A few years ago I wrote about birthday traditions I shared with friends, but this topic needs another look, as those traditions have since faded. Last year I had a first date on my birthday (lol) which turned out to be really pleasant! Huh. The year before that, my thirtieth birthday was very challenging. I don’t remember 29, but 28 was lots of fun; my cousin made me a surprise outdoor party (this was during COVID) on a gorgeous summer night and it is such a great memory.
Recently I read an article from HuffPost (that was mentioned on Gretchen Rubin’s podcast), by a woman who decided to celebrate the year she turned 70 by having 70 experiences with loved ones. I LOVE this idea and I am totally stealing it, but sooner (like for 40).
This year I have a wedding in Israel the week of my birthday, so I will hopefully be either in Israel or maybe in a European city(!) on my birthday. Will update!
How do you want to celebrate your birthday this year?
I hope you get to travel for your birthday! That sounds so nice – to be creating memories through experiences in other countries.
I actually preferred not to celebrate my birthday this year. I also decided I didn’t want any tangible item that will be a reminder of this birthday. So no presents, please. I didn’t want to be able to look at whatever item I was gifted in 5 years from now and be reminded that “this was my x-years-old birthday present.” In order to avoid that, I made sure to request a specific experience from my parents in place of a gift. But then I decided I needed a gift, so I went out and bought myself a ridiculously overpriced makeup gadget. 🙂 It somehow feels different when it’s from myself.
I have definitely had birthdays when I didn’t want anyone to acknowledge it and just wanted to do something for myself. I think for 26 I took myself to Anastasia on Broadway.