a consistent manner, which already impairs your daily work, this is the time where you need to step up and ask for help. If it is something that you cannot overcome by yourself, never be afraid to seek assistance. Together, let us stay healthy in mind and body! References: Allison, C. (2020, June 24). How to Adjust to the ‘New Normal.’ NewYork-Presbyterian. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/how-to-adjust-to-the-new-normal/ Arzt, M. N. S. (2021, July 24). Bored and Lonely – Reasons Why and What to Do About It. SocialPro.https://socialpronow.com/blog/bored-lonely/#:%7E:text=You%20need%20to%20understand%20the,t%20feel%20connected%20to%20them. Banerjee, D., & Rai, M. (2020). Social isolation in Covid-19: The impact of loneliness. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 66(6), 525–527. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020922269 Büssing, A., Rodrigues Recchia, D., Hein, R., & Dienberg, T. (2020). Perceived changes of specific attitudes, perceptions and behaviors during the Corona pandemic and their relation to wellbeing. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01623-6 Czajkowska, Z. (2017). Theory of Cognitive Adaptation. Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1019-1 Grant, A. (2021, July 29). Feeling Blah During the Pandemic? It’s Called Languishing. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

We all had our fair share of good days. May it be from your youth, your first paycheck, your first recital, the time when you won that singing contest, or when you got engaged! Looking back at it now, it is satisfying how we felt genuinely happy during that time. Without reservations, we did what we wanted and achieved our goals. We did something because we knew that we could. We joined several contests because we thought that we had a chance. We knew beforehand that we have skills for what we have signed up for. It is as if we have all the energy to win over something that we really wanted. In return, we have felt genuinely deserving for whatever we have achieved. However, all of these were before. Those were the good days—the days where we still thought that we were enough. The situation has already changed. At that moment, you suddenly started to feel that you were not as good as you thought you were. So you asked yourself, am I just a fraud? What is the correct answer for this? To answer this question, let us see this scenario first. When you were little, you used to ace your tests. When you were still in elementary, you were an active student and even managed to graduate high school with honors. When you were about to choose a university for college, one of the big four universities informed you that you were eligible to apply. What a tremendous feeling of joy! However, as you start your semester, you suddenly reach a slump in your academic career. You felt exhausted from the amount of work you need to do and did not excel the way you expected. You existed at school and suddenly felt lost, going with the flow, although you are not entirely following the lessons. Then suddenly, a thought from the back of your mind came out. I am not as intelligent as I thought I was. Yet what am I supposed to do? Everyone else from my childhood thinks that I am a diligent and smart person. You came home and still show the people around you that you are the person they perceive you to be. Even if, in reality, you now think that everything you have achieved is just a product of your luck or maybe because you were in a less competitive school before than now. Given this scenario, would you think you can be considered fraud if you were the one at that person's place? Well, the answer is no. There is a term that may explain what you are feeling and why you think about yourself like that. It is called imposter syndrome. In a study by Brevata et al. (2019), they have defined people with this as "high-achieving individuals who, despite their objective successes, fail to internalize their accomplishments and have persistent self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud or impostor." In short, they fail to see how competent they are and how it complements their performance. So in return, they will tend to think that whatever they achieve in life is mainly created by external factors rather than themselves. Additionally, they would also doubt themselves countless times after surpassing a major challenge. For example, when an employee achieves the highest record of making a quota, he/she will tend to think that it is just because he/she worked in highly populated areas to reach more people rather than thinking that it is because of his/her perseverance. As a result, people who experience this will continue to work harder as the thought of people knowing that they are not enough keeps on haunting them. Therefore, as they keep on striving, they cannot notice that they are just continuously being achievers while doubting themselves. As people who experienced this focus on thinking that they might be revealed as frauds, Brevata et al. (2019) found out that this makes them more prone to mental health issues. They might feel anxious around people as they keep on thinking about it. This was also supported by Susan Alberts, a psychologist, as she explains that this sometimes becomes a cycle to the point where it brings adverse effects to one's life. Although imposter syndrome is not yet considered an official psychiatric disorder in DSM-5, people who have experienced this, especially those that affect them enormously, could still seek the help of professionals for a more precise explanation of what they are truly feeling. Since most impostor syndrome cases frequently lead to burnout, here are some tips from the study of Tiefenthaler (2018) on how we can conquer it! First, know what your doubts are within yourself. Being short on one aspect does not mean that you cannot keep up at all. Identify where you are most afraid of and sincerely think about how you can make the situation better. Next, set aside your credibility as of the moment. Since they are the ones who are preventing you from stepping your feet forward, do not look back on it first and focus more on the issue that you want to resolve. Then finally, do not make yourself suffer alone. Share these thoughts with your colleagues, friends, or loved ones. Sometimes, hearing someone say that they understand you or feel the same way as you also give you comfort to carry on. Together, let us fight our self-doubts! References: Bravata, D. M., Watts, S. A., Keefer, A. L., Madhusudhan, D. K., Taylor, K. T., Clark, D. M., Nelson, R. S., Cokley, K. O., & Hagg, H. K. (2019). Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(4), 1252–1275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1 Feenstra, S., Begeny, C. T., Ryan, M. K., Rink, F. A., Stoker, J. I., & Jordan, J. (2020). Contextualizing the Impostor “Syndrome.” Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575024 healthessentials. (2021). A Psychologist Explains How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/a-psychologist-explains-how-to-deal-with-imposter-syndrome/ Tiefenthaler, (2018) "Conquering Imposter Syndrome," University of Montana Journal of Early Childhood Scholarship and Innovative Practice: Vol. 2 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/ecsip/vol2/iss1/4 What is Imposter Syndrome? (2021). Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469

It’s been 3 o’clock in the morning but I’m still wide awake, Tears are falling apart, and I think I’m about to break. This pandemic had caused trouble in my life and existence, I can’t easily deal with problems, together with the isolation and distance. Wondering all day and night on how I can be someone worthy, Questioning myself, “will I continue my journey”? Stress has been my breakfast and anxiety for dinner, I may look good on the outside but try to dig deeper. Almost everyone was struggling and coping up each day, Trying to be productive, trying to survive and stay. This pandemic may be a way for us to be stronger for the future, I hope we are into something good, something to nurture. Hope, is one of the keys for me and you to keep going, A hope that everything will be okay and just keep on dreaming. This is not a battle of one person versus the problem, You have God, me, your family, and friends, good things will blossom. Source: Lee, S. A. (2020). Coronavirus Anxiety Scale: A brief mental health screener for COVID-19 related anxiety. Death Studies, 44(7), 393–401. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2020.1748481

Nagising ako sa sikat ng araw na sinabayan pa ng sakit, Ang sakit na mararamdaman mo na para bang sa’yong katawan ay naka-ukit. Biglaan kang naiiyak na para bang wala nang bukas, Ngunit ang dinadala kong ito ang alam kong magbibigay ng lakas. Isang minutong kasiyahan ay mapapalitan ng isang oras na lungkot, Na tila ba ako’y pagod na pagod at punong-puno ng takot. Na habang tumatagal lalo akong nababalisa, Kailan ba matatapos ang nararamdamang takot at pangamba? Minsan ay normal naman ang lahat at tila maayos ang pakiramdam, Ngunit bigla na lang akong susuko at ninanais nang magpaalam. Natutulala, naga-alala, ni hindi ko na magawa ang mga nais ko sa buhay, Ngunit kapag nasisilayan ko sila, muling nagkakaroon ng kulay. Isa na akong ina na nagigising sa iyak ng isang anghel na sakin ay pinadala, Isang nanay na lumalaban sa mga gumugulo sa aking isipan at diwa. Isang magulang na kailangang bumangon para sa kanila, Isang ina na mas pipiliin ang pamilya kaysa sa sakit na nadarama. Source: Karl, D. J. (2011). Perinatal Depression. Nursing for Women’s Health, 15(4), 277. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-486x.2011.01647.x

In a day full of worries because of being in a pandemic, Almost everyone is stressed in life, even in academics. No proper hours of sleep, tons of coffee, and unhealthy lifestyle, Is your mental health more essential, or are those folders full of files? It has been said that the mental health in our country is worsening, Some people are so afraid to tell it or even attend counseling. Many experienced the pressure of being functional in this phase, It even gets hard because of restrictions and having limited ways. Some lost their jobs, while some people don’t know if they can study, Some lose themselves; they can’t find interest even in their own hobby. Worries plus stress plus anxiety and a lot more negative thoughts, What else is worse, silent battles every day being fought. Everyone should know that mental health is important than ‘that file’, And remember that it is not a crime to rest for a while. Another person was made to remind you that you are not alone, Again, you are not alone. You are not on your own References: Omengan, O., Journalism, P. C. for I. (2021, May 22). Filipinos face the mental toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/photo-essay-filipinos-mental-toll-pressure-fatigue-covid-19-pandemic.