Journal During This Pandemic

With the pandemic around the world, we are all having to change our lifestyle. Most of the people today have never had to do without social gatherings, nor have they found such shortages in the grocery stores. We are starting to live with fear and uncertainty. Some are beginning to panic which is probably the worst reaction we can have. 

My online writing group is starting to journal daily about how our lives have been affected by the coronavirus. It's strictly among our group, and we've been urged to keep the daily offerings in a folder to read later and for posterity. 

I got to thinking that it might be good for all to keep a journal, detailing how lives have changed, what you think about how things are being handled by mayors, governors and on up to the federal government. It's easy to criticize, but keep in mind this is all new for everyone. The governing bodies have never had to handle anything equal to this before. 

If you have family members who are overseas and trying to travel home, write about it. Or if you are the one doing that. If you were shocked by the many empty shelves in grocery stores, write about it. If you have children home from school for who knows how long, write about it. 

Write about what is positive, the things that you still have. Some people have mentioned that they are taking time to listen to the birds, take long walks alone, make phone calls and write emails that they've not had time for earlier. I'm a firm believer that out of all bad comes some good. Right now, I hope we can concentrate on the good things, no matter how small they might be. I have a friend who told me she's cleaned closets and may start on cupboards next. That's a good thing, isn't it? 

Encourage your other family members to start their own journal. Very young children can dictate to an older family member. Remember that they have thoughts and fears and may see more positives than adults do. As parents, it would surely help you to know what is going through those little ones' minds. 

Any journal carried on during this pandemic will be a history for others to read someday. Give serious thought to starting one. I wrote my first entry for our Pendemic (yes, that spelling is correct since we are all writers) and I found it strangely comforting to share my thoughts with others. 

You can write your journal on your computer, your phone or with pencil and paper. You can write as much or as little as you like. The important thing is to write it! Don't forget to date each entry. Someday, this will be history, and you will have left a record for others.

Ever Written An Unsent Letter?

The editor of one of the writer's newsletters I subscribe to talked today about keeping two journals. Every day, write in one about something you are grateful for on that day. And in the other one, write those rants and raves you wish you had the guts to do in person. Tell off the rude clerk or the man who cut in line. Sounds like a good way to relieve a bit of stress. The gratitude journal's not a bad idea either.

There's a website where you can rant and rave if you like and have it published and even get paid for it. That's a winner all round, isn't it? The site is Unsent Letters  (http://ourunsentletters.com/ ). The name pretty well explains itself. Go to the website to read the writers guidelines and read several samples of what they've accepted. No doubt you can come up with a letter of your own. And no, you do not have to publish it under your own name. You can do so anonymously. You're given that option.

The unsent letter can be something that has bugged you for years and you want to get it off your chest. Or it can be like the positive journal I mentioned earlier--a letter thanking someone for something. Take either path, it's your choice.

Payment is $10-25 per letter, possibly more if a picture accompanies the letter. And if your letter is selected to be put in the anthology in works, payment can go as high as $250. There is a note at the top of the Writers Guidelines and Submissions page that says submissions are closed until January 2011. Since this is February, I would go ahead and send something and see what happens. Do take time to read the guidelines and some of the letters on the website to get a feel for what is accepted.

Even if you don't get accepted, you might feel better for writing to whomever for whatever reason. Even if they never see it.