Does Vacation Cure Burnout? How My Bermuda Trip Helped

Before this trip, my knowledge of Bermuda was relegated to conspiracy theories about triangles and photos of clear-blue beaches and pink sand. Well, the beaches were stunning, I made it back in one piece, and I learned so much more about the Bermuda islands and its people. From an exclusive intimate concert, to a historic walking tour, to a paint and sip in a scenic cave, I was stunned by every activity and every Bermudian I got to meet. I think you can tell a lot about a group of people and their culture by their art, and the Bermudian people — and their art — are vibrant, bold, and community-focused. Being surrounded by folks who take such pride in their small town vibe (yes, Bermuda is a whole ass self-governing territory, but it’s so small it feels like Stars Hollow) and their culture was inspiring. It also reminded me that above everything else, it’s both the simple stuff (like drinking a rum swizzle, Bermuda’s signature drink, on the beach) and the big moments (like standing in the same room as the first Black woman to publish an autobiography of her experience being enslaved) that can put everything else into perspective. Work stress doesn’t seem all that important anymore when you’re soaking in the sights and story of a place as beautiful and historic as Bermuda. With all that in mind, here are some highlights from my trip.