EDITOR’S LETTER
Limbo is a publication built in lockdown, about lockdown. It explores these turbulent times through 3 different lenses. Life, love and looks. In March 2020, the country, and the whole world competed in one very long game of limbo. The competition was tough, and our moods were unstable. When cases went high, what people really wondered was, how low can you go? This body of work is not about the news, the facts, or the statistics. We have had a year overflowing with those. Limbo is here to inspire, rather than inform. To be a friend to the person locked down alone, to be a lover to the lonely singletons and to dream away the days with you. Expect crystalised face masks, mesh gloves, and a lot of faceless individuals. To enjoy its full capabilities you will need a glass of wine, a bath and a duvet. Now get your mask, wash your hands and you’re ready to read.
LIFE
IN
LIMBO
FANTASISE YOUR FUTURE LIFE.
THE NEW NORM
Patiently waiting for life to resume. There seems to be no hours or days in corona time. They blend together, leaving us with no idea of if its January or August. As the days pass by we dream of normality. But deep down we ask ourselves, could this be the new normal?
A TIME FOR REFLECTION.
F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** F***
YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU
COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID COVID
LIMBO noun definition: an uncertain situation that you cannot control and in which there is no progress or improvement: If you say that someone or something is in limbo, you mean that they are in a situation where they seem to be caught between two stages and it is unclear what will happen next.
We’re Stuck in Lockdown Limbo, and this is how we’re spending our days. We feel like our lives have been paused. Constantly sat waiting with bated breath every time we know Boris is going to talk. Self-isolation and social distancing. It feels like we are living in two worlds at once. Forcing ourselves to do that walk around the park again for the 100th time. But we have faith for better times in 2021, are we kidding ourselves?
2020
TILL COVID...
Love Letters
My Darling,
If you’re worried, don’t be. Time will pass and we will be together before you know it. I know these times are tough, I know life is hard right now and I’m sorry it this way. Stay positive, think about the memories we can soon make. Each day I’m full of hope that we are one day closer to being back together. I want you to remember, I love you dearly. We will get through this. So keep doing what you’re doing. keep smiling, keep laughing, and believe me when I say this time will pass. Love, Tom.
Lockdown is hard, harder than I ever expected. Especially without you here. When I think of the last time I saw you I was more than sure we would be together in a matter of weeks or even days. But now the time is so uncertain, I don’t even know when I will next see you. I am here alone, working alone, cooking alone, everything you can think of I’m doing it alone. On Fridays at 5 pm, I still prepare a steak for you, as we did together every week. I hold on to hope that you will be back in time as I know you would never miss it. I pour a glass of sauvignon blanc, your favourite as I wait for you but as the night goes on, I then realise you won’t be back. I know work is important to you, of course, I understand that. I just wish things weren’t this way. I am worried about you. Though you may try to hide it, I know it’s not easy for you being in a place that’s not home. All my love, Angela.
...DO US PART.
Tom,
Angela, 42 days into lockdown. Still no sign of when I will be home. It feels surreal, doesn’t it? Like something you would see in a movie. On most days, I am okay. But I won’t deny this time I am starting to struggle being away from home. I miss you. I miss our Friday steak nights. I miss our home and our lives together. I can’t seem to see when this will all go away. My life is stuck in this limbo, there’s no clear answer. One day it’s good news then the next day it’s bad. I can’t keep up with it. All I want is a clear date I can look forward to. Days are turning into weeks; weeks are turning into months. Time is just passing. This time should be spent with you. At first it was fine, I kept myself occupied with work. When I got free time I started to run, and you know how long I’ve been wanting to run again. But then it just hit me. I keep getting this feeling I can’t shake off. I just want to be home. I want to be with you. I’m still holding on to that hope and I hope you are too. One day passes, One day closer to being with you. Love, Tom. Dear my Tom, Hang in there. I can feel good news coming. You told me to stay positive now you must too. The rules are starting to ease here which is a positive sign. People are jumping back into ‘normal’ life. Ques for pubs, ques for cafes, ques everywhere you would never believe it. But for me, I can’t. I need you back before it can be normal again. I’m still ‘working from home’, I have to admit it’s just a day spent procrastinating. A day I spend staring at the walls thinking about life before. I do try to go on a daily walk through. I often spot the planes flying past and I always hope it’s you inside. Oh, and how could I forget … I found a new hobby too, gardening!! Can you believe it? Me in the garden, I’m shocked too. With nowhere to go and nothing else to do, I thought to myself it would be one less job for you. I hope next time I won’t have to write. I hope you’ll be back. Keep going Tom and remember what you said, “the time will pass.” Love, A.
FEAR WILL NOT STOP US.
LOCKDOWN LOOKS.
A Fashion Scandal VIRTUAL SHOOTS ONLY. In a socially distance world, all physical shoots have been put on hold.
2020FA
ASHION
All dressed up and nowhere to go.
WASH YOUR HANDS.
Soap sales are soaring. Washing our hands is now up there with sleeping, eating and breathing. Our palms have never been so dry, but our fingers have never been so clean. Imagine a world where we can go into a shop being greeted by a smile rather than a soap dispenser. Once diamonds were a girls best friend, now is it soap?
A Publication by Lauryn Whitfield.