Journaling During Isolation

I write this in self-isolation while recovering from COVID-19 symptoms. Many of us will feel physically or emotionally isolated at some time in our lives, and isolation will affect each of us in different ways. It can offer us time to reflect on our lives and to appreciate what matters to us. Journaling is a valuable tool in that process of self-discovery and for finding creative ways to thrive, whatever our circumstances.

Start, or develop, the enjoyable habit of writing a stream of consciousness triggered by a daily prompt. Did you know that handwriting engages more areas of your brain than typing? For an extra boost of creativity, write using your non-dominant hand to engage even more areas of your brain.

Here are a few suggestions for using journaling to calm yourself, to reflect on your life, and to build a flourishing relationship with your creative inner genius.

Calm a troubled mind

Allowing words to flow freely in response to a prompt is a calming, almost meditative experience. Use journaling for mental first aid to soothe a temporarily troubled mind. It is safe to put all your feelings, fears, and frustrations onto paper. The paper can take it and it won’t judge you. Paper is easily destroyed. Simply acknowledging how you feel can be calming and provide you with a fresh perspective. If spiralling anxious thoughts are keeping you awake at night, write them down. Your innate inner storyteller will transform those spirals into linked sentences as it seeks to make sense of them.

I am worried about…

I am afraid of…

I am frustrated by…

Direct attention away from fear and uncertainty

My passion for journaling started when I was made to list three highlights of my day, every day, at a time when every day was dominated by chronic pain, isolation, and fears about my future. At first, I struggled to identify any highlights. Over time, it became easier. Eventually, I noticed highlights as they happened and recognised my ability to experience them more fully and more often. Have you been watching glorious sunsets unblemished by contrail graffiti? Gratitude journaling slowly shifted my focus from what I could no longer do to what I can and could do. Try listing everything you are grateful for and pick one to expand upon in your journal. Writing a letter only you will read offers you the freedom to fully express how you feel and to allow your flow of words to digress. Write a thank you letter to your inner superhero who has guided you through all your tough times. Write a thank you letter to someone you can no longer contact whose kindness, encouragement, or inspiration has been invaluable to you. What did they do and what impact has it had? Reflect on your uplifting memories with a focus on one of your senses to both recall more detail and to make the memory easier to recall.

Three highlights of my day are…

I appreciate…

I am grateful for…

Reflect on everything

Isolation offers time to reflect on your life, on what’s important to you, and on what direction you want to take. Perhaps life will never be the same again. The uncertainty can feel frightening. In hindsight, this time might be a wonderful turning point. As in the film, Sliding Doors (1998), life changes depending on whether you catch, or just miss, the metaphorical tube train. Life will be different, not necessarily better or worse. Because life is not a film, you will never know what might have happened if only…what?

I appreciate the value of…

I have learnt…

I am willing to let go of…

Inspire fun and creativity

Whatever the reason for your isolation, recording your feelings and the telling details of everyday life will be a valuable resource. The facts and figures about the COVID-19 pandemic will be officially recorded. Who will record the unique impact on you? An alternative to keeping a conventional diary is to use prompts—either the same prompt every day, or a new prompt each day. Our innate ability to find connections can make a random daily prompt seem particularly appropriate. Unusual connections often spark creative ideas, insights, and solutions to problems.

I am surprised by…

I am uncertain of…

I am changing…

Make a difference

Read your journal to discover ideas, insights, and inspiration which can be used to help you thrive in every aspect of your life. Re-reading your journals will reveal further insights and the extent to which you and your perspective on life have changed. Use these to further pursue changes within your life.

I want to…

I intend to…

I commit to…

Journaling can be fun and uplifting and is an ideal solitary pursuit. Don’t think; just write in response to a prompt. Allow the words to flow. If the flow dries up, restart it by rewriting the prompt, or writing I feel… or I remember…

Enjoy the adventure of discovering where a prompt will lead you. Safeguard your wellbeing if a prompt triggers distress.

Isolation may give you the time you have craved for writing poems, flash fiction, stories, novels, or non-fiction. Be inspired by the ideas and memories vividly recorded in your journals. Use themes, character, situations, or titles as prompts for exploration.

Happy journaling, and may your isolation bring many unexpected benefits.