Lockdown has changed the dating game.
For some, it’s been a difficult time of being apart from partners, while for others lockdown been an exploration into new ways of meeting people, with virtual dating, social distancing walks and no touching.
We have also seen relationships wither with people getting dumped over Zoom, while others have reached out to exes or old flings to give things another go.
One artist is determined to catalogue this unusual time of dating, as well as give people an outlet for their happiness or pain.
Philippa Found has launched a website called Lockdown Love Stories, where anyone can send in a poem, blog or just random rants about how the pandemic has affected their love and sex lives.
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As for what kind of content she has received so far, it’s a wide mix – from a piece written by a married man who ‘got a taste of the divorced dad life’ to a short but steamy blog titled ’00:45 – Can I come over?’.
‘This is a space to share without shame,’ the website reads.
‘This is a participatory art project. An ever-growing archive of real life. real time anonymous love stories open for a long as lockdown lasts – and beyond, as love and the landscape of dating continues to adjust to a post-pandemic world.’
To promote the project, the artist took to the streets, where she has been drawing the URL in chalk across her neighbourhood – so far, she has received 130 submissions.
‘Lockdown triggered an intensification of emotions,’ said artist Phillippa Found.
‘Without the usual distractions there was more time to think. People were forced to sit with their thoughts, which can be uncomfortable.
‘At first there were lots of stories of getting back in touch with, or hearing from, exes.
‘People were feeling a sense of loss and loneliness, replaying old relationships and reaching out to people from their past. There was also a profound sense of mourning in early relationships that had suddenly been stalled.
‘However, as lockdown continued things, started to shift. Appreciation and gratitude came to the fore.
‘There are many stories of falling in love after only ever meeting online and others of deciding to lockdown early on in relationships. What surprised me was that every story I received of an early commitment plunge was positive.
‘Although people had hesitated beforehand, no one regretted the decision. I wonder if lockdown has proved we don’t need to be so afraid of commitment.’
Fancy telling the world about your romantic or sexual adventures over the past few months?
You can easily submit your words on the website, and remain anonymous or add a name to it – the choice is yours.
Or have a read of what others have been getting up to.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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