Living Through the Coronavirus Pandemic? Record your Story and be a part of History. Here’s how…

Our world is in a bit of a pickle just now. We’re all fighting against something very small, but it’s something that has caused big trouble and grief – a virus. It’s not the first time a disease has ravaged civilization – and sadly, it probably won’t be the last. That’s a very sobering thought – that so many things can go wrong in an advanced society. Perhaps that’s what those sci-fi novels have been trying to tell us?

Well, these are uncertain times. Many of us are staying in our homes, either voluntarily or by directives from the authorities, in the hope of “flattening the curve” and lowering the incidence of new cases of COVID-19. Emotions range from optimism to severe depression. I’m glad to have an enforced “break” of sorts to get some things done at home, but I miss the normal activity and going out, seeing friends and family…my non-routine! And some of us are just plain…bored.

Of course, we can turn our focus inward. Work on our homes or apartments, bond with our family or pets, read more, catch up on those series we wanted to watch but never had time. Sometimes, though, it’s not enough, and the emotional highs and lows get to us.

I stumbled onto something online that I’d like to share with you. My daughter pointed it out to me, and I’m hoping that a lot of people will take the opportunity to participate in one way or another. If you’re already keeping a journal, you’re set to go. If you haven’t begun yet, now is a GREAT time to start one. Your journal will let you put down on paper (and out of your head, hopefully) your fears about the pandemic. Remember – journaling has been proven to help with anxiety. You can write anything and everything. Reflect on how it’s messing up your routine (or non-routine, in my case). Talk about how frustrating it is to have to cook or order delivery every day. Put down on paper those worries about commodities like hand sanitizer or toilet paper. How are you managing this perhaps drastic change? Draw a picture – even a stick person. Make something out of cut paper. Make a mask – or a paper facsimile. Maybe write on it? Or just decorate it. Go ahead. It’s all good. Anything goes!

There are many opportunities connected with this crisis and you can be a part of history! Yes. That’s right. Put your words or hand crafts in an archive for posterity and you’ll be remembered by future generations.

I’ve revised this article to include more opportunities. The first time, I mentioned only one below. However, it may be restricted to residents of Indiana. I’ve left it here, but I have added another that sounds like a super opportunity to be part of something bigger than all of us as individuals. Please keep reading for other options!

Women Writing History: A Coronavirus Journaling Project

This one sounds like a super opportunity to be part of something important. It’s open to all women, all ages – no restrictions. And – it’s very flexible with regards to your submissions. Their description says it better than I can: “Journals can be written, orally recorded, video recorded, a series of photographs, or original artworks—the primary goal of this project is to capture the female voice and how the pandemic has impacted daily lives and perspectives. Journal entries might provide a summary of one’s day, descriptions of the ‘new normal,’ coping techniques, explorations of challenges or even moments of joy, or inside views of how learning and working routines have altered.” (National Women’s History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/journal-project)

Just follow the link to read more about what you can do and how to participate in this opportunity. The project is ongoing so you can jump in right away.

Arizona State University: Journal of a Plague Year
This is yet another great chance to be a part of the historical record. Why not? You can opt to have your journal part of the public access or strictly reserved for the University historians’ use. Again, as with the project in Women Writing History, almost anything goes. Any media, visual, written, or audio/visual – it’s all good. Check it out on the page above!

Nantucket Historical Association: Journal your COVID19 experiences!

Like the others, this group is happy and anxious to accept your journals in any form when you are ready to turn them over to them. Pretty much anything goes. This site offers some suggestions as a guide, in case you are wanting more inspiration than our current situation offers. If you’d like more information, follow the link above to read more. Then, if you want to ask any questions, send an email to the NHA Research Library at  library@nha.org.

The Autry Museum

Yet another ongoing project that wants your creations, your journals, your crafts – anything that pertains to what we are experiencing as part of COVID-19. Their initiative is “Collecting Community History Initiative – The West During COVID-19“. However, it doesn’t appear to be restricted to residents of any geographic area. This project is particularly exciting as it is emphasizing not only any American, but those citizens with Native American heritage, and how they are coping. Furthermore, in addition to the journaling project, the Autry is working in response to and in solidarity with Movement for Black Lives. This is a special part of the journaling effort which attempts to include, collect, and catalog material pertinent to the Black Lives Matter protests. This critical moment in civil rights is not being excluded but given a place in history. Read more about this part of the project here.

University Archives, Indiana University

The project is under the management of the University Archives at Indiana University, so you can be assured it’s genuine. The University Archives are gathering journals from as many people as want to submit them, in written (hard copy) or digital format. Here’s what they’re asking for, in brief, quoted from their website:

“We find ourselves living in a historic crisis. Historians of the future will want to know how we spent our days. What was the local, lived experience of a global pandemic from day to day and week to week?

In the spirit of documenting this moment, the University Archives invites you to keep a diary of living during the COVID-19 epidemic. Diarists may type or write by hand, transcribe news, draw, compose poems, gather stories and so forth. No stress needs to be placed on “good grammar”, spelling or style. The emphasis is on self-expression, candor and a willingness to be a social commentator.” (from the University Archives, Indiana University site)

I’d like to encourage you to follow the link and read about this project for yourself. You’ll find a link to email if you have questions or to submit your journal on that page. Be sure to verify that they are accepting journals when you are ready, and from which locales. Otherwise, if this one doesn’t work, there are many others from which to choose.

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Now – where to begin? Begin – at the beginning! What a revelation! The beginning is where you are in this moment. You can think back if you want and write it down. Of course. Maybe it’s good to say a few things about how you came to this point. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter, really. It’s up to you whether you want to write down how it was before this pandemic came to your state, your country, your city, your town. The main thing is to say what you want to say in the way that works for you.

These projects make an important point – any medium or method you choose is okay. Journaling is one way we express ourselves. No restrictions! Write in pencil or pen or marker or crayon. Doodle. Draw beautiful pictures if that’s your gift. Paste in pictures, photos, news clippings, magazine articles. You can also include natural items and why you put them there. Don’t worry about grammar or vocabulary or any kind of writing structure. Sometimes the most interesting pieces I’ve read have sounded almost like the person was talking to me. It didn’t seem like writing at all. Just a conversation of sorts. I plan to try several different media and methods of journaling in my journal. I hope you do, too!

Okay – ready? Start writing! Cutting. Pasting. Coloring. Snap photos. Add some natural materials. Have fun and let those creative juices flow. Or just – write down the facts! Please check back here for updates to this article – I’ll post a few pics of my journal soon, and there will be another article with more ideas and photos on how to make these journals (and all our journals) special.

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Are you going to add your words to the records of this historic event? Do you think this is a good idea? Please share your thoughts in the comments! I can’t wait to hear from you!