dating and relationships – Afternoon Delight

Muscle Memory – by Sophie Raoufi

This is a short story of a reunion between two ex-lovers. It describes the relatable feeling of returning to past moments, and the empowering realisation that some relationships are best left in the past.

(Slightly less) SadGirl 2020: a year in review. Part 2

From navigating a new job whilst working from home, swiping on dating apps to meeting IRL in 2020’s summer of love, Katie shares the second part of the year in which she learned how to be herself again.

Dating a ghost

Spending so much time alone in lockdown has created a strange phenomenon when it comes to dating. In the absence of touch, our minds have relied on imaginations to the point where even real life now feels substituted by a dream. This is a short story about a date and the feeling of being surrounded by ghosts.

Mistaken identity

Have you ever been mistaken by a stranger for somebody else? This is a short story about unsolicited opinions and why it’s not OK to pick your nose on the bus.

UTWHYYYYY?! – Part 2

Part 2 is here, and Katie is sharing her go-to tips and advice for how to reduce the UTI burn.

UTWHYYYYY?! – Part 1

I had my first UTI at aged 2 and a half, and ever since then I’ve continued to have the same problems. UTI’s have become a constant in my life, and this is my journey of diagnosis and medication.

The Dating Dilemma

This personal essay is a reflection of past moments, coming to term with endings, and the complexities of beginning intimacy without physical touch.

Let’s talk about: nudes

During times like these it’s easy to feel down about the way we look. So how do we start to feel good about ourselves again when the world around us is full of uncertainty? Capturing a moment when you feel good about yourself is a reminder of that self-assured feeling in times when confidence is fading.

A list of places I’ve avoided because of boys (Part 2)

Have you ever avoided a particular place, perhaps a bar or a venue, maybe at a specific time, because you consciously or subconsciously associate it to a particular person, one you’d rather not see? We’re definitely guilty of it.

A list of places I’ve avoided because of boys (Part 1)

You might occasionally return to a place you went to with someone you used to date. A memory of the moment will come forth, unable to pass up the opportunity to remind you that it still exists, a bit like the boy who texts “hey, how are you?” when you haven’t spoken for two years.