Lesbian 101: Managing a Long Distance Relationship

One of the biggest lesbian stereotypes is that we always get into long distance relationships. To be fair, we have a much smaller dating pool so long distance relationships are a lot more likely.

In September, my and my girlfriend Abbie will have been together for a year. However, we have spent four months apart. When we met Abbie was living in student accommodation in Manchester quite close to where I live, so we were regularly going on dates and I stayed over quite regularly. Abbie moved out of her student accommodation in March when the country went into lockdown, so since then we've been doing the long distance thing. At first, it was so difficult and I thought we would struggle as I'd been so used to seeing each other all the time and practically living together. Over the last four months, though, we have managed to maintain a happy and healthy relationship without seeing each other in the flesh.

- Remember that it's not forever
Think about the future. You won't be apart forever so look forward to when you can spend time together. If you're both isolating separately, remember that restrictions will soon be lifted and hopefully soon this pandemic will be over. At the start of lockdown, Abbie said to me, 'this isn't the end, it's just the beginning.' Ridiculously cheesy, but its true.

- Have a plan to see each other
I'm planning to get the train to Sheffield to see Abbie in a few weeks, which is always something to look forward to when I'm missing her.

- Check in with each other every day
You don't have to be in constant contact, but it's good to check in with each other at least once a day. I often work long hours and Abbie has football training several hours a week so we can't always have long conversation, however just checking how you partner is can go a long way.

- Zoom is your best friend
Sounds very obvious but it always cheers me up to see Abbie's face when we video chat. It gives me butterflies just as much as seeing her in real life (Aww)

What's In My Lockdown Sketchbook?

Have you been keeping creative in Lockdown? I set myself the challenge of keeping a sketchbook/scrapbook as a hobby to keep me entertained. I tried to a new page every day, and I was mostly successful! The materials I have been using have been coloured fineliner, acrylic paints, pencils and collaging.

This sketchbook is most experimentation and rough sketches and not that much refined work. It can feel very daunting to just get a brand new fresh sketchbook and start to work in it, because where do you start? When I'm struggling for inspiration I normally look on Pinterest, or do rough sketches of items around me. If you still have some spare time, I would definitely recommend getting a sketchbook, just think it would be great to look through when you've finally completed it!

This is the most artwork I've done since I studied art in college and I really enjoyed it, so I'll definitely be continuing (Once I've got a new sketchbook!) It's great to just be creative without it being for a grade so you don't have to worry too much about it looking perfect.

Pink page- collaging

Detailed fineliner drawing of a flower postcard

Experimenting with collage and paint

Blue and red colour experimentation

Primary colours and shapes painting with collage. This was very hard to make neat and not look too messy. However, I'm very pleased with the results.

Rough sketches remind me of my days at college studying art. I tried to make this page look neat and refined with the brown paper and the colour story.

All yellow page and rainbow tiling exercise. I really want to do more of this.

Trying acrylic painting with fineliner drawing over the top. I'm not very good at acrylic painting and definitely prefer watercolour painting. However I'm quite pleased with the picture on the right.  

I drew over a postcard and then did rough sketches on the right. I really like the drawing style I'm starting to develop.