These Prince lyrics to the pre-summer jam, Hot Thing, was my anthem for the summer of 1987.
Hot Thing! Barely 21.
Hot Thing! Looking 4 big fun.
I was finishing up my junior year in high school. Just got my driver’s license and a new (to me) car. And I was full of youthful vigor.
I still feel like that youthful vigorous teenager. The difference is, that was 28 years ago (OMG…did I say 28 years – smh), I’m married, and have married-man responsibilities.
But my wife and I fell into that married-life rut. Work/life balance was anything but balanced. We were burning the candles on both ends. Late nights…early mornings – week after week. You know the saying “Work hard. Play hard.” Well…we were working hard, but not playing at all. So I made a snap judgment call. We’re going to the Bahamas!
Confirmed with my wife. Booked reservations and flight on Thursday. By Monday, my feet were in the white sand of somebody’s beach for three days. Yeah…they got us on the airfare…and the food was 2-3 times more expensive. But so what! We needed to get away to maintain our mental sanity.
Couples! Sometimes it can’t be about the kids, the job, your parents, or any other social organization that puts demands on your time. Sometimes they…not you…have to take one for the team, while the two of you get away to regain your own piece of mind. For once, it has to be 100%, unforgivingly selfishly about you!
If you have been going and going non-stop, here are 4 selfish things you can do to steal-away and take a break from it all.
- Glamping. A lot of people don’t think camping is a fun vacation because it’s outdoors. But there’s a new trend called glamping, that’s a hybrid of camping and the glamorous amenities of a hotel. You can find your own glamping destination, or buy one of those huge tents and a queen size air mattresses and go camping at a campsite. That’s the only way I got my wife to go camping with me.
- Caribbean All-inclusive. There are so many deals and specials for Caribbean all-inclusive resorts. There are also many deals by airlines shuttling you to-and-fro. It will take a little online research, but you can find a descent all-inclusive resort at a descent price. It doesn’t have to be one of the major chains. Remember, it’s about just getting away for a few days.
- 4-7 Day Cruise. With cruises, it’s not always about the destination, but the fact that the two of you can just sit back in the Caribbean sun and chill for several days while someone else waits on you. One time, we didn’t even go into port. We watched a movie poolside and ate pizza. And with expanding departure ports, you can even save money off airfare by driving to a port close to your home.
- Spa/Golf Resort. If golf is your way of relaxing, pack up the clubs and hit the lynx. But find a resort that also has a nice spa for relaxing. Nothing will get you right like a nice massage treatment.
This is not your…”throw caution to the wind” kind of trip. That was my attitude back when I was barely 21. This is your…”Imma about to slap someone…so lemme get my mind right before I catch a case up in this (*beep*)” kind of trip. You know you need it! So cash in on the fruits of your labor and take a mental-getaway for the two of you.