Social distancing has changed a lot about the way we live, including the way we love. Kaley and Sarah wanted to discuss what those changes look like, and they knew exactly who to call! This week, the co-hosts interviewed The Washington Post’s legendary dating columnist, Lisa Bonos. Since social distancing began, Lisa has sought out pandemic-related stories that reflect how relationships are evolving in 2020.
Long-Term Relationships Are Faring Well
It’s common to hear prognostications about how there will be a massive wave of divorce post-quarantine. But is that pessimistic perspective accurate? According to one of Lisa’s recent articles, couples aren’t doing badly in quarantine. She cites a Monmouth University Study showing couples are fighting less and even having a bit more sex. So, don’t fret! While couples in quarantine are not exactly living the dream (There are only so many times you want to hear your partner play Fleetwood Mac on repeat), many of us are still going strong. Huzzah!
Dating Is Going Au Naturel
Instead of meeting your Tinder matches at the local pub, we’re zooming potential paramores from the couch. And the upshot is people no longer feel like gussying up. Lisa explains we’re more likely to skip the makeup and hang out on our screens sans makeup, while wearing sweats. We’re ditching our old artifices in favour of showing what our lives actually look like. That involves a lot of lounging around in yoga pants surrounded by second-hand Ikea furniture. The police are murdering innocent people – both in Canada and across the border – and COVID isn’t going away. Why pretend our lives are perfect when we’re living in a dystopian hellscape? So, save the money you’d normally spend on lipstick, and send donate to an anti-racist non-profit organization.
Social Distancing Is Producing Some Cute Love Stories
Whether it’s a sexy artist quarantining with his new girlfriend – and her entire family – or people stranded at an AirBnB forming an impromptu family, love stories are still unfolding. The virus and our world f-cked up politics have wreaked havoc on our society; however, there’s the odd bright spot. We’re glad writers like Lisa Bonos are recording those bright spots. Happy stories can give us hope!