Pandemic Religion: A Digital Archive

Self-Isolation & Spiritual Experimentation

I have self-identified as an “optimistic agnostic” ever since denouncing my Catholic upbringing during my senior year of high school; I don’t know if there is a higher power or ruling spirit, but I like to think that there is and that I can show respect and worship that higher power through my daily actions. Graduating and moving to college did not give me much time to think about delving deeper into my spirituality, let alone research religions and practices that resonated with my personal beliefs. I’ve lived mostly secularly for about 2.5 years. When the panic of COVID-19 spread to Texas, I was immediately worried about my subpar immune system, so I began self-isolation on March 12, 2020. Being locked in my apartment with my roommate and cat from the jump led to a lot of free time, most of which has been spent on our balcony overlooking the small Austin park behind our complex. Sitting near the trees and submerging myself in nature reminded me of my mom walking our property with 6-year-old me to teach me about nature, and I realized that I felt closer to a higher power during those hikes with my mom than I ever did while sitting with her in a Catholic mass. This epiphany has allowed me to better define the religious ideas that fit into my moral code, and my free time at home has allowed me to research various religions and belief systems. I am in the process of exploring my spirituality through various forms of prayer, meditation, and worship in the comfort of my home. I believe that this is a perfect time for people with secular lifestyles to consider what is important to them and try to find brand new aspects of spirituality in their daily lives.

May 12, 2020

Texas