Who would have thought that something so tiny and invisible to the human eye, will stop people all over the world? The pandemic has placed the entire world at a standstill and has changed our spheres of living, making ways of life viable.
We have learned to survive with the bare minimal and are taking social distancing seriously. Apparently, face masks are a raging trend in 2020. We have survived days without going on shopping sprees and the ones where home cooked meals replaced the fancy restaurant dinners. The pollution went down, nature flourished and people realized the importance of a sustainable life
This is like living in an uncertain period today, which a few years from now will be studied as history! These times are so distinctive that they hold due importance for the ages to come, so why not record it!
Instead of merely living through the history, take down a few snippets, narrating your experiences of how you rebelled, accepted and survived the hard times for the historians to look back at them and tell the tales of life during the pandemic of 2020.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE INSPIRED TO RECORD THE PANDEMIC?
Be it the diary of Anne Frank, the Hammurabi code or the numerous memoirs, a huge part of history we have today was possible because of such first-hand accounts and descriptions.
Here are a few pointers on why you should be engaged in recording the instances of this pandemic.
Historical importance
The records made right now are of integral importance for the generations to come. It will give an insight of the lives of people during a pandemic, the ways to combat it and educate the future generations.
Growth tracker
It can act as a personal record for one and contribute in tracking the growth. The records hence made can be used as daily trackers of one’s moods, emotions, feelings and concerns.
A fun activity
The entire process can be fun, now for the one doing it and later for the ones who obtain it.
Keeps you busy
This can help you inculcate a new habit, keep you occupied and even lower down the levels of anxiety by keeping the negative thoughts at bay. Altogether, it gives you a new perspective about your life.
RECORD YOUR JOURNEY
Now that I have convinced you enough, let me tell you a few ways through which you can record your experiences and the journey through the pandemic of 2020.
Keep a personal diary
It is one of the oldest and most important forms of personal narratives. Take a few moments and make notes of what is happening around you and how you feel about it. Journaling helps you organize your thoughts in a way that works for you by addressing your concerns and fears. Tracking your mood and emotions can help you recognize triggers and find ways to control them.
As you write around what you are concerned about, think critically and try to argue with yourself. Write about anything happening right now that calls into question whether or not your worry is truly a concern. You can do it in a traditional way by keeping a hard bound diary or use an app like Chiku for the same.
Capture photographs and make videos
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. An image can convey information more quickly than a primary document written in an unfamiliar or a foreign language which would need to be deciphered. This is a way by which you can capture the exact moment, preserve it and look back on for years or even decades to come. The photos or videos you make during this period will tell the stories of how you pulled through these trying times.
Bring out your inner Shakespeare
Writing is a way of reminiscing instances and memories. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of letting your emotions out through words for health, happiness, and anxiety management. Pen down what is happening right now in the form of stories, novels, poetry, haikus, essays, letters or memoirs. The act of writing ornamental literature encourages mindfulness which will help you get to the heart of thoughts or emotions of your own, which you don't quite understand.
Tickle the funny bone
Studies have shown that Comics and caricatures have been more effective than any other form of literature in increasing interest in and enjoyment of any topics. Making comic strips can be a fun and enjoyable activity and can also be a great way to remind yourself of positive mental health representations.
Memes on the other side are ablaze amongst the youth all over the world. It can be a great way for you to reach out to millions, raise awareness about the instances while making the situation lighter and fun. These can be amusing for you while making them and as an add on can bring a smile to the face of a person who is reading them.
Scribble it out
Unleash your inner artist by painting, scribbling or doodling your way through the pandemic. With plenty of time and nowhere to go, you can indulge into making illustrations or doodles describing your day to day life in a simple, practical, funny and sketchy way.
Art and craft activities are meditative, quiet and calming which can help soothe symptoms of anxiety, nervousness and irritability. It encourages self-expressions, reduces trauma and shallows the triggers. Chiku – Journal, Diary and Mood Tracker gives you an option to doodle and express your emotions in a breezy manner.
Use social media
Social media is a powerful tool that can be used as a way to narrate life experiences, stories or meaningful instances in times of crisis. Choose any topic related to the pandemic which is affecting your life and create a blog or an article around it. You can use various formats to write your views like posts, editorials, reviews or even compile a how-to guide for something you could teach someone during the pandemic. This can keep your mind off the uncertainties and gives you a thing to look up to everyday.
Voice recordings
This is a time when you are required to restrict your interpersonal interactions and stay isolated. Grab a voice recorder or even use your phone as one to record your stories, the ideas you get or the thoughts that boggle you. It is a great way for those who find writing tedious to express their narratives. It can be a monologue, a random snippet of your day, a story narration, podcast or even a recording of when you were on a call with your friend.
Time capsules
A time capsule is something which is buried to be discovered in the future. It represents that the moments in life hold greater importance than the objects we have. With the help of a time capsule you can preserve a specific time in life. Make something to help you remember the significance of this time. Gather the things, add a tiny note, put them in a box and bury them in the ground. Years from now, it will be an amazing discovery to share with all.
Capture the emotions and memories associated with the Coronavirus pandemic and this contrasting time of social distancing. Be creative and imaginative, compile a lasting memory of these times. This duration will definitely be the kind of memory which is here to stay, it is just a matter of trying to view it in a different manner.
So, how are you going to tell your grandkids about the pandemic of 2020?