Last year I made a huge mistake on my birthday. I make this mistake every few years or so-I didn’t celebrate it. The thing is I LOVE celebrations, I love birthdays (and any reason to celebrate), and I love any excuse to spend time with my friends.
Last year I didn’t celebrate my birthday. In fact, I was so quiet about it that most people completely missed my birthday until weeks later. Why did I give my last birthday the silent treatment? Because I was upset with the fact that I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my life. I was single, broke, had gained weight, working the same job for years, basically I was stagnating and I knew it. What I didn’t want to admit was-where I was at in life was due to my actions and inactions.
I denied my friends an opportunity to take a break from the grind, to gather together, to laugh, reminisce, and to remember that we’re all connected. It is my view that we don’t spend enough time with celebrating one another and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable about our fears and troubles with our family and friends.
Maybe if I’d allowed my friends to see that I was struggling I would have allowed them to see that I wasn’t as strong as they thought. To be vulnerable with real friends is a very powerful thing. Maybe they would have shared the same fears and concerns or different ones that I could have supported them through.
I forgot that each day is a blessing! The age is irrelevant, but the fact that you have aged is! Don’t take life for granted. So, this year I am so excited to spend time with my family and friends as I celebrate my next year.
At the end of the day, life is a journey and some parts of the journey are bumpy. How you deal with the bumps are up to you.
I’m taking the day off, I’m going to get a mani-pedi. I’m going to do a survey and make $100 bucks. I’m going to spend time with my mom and I’m going to celebrate each day!
As for my life, I’m still single and I’m working on that. I’m still a little overweight and I’m working on that. I’m still in debt and I’m working on that.
The problem is I forgot last year is that things do change. You just have to believe and work towards the vision that you have for yourself. Without action there is no momentum and things will stay the same. I am pleased to say that I am beginning to experience the thrill of momentum. Things are starting to change and the future looks bright!
Nothing is easy, but change isn’t so hard that it’s impossible. I now have a vision and a plan to change my life and I’m loving (almost) every minute of that process.
Let your friends gather around you and share their strength, love, and support. Let them hug you, listen to you, and support you in the way that friends do. Reciprocate that love and support. Have some wine, beers, cute little appetizers, and get dressed up. Take pictures and make sure to remember that moment. You are loved and cared for-let your friends show it.
So, I’ve allowed my friends to spoil me rotten. I’ve been taken out for meals, celebrated, given cards, and loved. I will in turn do the same for my dear friends and family. It makes me feel quite emotional thinking about how much my friends and family have supported me. They ROCK! Now, I’m off to get a mani-pedi as I’ve taken today off. Love my life!
Question: Have you ever decided not to celebrate your birthday? Why? Are you where you want to be in life? How are you working to change your life? Any advice?
Latest posts by Michelle (see all)
- How Work Policies Against Black Women Birthed a Love of the Soft Life - 20 March, 2024
- How Taylor Swift’s IP Victory Could Change the Business of Music - 28 February, 2024
- Why Don’t More Personal Finance Content Creators Talk About Policy - 16 January, 2024
I often don’t celebrate my birthday because it is the last day of the year and no one is ever around (they are all on holidays). This year though we are doing something because it is the big 30.
Anyway I hope you have a great day 🙂
This year I command that your friends take you on vacation! Having a bday on a holiday is always a little rough. When I was little the teachers felt bad for the kids who had birthdays during the summer, so they would celebrate summer birthdays in January. It was great! Thanks for the bday wishes I have been celebrating for the last couple of weeks. I’ve had friends in from out of town for the past couple weeks. My friends with a tiny baby are in town so I get to play with my little buddy. He is so cute!!Life is great.
I loved this post, Michelle! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and I hope you have fabulous birthday celebrations!! I always celebrate my birthday, without failure. I’m actually looking forward to my 30th birthday (I think I’m the only girl out there who can’t wait to turn 30, haha!) and a huge celebration that it deserves. I won’t say I am where I want to be in life, but life is great and I appreciate everything I’ve got!
Thank you so much for the bday wishes. It has been a great day and I’m feeling fantastic. Today I was on my own (this is a good thing). Tomorrow and Friday are Happy Hours, Friday after the happy hour I’m going to a really cool Meet Up. Saturday I am going to a Risky Business party then riding in the Moonlight Classic bike ride. Followed by Cirque du Soleil on Sunday. Boom! I’ve also had the chance to hang out with several friends who are visiting from out of town. Love it! Am blessed.
Ah! I missed your birthday by about 20 minutes, so happy belated birthday. 🙂 I hope it was wonderful.
I’ve never decided not to celebrate a birthday. This year was my 26th, and up until the morning of my birthday, I felt very ho hum about it. I didn’t want to celebrate, couldn’t decide what I wanted to do, didn’t care about turning 26. Then David left a really silly/cute birthday card on the front door for me, so I saw it on my way to work. (He gets to sleep in late every morning – lucky!) It totally changed the day around!
I agree that if we let our friends/family see our vulnerabilities not only can they support us but a lot of times they mirror our fears/concerns/insecurities back to us. It turns out we’re not alone! And we’re able to share those fears and work on solutions together, which helps us feel less alone. I hope this coming year is wonderful for you, and you make all kinds of progress toward your goals!
Thanks! It was a wonderful day and it’s still my birthday by 1 1/2 hours (I’m in Colorado!) I really felt loved and supported this year and am so grateful for the people in my life. Last year I was very directionless and so I found myself overwhelmed by what I felt to be my underwhelming life. What a ridiculous mindset. Every moment is a blessing and I lost track of that. Now, I’m going to pay off a credit card! Boom-what a great day.
Happy birthday (sorry I’m a day late). This year because me and the HB were busy getting married then moving we didn’t really celebrate our birthdays, and it was actually totally fine to just do dinner and something subdued.
Thanks chica!No worries, with summer birthdays everyone always misses the date-LOL! It has been an amazing week filled with friends, great news, and laughter!
Happy Belated Birthday. I always take off on my Bday because who the heck wants to work on their special day, not this guy. I do it because I want to be free on my bday. I guess retirement will be an everyday birthday celebration.
I learned the hard way, I will NEVER work on my birthday again. I had a great day, was totally relaxed, and did a mock jury and made $100 bucks! I walked in the park and took care of myself. Am feeling great about life!
Happy Birthday (a day late)! I’m so glad you decided to celebrate your birthday!! It’s still your special day no matter where you are in life. I always celebrate but some years are more low key than others, usually not for any particular reason. I’m OK with where I’m at in life. My career and finances are looking up, but I’d really like to be in a relationship. I feel odd not being in one. 🙁 The thing is though I know in my heart I really haven’t put myself out there, so I have no one to blame but myself. Hope this year is the greatest for you!
Thanks Tonya! I’ve had an amazing week. I found out a friend is pregnant and having her baby in two months. Another set of friends were a stealth couple and got engaged! They’ll be getting married in a month. People have been taking me out (I’ve been spoiled rotten) am going to Cirque Du Soleil on Sunday, and I have had a ton of out of town friends in town. SO awesome!!! Each day is a blessing and I really need to get in the habit of actively practicing gratitude. I totally understand about the relationship thing and have been working hard on that. It’s a process…kind of like debt repayment! Painful but worth it.
Hi, sorry Michelle i missed you birthday Belated Happy Birthday…..:)
Thanks for the bday wishes! It has been a fantastic week so far!
<3
Happy belated birthday! I must admit I've had some disappointing birthdays but I always make a point of doing something a little special. I hope you had a kickass one this year.
Thanks for the bday wishes! It was great 🙂 I’ve had some crappy birthdays…but, I would like to try and create some positive birthday memories. So, I’ve tasked myself with that! I do plan on having a kick ass year-I’ve just realized that I have to work at.
This is absolutely beautiful– vulnerable, hopeful, and reflective. Excellent and inspiring read.
Aww, thanks! I felt very alone last year when I didn’t need to feel that way. I’m thinking about going on a trip next year and visiting some friends. We’ll see!
Happy Belated Birthday to you, Michelle. I hope you had a blast.
Thanks! It was a great day 🙂
I love that you have a positive outlook on life, Michelle. Keep it up.
Thanks, I have positive outlook on life after working through my negative outlook on life. It takes a lot less energy to be happy 🙂
I’m trying, some days are easier than others.