wow i loved reading this!! i relate so much to your sentiments about how birthdays can feel dull, anxiety-inducing, and ironically, un-special. after my 12th birthday, my birthdays began to feel extremely heavy and honestly a period of sadness to me. it all has changed this year though! with ny 24th birthday coming up in a few weeks, im looking forward to reframing my mindset and enjoying my birthday alone and on my own terms. your post def gave me inspo and reassurance!! thank u for sharing :)
I’m so touched by your comment — thank you for reading and for sharing a bit of your story. It really means a lot to know the piece resonated. I completely get what you mean about birthdays feeling strangely heavy... it’s something so few people talk about. I’m so happy to hear that this year feels different for you, and that you're reclaiming your day on your own terms. Wishing you a peaceful, joy-filled 24th. you absolutely deserve it 🤍
"Instead of feeling special, my birthdays have always made me feel the most un-special I possibly could. And I dread that feeling. Because I know I deserve better, even if nobody else agrees." This sentiment is so real. Birthdays can be so much harder than people often talk about, and this post was such a lovely way to approach your birthday celebration. I also have really been embracing doing nice/fun things with/for/by myself lately, so this really resonated. Thank you for such a beautiful, thoughtful read!
Birthdays can bring up so many unexpected emotions. For many of us, there is a dissonance between what the day is supposed to feel like and what it actually does. I’m so glad the post resonated with you.
I’m really glad the post resonated with you, and I love that you’ve been doing nice things for yourself lately. There’s something quietly radical about showing up for ourselves like that. It’s such a good reminder that we can create our own kind of joy, even on the tougher days. 💛
The way birthdays can feel like an obligation rather than a celebration, the quiet disappointment, the anxiety of wanting thoughtfulness but rarely getting it - I felt all of that. I love how you reclaimed your day and made it entirely yours. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to wait for others to make us feel special... we can do it for ourselves. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much for this, it really means a lot. You’ve summed it up so well: birthdays can come with such mixed emotions, and that quiet hope for thoughtfulness can feel heavy. I’m really glad this post resonated with you. Reclaiming the day in my own way felt healing, and I love that it sparked something for you too. Here’s to making space for our own kind of special. 💛
I love how you celebrated your birthday by yourself—doing your list, all the things you've wanted, and just being in your cocoon! Birthdays are always special and happy for me! I'm always hyped up and excited for my birthdays, and a few years ago, I decided on this idea: I’d do something I’ve never done before on my birthday!
It’s been extra fun, and I started this self-trend with my first owl tattoo, then my first trek to the Himalayas, and lil vacay stay with my family. I love that, on my birthday, I’m far from everyone yet so close to myself—it’s my way of celebrating me! ❤️
I love that so much! what a beautiful way to mark each year! Doing something new on your birthday feels like such an intentional way to honour growth and self-celebration. The owl tattoo, the Himalayas, a family vacay - it all sounds magical. I’m definitely inspired to make space for something like that next year. 💛
This is so lovely. Birthdays bring expectations and a day free of them is a gift. Thanks for sharing your birthday. My birthday is near Christmas and often feels like a hassle for everyone. I end up doing something to fit in with everyone else. So I shall be rethinking this year’s birthday!
birthdays around busy times always get overshadowed! I really hope you get to reclaim it this year and do something that feels like you. Even if it’s tiny and quiet, a moment just for yourself can go a long way. Sending good birthday energy in advance 💛
For a second , it was like reading something I would write . I too carry the weight of being overlooked on my birthdays and exhausted with the turn of events and they people around me reacted in the past . It was a bitter experience here and there. I first celebrated my birthday alone when I was 22 in a new city , with my dream internship in hand and a place of my own. Did all the things that I love and called it a day ! Can relate to this so much! 🌸
I spent my 25th birthday alone a few years ago. It was the most peaceful and liberating transition to a new year and age. I encourage everyone to do it at least once intentionally and consciously!
Yes, exactly! There’s something so quietly powerful about marking the day on your own terms. It’s like pressing reset and getting to tune into who you are, without the noise. I love that you’ve experienced that kind of peace too — I agree, everyone should try it at least once 💛
wow i loved reading this!! i relate so much to your sentiments about how birthdays can feel dull, anxiety-inducing, and ironically, un-special. after my 12th birthday, my birthdays began to feel extremely heavy and honestly a period of sadness to me. it all has changed this year though! with ny 24th birthday coming up in a few weeks, im looking forward to reframing my mindset and enjoying my birthday alone and on my own terms. your post def gave me inspo and reassurance!! thank u for sharing :)
I’m so touched by your comment — thank you for reading and for sharing a bit of your story. It really means a lot to know the piece resonated. I completely get what you mean about birthdays feeling strangely heavy... it’s something so few people talk about. I’m so happy to hear that this year feels different for you, and that you're reclaiming your day on your own terms. Wishing you a peaceful, joy-filled 24th. you absolutely deserve it 🤍
"Instead of feeling special, my birthdays have always made me feel the most un-special I possibly could. And I dread that feeling. Because I know I deserve better, even if nobody else agrees." This sentiment is so real. Birthdays can be so much harder than people often talk about, and this post was such a lovely way to approach your birthday celebration. I also have really been embracing doing nice/fun things with/for/by myself lately, so this really resonated. Thank you for such a beautiful, thoughtful read!
Birthdays can bring up so many unexpected emotions. For many of us, there is a dissonance between what the day is supposed to feel like and what it actually does. I’m so glad the post resonated with you.
I’m really glad the post resonated with you, and I love that you’ve been doing nice things for yourself lately. There’s something quietly radical about showing up for ourselves like that. It’s such a good reminder that we can create our own kind of joy, even on the tougher days. 💛
The way birthdays can feel like an obligation rather than a celebration, the quiet disappointment, the anxiety of wanting thoughtfulness but rarely getting it - I felt all of that. I love how you reclaimed your day and made it entirely yours. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to wait for others to make us feel special... we can do it for ourselves. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much for this, it really means a lot. You’ve summed it up so well: birthdays can come with such mixed emotions, and that quiet hope for thoughtfulness can feel heavy. I’m really glad this post resonated with you. Reclaiming the day in my own way felt healing, and I love that it sparked something for you too. Here’s to making space for our own kind of special. 💛
I love how you celebrated your birthday by yourself—doing your list, all the things you've wanted, and just being in your cocoon! Birthdays are always special and happy for me! I'm always hyped up and excited for my birthdays, and a few years ago, I decided on this idea: I’d do something I’ve never done before on my birthday!
It’s been extra fun, and I started this self-trend with my first owl tattoo, then my first trek to the Himalayas, and lil vacay stay with my family. I love that, on my birthday, I’m far from everyone yet so close to myself—it’s my way of celebrating me! ❤️
I love that so much! what a beautiful way to mark each year! Doing something new on your birthday feels like such an intentional way to honour growth and self-celebration. The owl tattoo, the Himalayas, a family vacay - it all sounds magical. I’m definitely inspired to make space for something like that next year. 💛
This is so lovely. Birthdays bring expectations and a day free of them is a gift. Thanks for sharing your birthday. My birthday is near Christmas and often feels like a hassle for everyone. I end up doing something to fit in with everyone else. So I shall be rethinking this year’s birthday!
birthdays around busy times always get overshadowed! I really hope you get to reclaim it this year and do something that feels like you. Even if it’s tiny and quiet, a moment just for yourself can go a long way. Sending good birthday energy in advance 💛
For a second , it was like reading something I would write . I too carry the weight of being overlooked on my birthdays and exhausted with the turn of events and they people around me reacted in the past . It was a bitter experience here and there. I first celebrated my birthday alone when I was 22 in a new city , with my dream internship in hand and a place of my own. Did all the things that I love and called it a day ! Can relate to this so much! 🌸
I spent my 25th birthday alone a few years ago. It was the most peaceful and liberating transition to a new year and age. I encourage everyone to do it at least once intentionally and consciously!
Yes, exactly! There’s something so quietly powerful about marking the day on your own terms. It’s like pressing reset and getting to tune into who you are, without the noise. I love that you’ve experienced that kind of peace too — I agree, everyone should try it at least once 💛
thats a perfect way to describe it!