It’s a Sunday afternoon. I’m sitting in a quiet coffee shop in Queens, stirring my coffee across from the man I love, when he says, calmly and rehearsed, “I’ve never really loved you. And I don’t think I ever will.”
Ouch. It’s safe to say that blueberry pancakes will never taste the same again.
What followed was every phase of heartbreak imaginable. Remorse, regret, rumination. I went through the world with the burden of loving someone who, if I’m honest, didn’t even like me most days. Crying on the subway became routine and Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving became my lifeline.
Just when I thought the world had shrunk to the size of my grief, life threw me a bone – a random, unexpected invitation to Club Med in the Dominican Republic. I didn’t know it yet, but this was the plot twist my heart so desperately needed.
A few days later I was on a plane to the Dominican Republic with five nights ahead of me at the all-inclusive Club Med Punta Cana and Club Med Michès. I’ve never been to the Dominican Republic, but after hours of Googling, I was convinced I’d found the perfect getaway. After all, nothing cures heartbreak faster than an open bar, right?
Not quite.
To no one’s surprise, I spent the first few nights at the resort broken. As black women, we don’t always feel held down in our relationships. The breakup felt like a generational curse. Most days I felt like I was screaming into the void to truly be seen, accepting half-hearted apologies and lingering comments designed to make me feel small. Someone call Madea and tell her to prepare the grits!
Then it clicked. Black women deserve luxury. We deserve softness. And damn, we deserve an all-inclusive resort! So I would become my ancestors’ wildest dream. I would have a love story worth writing even if I were Prince Charming.
So the next day I dragged myself out of bed, put on my bathing suit, and decided to become the best boyfriend I’ve ever had.
Spa time: Luxury lifts the soul
I spent my first few days at Club Med Spa: Punta Cana, where I discovered how much luxury can lift the soul. The morning started with an Aperol Spritz overlooking the Atlantic in the Buena Vista Lounge. The sun enveloped me and gave me the warmth I had been craving for weeks. The lounge also offered a buffet selection from all over the world, Italian, Asian, Mediterranean, you name it. And did I mention that I’m an emotional eater? I closed the buffet.
Every evening I attended one of the classic Club Med parties. Their iconic all-white party was the perfect excuse for me to put on heels and feel like myself again. Live bands and circus shows took me out of my head and I ended up meeting women spanning multiple generations, each with their own messy stories about men. And suddenly I didn’t feel so alone anymore.
Self-care as the ultimate breakup cure
Of course, self-care didn’t stop there. I participated in Club Med’s Wellness Fusion program, attending yoga classes and guided meditations led by local experts. I realized that restoring my peace of mind wasn’t just about escaping the grief. It was about actively choosing to develop myself in every way possible.
We spent the last few days at Club Med Michès and I can tell you, this resort was a dream. The two resorts are not close to each other. Michès is about two hours drive east, hidden in the province of El Seibo, surrounded by lush palm groves, rugged mountains and secluded beaches. The property spans 93 acres and offers everything from treetop yoga to Zen pools, making it feel like its own private world.
The buffet at Michès felt delicious and fresh and I was happy to try everything, for research purposes of course.
Dance it out and let the sun set on heartbreak
And then there was Miches’ all-white party. I drank with new friends from all over the world and screamed Justin Bieber’s “Baby” at the top of my lungs. It was a moment of pure, chaotic joy and a reminder of how big the world really is.
And last but not least, the beach. That was my favorite part. The sun danced across the turquoise waves and to no one’s surprise, I cried. Not out of sadness, but out of appreciation for being alive. To be able to love and feel. Honestly, I could have stayed there forever.
With sunsets on horseback, spa treatments and yoga flows as part of Club Med’s Wellness Fusion program, I realized that Michès was not just a vacation, but a masterclass in reclaiming peace, enjoyment and joy.
KODAK Digital Photo Camera
Listen, men suck. And this has been the case since the beginning of time. The trip didn’t completely erase my grief, but it reminded me that there is so much more to life than one person’s opinion. There is joy, connection and peace waiting to be found. You don’t need an all-inclusive resort to heal, but sometimes it helps to keep your distance, take care of your mind, and let the world slow down. As I continue this journey of self-discovery, I hope to carry this sense of wonder and lightness with me wherever I go.
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