Abstract
This narrative explores the changing role of technology during the pandemic while simultaneously offering strategies for managing stress caused by the overuse of technology. Technology brings people together who cannot see each other in person, such as families who live in different locations and students who attend online classes. Technology serves the dual role of keeping people connected, especially during events such as a pandemic, and making people feel disconnected due to distraction caused by devices.
TopPandemic Diaries
As a writer, I capture this moment in time with my words. I write prayers and email them to the members of my church. I write lesson plans to ease the anxiety my students face. I conduct research and send the highlights to my friends in the medical field. I write a letter to my cousin’s son and tell him about the first month of his life which thankfully he won’t remember. I write to make myself slow down and breathe.
And I can thank technology for all of it. I still have electricity and a working laptop. I have a phone which keeps me updated on however much of the news I feel able to endure at any given moment. I use the same phone to text my friends and family to check on them. The technology I once described as causing stress now causes serenity.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Writing Voice: Voice in writing describes how a writer uses word choice and tone to reflect the unique personality of the writer. Just like each person has a unique speaking voice, each writer has a unique writing voice.
Writing as Healing: James Pennebaker is a leader in the field which explores the health benefits of writing. Numerous studies have been conducted by researchers investigating the influence of writing on physical and emotional health.
Self-Compassion: The act of demonstrating the same kindness for oneself that one would demonstrate for other people.
Journal Writing: The process of a person responding to prompts and writing about his or her thoughts and feelings. While journal writing is typically associated with writing classrooms, writing teachers including Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg advocate that journal writing can be done by anyone, anywhere.
Story Sharing: By sharing a story with a supportive audience, either in conversation or in writing, it frees the storyteller of unneeded physical and emotional stress caused by holding the story inside and worrying about it. Brene Brown explains that it helps people to share stories instead of numbing pain with unhealthy choices.