As a part of our maudern people series, we asked New York-based journalist Marjon Carlos for insights on modern intimacy. The former Senior Fashion Writer at Vogue.com, she is currently working on her first book.
Relationship status?
In a relationship.With social distancing & quarantine, how has human contact changed for you?
I was telling my best friend this the other day: considering I worked from home for nearly three years up until February when I went in-house, I was pretty comfortable with my own company. I enjoyed “alone time” and it was my normal. But little did I realize that my ability to connect with people—whether we were meeting for a long dinner, grabbing drinks, hanging with my family, hitting up an event, going on a date, or just chilling—was the way I filled myself up. I relied on those opportunities to commune to feel restored and tethered to something outside of myself. Quarantine has really made that apparent to me and I’m glad it did. I miss hugging my friends, tickling my niece and nephew, dancing in a crowded, sweaty room, and just cuddling with my boyfriend. We are quarantining separately.
What I have loved is figuring out ways we can show the other one we care. It’s incredible the lengths we’ll go to for one another.
How do you make time for intimacy?
What I have loved is figuring out ways we can show the other one we care. One day my boyfriend went to six different stores to find me toilet paper. He’s always dropping off groceries, which melts my heart. For my birthday he sent a stunning bouquet of peonies. Ramadan started recently and I researched where to get the best dates. I presented him with this huge, shiny box the first day and it really touched him. It’s incredible the lengths we’ll go to for one another. Since the weather has been getting better we’ve been taking long drives and the other night we wound up in Williamsburg in an empty lot. We just sat parked, looked at the city skyline, and told each other stories.
How has your perspective on your home/space changed?
I’m in total overhaul mode! I am re-decorating and I love it. I’m like, “It’s all got to go!” I want to make sure that who I am at my core, is expressed in my surroundings.
How do you keep busy?
Do you separate the weekend and weekdays?
Honestly? I am still trying to figure that one out...I work a lot now that quarantine hit and I’m trying to make sure that I just don’t spend Saturday and Sunday in bed. I have created boundaries after work though: at 6 pm, I walk away. I have to.
