The beauty of evolving into adulthood is that you can begin to set new traditions for yourself, despite what your upbringing was. I celebrated my birthday a week ago, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have celebrated each birthday since I could remember. I don’t think I have ever missed having cake or some kind of celebration on my birthday and I am so grateful to my mum for making sure of that!
But, I recognize that some of us may not have had the same experience. However, now you’re no longer that little boy/girl, you can stand on two feet and decide how you want your birthday to look.
I think a birthday is a big deal. Can you imagine God decided that the world would need you the day you were born? With this in mind, I think your birthday is worth celebrating. I have five ways you can do so, by yourself.
1. Write a letter to your future self
There is a site known as futureme.org whereby you can write a letter to your future self. On your birthday, you can write about how the past year has been. What were your best moments? Worst moments? Then as you look forward to your new year, what are your future plans? Things you’d like to achieve? And anything else you’d like to write about? Then send it to the future. You’ll receive it a year later after you wrote it. The essence of this activity is to reflect and take stock which is very important. Instead of living life on autopilot, sometimes pause, reflect, and think.
2. Buy yourself a gift
Receiving gifts is the last on my list of love languages, but hey! That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t appreciate a gift from a loved one. Instead of waiting for people to get you something, which isn’t bad at all, how about saving money or doing what you need to do to buy yourself a gift? This could be an item, a bouquet, or even a trip. This year, I bought myself a smart watch which is something I had been thinking about and saving for. I chose it because it’s a way for me to reinforce the healthy habit of daily movement. I’m also lowkey a techie and lover of gadgets, so this was a dream come true.
The fact that you have made it to a new year is a cause for celebration and a gift can be a way to create a memory of turning a new age that year.
3. Give back to your community
One of the most beautiful ways to commemorate a new year can be to be present with others and spend your time, money, and energy in service to the needs of the community around you. You could take part in an outreach activity like visiting a children’s home, buying some snacks, and spending the day with them. You could participate in a street cleanup around your neighborhood or even a tree-planting exercise. Instead of pouting and being sad that so and so didn’t wish you ‘a happy birthday’ , a better option would be shifting that energy to serving and taking your eyes off you.
4. Have a self-care day
A birthday is an allowable excuse for a full day of pampering. Of course, self-care means different things for everyone. For me, self-care definitely has shopping, food and perhaps going for a mani-pedi or facial. For you it may be doing something fun, sleeping in, reading a book. As long as it fills your cup, and gives you the energy to show up to the world at your best, do it for yourself on your birthday.
5. Go for a solo date
I am dead serious when I say that on your birthday you could go on a date like you would be going on a date with another person. Plan where you’ll go, have a budget, have an outfit, and go. I know it can be intimidating and even cringe to go to a restaurant by yourself and be alone the whole time but, the essence of it is to start creating a relationship with yourself. When you know, understand, and have a close connection with yourself, you’ll be more attuned with who you are, what you want out of life, the way you’d like to be treated, and identifying yourself beyond what you do, what you have, or where you come from. The benefits are endless. One of the greatest challenges in life is to face oneself, and this can be a way to start or continue a rewarding journey of discovery.
In conclusion, Happy birthday to me, and to all February babies. We are the best & the sweetest!
PSA, since my birthday is on the 1st of February, I choose to celebrate it for the entire month! It’s only right!
Till next post,
Miss Kambe.
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