We are living in historic times. Are you recording your experiences? Not only can journaling help you cope better with day-to-day life, but one day your family will be interested in knowing what it was like to live through the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. If you haven’t already begun a COVID diary detailing your thoughts and experiences of this historic moment, below are a few journal prompts to get you started.

Think Back to the Beginning

It’s easy to forget to write about what life was like at the start of 2020, especially because so much has happened since January! Below are some journal prompts to jog your memory.

• Record when and where you were when you first heard about COVID-19.

Did your family or friends tell you? Did you first learn about it from the news?

• Reflect on your initial thoughts and feelings about the virus.

Have your feelings or perspective changed since you first learned about COVID-19?

Write about the New (Albeit Temporary) Normal

Depending on where you lived or other circumstances, you may have experienced unique disruptions to your daily life. Even if the disruptions are minor, record the ways in which your life changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• If you were a parent whose children were out of school, what was homeschooling like?

No shame if you had to refresh yourself on 5th-grade math.

• If you were a student whose school closed down, how did you feel about learning from home?

The year 2020 took homework to a whole new level.

• If you were an employee who worked from home, what was your daily schedule? How did it change compared to being in the office?

Bonus points if you include a tally of how many times you heard co-workers say “Sorry, you cut out” and “I think you’re on mute” during a teleconference.

• Did any of your plans change because of the pandemic?

Was a family vacation postponed? Did an event get canceled? Did you briefly contemplate buying a really cheap flight to another country?

• How did your hometown, city, region, or country respond to the pandemic?

What social trends happened where you lived? Did people in your hometown buy out toilet paper? Did your city erupt in song from apartment balconies? Write about it!

Write about Daily Activities and Pastimes

While it may not seem interesting right now, you or family reading your COVID diary in the future might be interested in how you passed the time—especially if you were stuck at home for weeks on end! The following journal prompts can get you started.

• How did your schedule change during the pandemic?

Be honest—you slept in a lot, didn’t you?

• Did you try any new hobbies?

Did you jump on the sour dough starter trend?

• What books, movies, TV shows, or other activities did you engage in?

Be sure to include how many times you watched the same TV show in a row.

• If you were quarantined during the pandemic, did you dress differently?

And yes, I’m asking if you wore pajamas all day.

Reflect on How You Have Changed

In all seriousness, COVID-19 has been difficult and life-altering for many people throughout the world. You can cope better with the present moment by reflecting deeply on the ways you and the world have changed, and your reflections can also benefit future readers.

• Did you learn anything about yourself from this experience?
• What is one aspect of your life that was harder during the pandemic?
• What is one aspect of your life that was easier during the pandemic?
• How has this experience changed you or those around you?
• In what ways, if at all, do you think the world will be changed because of COVID-19?

Record Your Memories in a Safe Place

Remember to save your experiences in a safe place! One place to preserve your memories is on FamilySearch.org. You can type right into the app, or, if you prefer pen and paper, you can upload images of your COVID diary to FamilySearch Memories for safekeeping.   

If writing isn’t your thing—that’s OK! You can record your experiences as well. Just go to FamilySearch Memories on your desktop, or download the Memories app. When you’re ready, here’s how to make your recording:

1. Download or open the Memories app (to download the app, click on the Google Play or App Store button below).
2. Tap the menu icon (3 bars for Android, or 3 dots for iOS).
3. Tap Memories.
4. Tap the plus sign for making a memory.
5. Tap Record Audio.
6. Tap Begin Recording.