Buzz
Over the past month, life has undergone dramatic shifts, both significant and subtle. What once seemed like distant news about a virus affecting faraway regions has now escalated into a worldwide crisis. Simple activities like meeting friends, taking children to the park, or grocery shopping have become challenging or entirely off-limits. Each day introduces fresh concerns, updated safety measures, and evolving information.
Amidst the chaos, it’s easy to lose track of these events in a fog of anxiety and stress. Many of us already feel a distorted sense of time, surprised by how little has actually passed. Can it truly be that the World Health Organization declared this a pandemic only on March 11th? Was it just in January that U.S. media began covering the coronavirus?
Maintaining a journal, where you record the details of unfolding events, can help you process these changes and create a meaningful historical record for future generations.
In time, this pandemic will be managed—vaccines and effective treatments will become available. However, life may never fully revert to its pre-pandemic state. History will mark this era as a defining line: the time before and after the pandemic.
In the years to come, we’ll seek to revisit and understand this period. Sharing these experiences and lessons with future generations will be essential. To achieve this, begin by documenting the events as they unfold.
Simplify the journaling process
Herbert “Tico” Braun, a history professor at the University of Virginia, offers advice on maintaining a journal during these unprecedented times. As highlighted in this article:
When creating a journal about this period, keep it straightforward and manageable. If it feels burdensome, it loses its purpose. You don’t need to write daily. Keep your tools nearby to quickly note thoughts or events, allowing you to revisit and expand on them later.
Capture specifics and involve the senses
Details can range from casual chats with neighbors to observations about your surroundings or shifts in your daily work routine. These don’t have to directly relate to the pandemic; they can simply reflect the nuances of everyday life. When describing, aim to incorporate all senses. Has the air quality improved with fewer cars on the road? How has the constant presence of people at home altered the usual sounds? What changes have you noticed in how public spaces are being used?
Amid the chaos, even the tiniest details can hold significance and evoke powerful memories in the future.
Plan for preserving your records long-term
The method you choose to document these details—whether through a traditional journal, a simple notebook, or digital tools—depends on your resources and preferences. You might opt for structured systems like the Bullet Journal method, or keep it casual with a classic marbled notebook, jotting down thoughts and dates as they come. Alternatively, you could explore apps or even start a blog, depending on what feels most comfortable for you.
Regardless of the format you choose, ensure you have a strategy for long-term storage. Once this period passes, you’ll want to revisit these journals to reflect on your experiences.
