Birthdays can have a big impact on us mentally. How we approach them differs according to our life experiences, cultural factors and individual perspectives. March is my birthday month, and I will say that I have mixed feelings when it comes to my birthday. On one hand, I want to be celebrated and acknowledged. On the other hand, I sort of want to ignore the day and hide out. I’m sure that I’m not alone in these types of contradictory thoughts.
When it comes to a birthday, we tend to reflect and self-evaluate. We spend time thinking about our setbacks, achievements, and overall growth. This can either leave us feeling very accomplished, or very disappointed if we are not where we want to be. It’s also on our birthdays that we begin to think more about aging and mortality. This can cause additional anxiety as we get older and feel our next birthday rapidly approaching.
It’s not all bad though. Birthdays are a time to foster social connections and belonging. When we hear from old friends and relatives on our special day, it can make us feel happy and appreciated. Conversely, those who are more isolated might feel lonely or disappointed if someone they expected to reach out didn’t.
Additionally, with birthdays, there is some pressure to celebrate even if you don’t want to. This can either cause undue stress or be an occasion for fun depending on how you look at it. Age-related milestones call for an even larger celebration (21,30, 40, 50 etc), so their impact will be more significant.
Making the most of birthdays, mentally and emotionally, involves embracing the occasion in a way that makes sense for you and taking time to focus on what makes you happy. There are some ways that you can maximize birthdays, whether you love them or hate them. For starters, use them as an opportunity to set intentions and goals for the year ahead.
Celebrate in a way that you feel good about, and that has to do with your personal preferences. Simplicity is key so lean into your wants and desires. Remember that a birthday is also an opportunity to be grateful for another year with friends and family. Reflect on those blessings and your own personal growth.
If you find yourself still dreading them, it can be fun to create your own birthday tradition. This can give you something to look forward to each year. You should also learn to embrace the aging process; remember what the alternative is. At the end of the day, the more you approach these yearly milestones with a positive attitude, the more joy, growth and connection you will find! Remember that you are not getting older, you are getting better.