I don’t tend to like celebrating my birthday with a group of friends and family (I haven’t since I was 12 and I’m 28 now) - it’s too much pressure. I always try to celebrate by curating a day (or two) filled with all the things I love and bring me joy. For example, this year, I went to my favourite bookshop and stocked up on some books, then went to the Lego shop and created a mini figure, then I went bowling, and to my fave Japanese restaurant in the evening :)
Aug 4, 2024
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my birthday often falls the week of thanksgiving, so i usually just take the day off as a "extending the long weekend" if i don't already get it off. since i moved to the west coast ~3 years ago and most of my friends and family are back in new york, every year on my birthday in the morning i make sure to:
1. respond to every single birthday text i got, and if possible hop on a quick call with as many people as i can. basically just a gratitude practice of "hey as i've gotten older i've not only developed meaningful relationships, i've also held onto a lot of meaningful relationships."
2. eat breakfast out; i think my birthday breakfast for the last two years has been Oddfellows Café + Bar (oddfellowscafe.com), but taking the time to have an extra special solo (or with my partner) breakfast keeps the scaries at bay for at least a couple hours
3. going shopping for a birthday gift for myself in person so i have something to open when i get home.
after that it's pretty much just about having a couple extra things to do during my day like trying a new restaurant / going to a favorite for lunch, running a "fun" errand like dropping off film to get scanned, and then meeting local friends for either dinner out and / or cake and games back at my apartment, etc.
having something where i can look back and feel like i did something is all i'm looking for; i think through my late teens / early twenties i put a lot of emphasis on wanting my my birthday to feel "special" which meant it was doomed to not be "special" enough. since pivoting to having fun my birthday has felt a lot more special since it's just different from the monotony of a normal day, and there wasn't any extra pressure on it
Apr 1, 2024
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hey!
I spent numerous of my birthdays alone, so here's what worked for me
1. make a playlist of your favourite songs. literally every song you ever liked from when you were 10 to now.
2. go to your favourite place, but if you don't have one then just go to a park or a museum. I love people watching while listening to music.
3. book a spa day. that one I haven't tried but sounds fun. spa is better in solitude anyway.
4. eat your favourite food. honestly a game changer lol food is the most amazing thing we as species have created.
5. do something you enjoyed as a kid. painting, blowing bubbles, making sand castles. it makes you feel so good, like you're reconnecting with something that's been asleep deep inside you.
6. if you're not scared to talk to strangers then talk with someone you don't know. at a pub or in a line. could be fun.
happy early birthday!
May 17, 2024
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Every year for my birthday I just pick something I’ve been wanting to do/go to and treat myself. Previously it’s been: going to a vibey dinner place, going to the aquarium and sitting in the leopard shark room, going to an art museum. I like the peace of doing something alone and getting to just be like wow what a fun life I live and how much more there is to see! I plan things with friends too sometimes but this little practice ensures that my birthday is satisfying to me in some way even if my friend plans dont always go as I’d want.
May 19, 2025
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Regardless of where I am (even on holiday) I love to have my coffee outside to start my day. This is always stayed consistent no matter the season or location.
At the moment, i enjoy a morning coffee on my balcony with my precious baby angel cats (yes im a cat mum), before getting ready for the day. Once I‘m ready, I usually end up going for a little walk to my local cafe for an iced oat latte.
When I was living in Brighton, I would go for a daily walk to my local cafe to order an oat flat white and have sleepy chats with locals (and stroke cute dogs). I’d go sit on a bench by the local church for an hour, before starting my day.
Apr 18, 2024
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth is a beautiful book set in the 90s in Ireland. it’s a tender portrayal of first love, growing up and living in a small town.
I wanted more!! I was so sad when it ended :(
Anyone who has read it have any similar recs?
Apr 16, 2024
Apr 16, 2024