If you are struggling to make sense of quarantine, why not work through those tough emotions in a journal. Here are twenty-five quarantine journal prompts for deep reflection.
Are you as baffled as me about what has happened this year? This time last year we were facing job loss and doing through those struggles. By September our lives had quieted down. I can’t even imagine explaining this to my past self from a year ago. It is surreal to think about where we are right now. Like most people, I have some pretty strong, complex emotions about all kinds of topics surrounding quarantine. So that got me thinking that it might be beneficial to work through some of the emotions and even logical reactions I’ve had to some of this quarantine business. I felt better after having journaled about these things. Maybe you will as well.
For me, the hardest thing about quarantine was not seeing my parents and my family. It was very hard to be away from them particularly when it came time to celebrate birthdays. But it also made me appreciate how important it is to have meaningful relationships. For example, although I am very grateful that we had Zoom and social media platforms to use as a lifeline for social interaction, it also made me realize just how valuable the human social experience really is. I promised myself that when this started to settle down, I would stop relying on social media to make me feel connected to others. The truth is, it doesn’t. In fact, it provides only the illusion of connection. Seeing what someone had for lunch or where they went on vacation does nothing to bond with another person. In fact, some research suggests that this actually creates the fear of missing out and even emotions of jealousy. Today, I decided to take a break from Facebook in lieu of more personal connections. I plan on taking about a month-long break and see where it leads me. If you’d like to take a break from social media, be sure to read my other posts Living Without Likes and Social Media Detox.
Has Social Media Become the New Journaling?
I also needed a break from opinions. I am as opinionated as the next person, but scrolling through my Facebook feed was beginning to feel like a constant heated debate or like watching a 24-hr news cycle. It was just exhausting me mentally and emotionally. One thing I have noticed is just how polarizing opinions are when it comes to quarantine. I have seen blatant disrespect and sanctimony on both sides of the argument.
Some citizens are concerned that basic rights are being stripped away under the guise of “protecting us.” Others are concerned that the virus is deadlier than the government officials report. There is evidence that suggests news outlets are being less than honest about a wide range of information. There are real, intense emotions that come with isolation, job loss, and death. Regardless, of how you feel about these things, I want to challenge you to perhaps try reflecting and processing some of these thoughts in a journal and not on a social media platform.
Trying Taking Opinions Offline
I’m not saying you shouldn’t express your opinion publicly. But I do think that it is healthier and less damaging to relationships to first work through (and perhaps release) your emotion to a journal which is benign instead of your friend’s newsfeed. Honestly, that is probably one of my biggest pet peeves about Facebook. Many people use it to express every thought they have almost like a journal and it is very hard to take words back once they are published publicly.
I think as we work through emotions our views may even evolve. I know I felt one way in March and differently in May. However, this process is interrupted when we do this online. People challenge us, criticize us, and condemn us, for our viewpoints which then causes us to defend our position. This defensiveness then stops us from challenging our own perceptions and arguments because we go into defense mode.
Either way, I think that the events around COVID-19 and quarantine have been unlike other events. Take some time and express how you feel and what you think without the consequences of personal attacks.
Quarantine Journal Prompts
- How has quarantine changed your world view?
- What can you learn from this experience?
- Describe three quarantine memories.
- How do you feel about things reopening?
- What was the hardest thing about quarantine?
- How am I connecting with friends and family right now?
- How has quarantine made you more grateful?
- What are you afraid of right now?
- Will you continue to practice social distancing? Why or why not?
- Where have you seen the good in people during this?
- Looking back, do you feel like quarantine was necessary?
- What did an average day in quarantine look like?
- What is one thing you wish the world would learn from this?
- How has social media affected your attitude during quarantine?
- How will you describe this event to future generations?
- Describe what you will do when this is over?
- What gives you hope about this situation?
- Write down some positive plans or goals for the future.
- How do you feel about the political landscape right now?
- Did anyone you know become sick with coronavirus? What was that experience like?
- If you had been President of the United States, how would you have handled the situation?
- What were your initial feelings about Coronavirus during January and February? How have your feelings evolved?
- How do you feel about China’s handling of the virus?
- Describe any self-discovery you experienced.
- How have you been financially affected by the pandemic?
Other Journaling Prompts
Before you leave, be sure to take a look at some of my other journaling prompts.
- Christian Journaling Prompts
- 25 Christmas Journal Prompts
- Lenten Journal Prompts
- Journal Prompts for Self-Confidence
- 50 Journal Prompts
- Gratitude Journal Prompts