The Value of Escaping

Dear Fashionable Academics,

I recently returned from a fabulous honeymoon in the Bahamas. I write in order to urge all of you to take a honeymoon, whether you're married or single or just in need of a break. We didn't spend a bundle, we had a completely wonderful experience, and I have returned a completely sane Megarita, which is saying a LOT.

First, we designed our wedding around our honeymoon. I love snorkeling and beach, and my new husband loves the beach and was willing to try snorkeling, so I devoted my research brain (which had not been functioning since the engagement -- be warned) to finding an affordable place in a beautiful location. After about two weeks, I found a small dive resort on one of the outlying islands in the Bahamas. It's nestled among a scattering of residences, has its own beach, a dive shop, and the vibe of a larger B&B. In addition, it was very much in our price range. With flights, food, and hotel, we could spend around $2000 on close to a week of island time.*

We found a stretch of time at the Greenwood Resort (link here, if you're interested), and then went back a week or two to book the wedding. I married another teacher, so we had the wedding during my spring break, and the honeymoon during his. (High School vacation is a bit stricter than university.) This system worked out beautifully, because we got to have a small, fun wedding and then blow most of our money (although really not that much) on travel.

Do travel. Do get away and spend six days in a place that requires nothing from you except eating, sleeping, swimming, pointing at fish, and the occasional walk. Do not bring anything except silly books to read. Bring a camera to record the silly things you see. Prepare to be silent and thoughtless for long stretches. Drink a little or a lot, stuff yourself with delicious and exotic foods, and connect with your friend, your lover, your spouse.

This trip saved me as a person. The wedding, small and painless as it was, nearly wrecked me as a human being. Traveling to the Bahamas, just with my fella, reminded me that I could be fun, and playful, and STILL. So very still. I'm in the midst of finals now, and I'm not completely evil,unlike every year in recent memory. I can only thank the honeymoon for that. We work thankless jobs for little money a lot of the time. After a year of furloughs, insurance rate hikes, and a spitefully tiny job market, I needed to play in the islands. I encourage you to treat yourself well in a similar manner.

Peacefully,
Megarita
*an important sidebar, for us at least. My husband and I swore that we would not go into debt for the wedding or the honeymoon. We got some money from friends and family, but not anything exorbitant. We lowballed everything. We could have been somewhere posh for the honeymoon, or I could have worn a big white dress or had a cake or something, but we got back from the Bahamas WITH NO BILLS TO PAY. This is key, I think. No burden.