Birthday Meanings and Celebrations

My birthday is next week and it’s got me thinking about the rituals we have for marking the occasion. This year, its one of those “big” ones (you know, the ones that end in either a 5 or a 0.)   What does it mean?  How do I celebrate?

I’ll admit that this year is no different than most; I’m filled with a little anxiety as the day approaches.  “What do you want to do for your birthday?” my husband has started to ask. My typical response is, “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it much.” Life is busy and despite the fact that each year I want to give my birthday special attention, it usually approaches quickly and is gone before I know it.

What is it about birthdays?  For me, I don’t have fear about getting older (although I admit I’m not happy with the increasing number of gray hairs or wrinkles I have.) My anxiety comes from wanting to find a significant way to mark the day. To properly acknowledge it’s meaning.  But why do I have all these expectations weighing on me to mark it the right way?  Do others feels this same way?

Meanings

What exactly is the meaning of birthdays?  Why do we give them significance?I’m not sure I have the answers to those questions. These questions give rise to many others for me.  Is it a celebration of the day we entered this world?  Is it a day to mark that “I survived another year”?  Is it recognition of the impact we’ve had in our lives?  Is it just an excuse to eat, drink and be merry with friends and loved ones?

I’ve always thought of my birthday as the start of my new year – literally a day of rebirth for me. A day when I acknowledge that I’ve managed to make it through another year on the roller coaster of life; a day to take stock of all that I’m grateful for; a day to look ahead to what the next year of life has to offer. It’s a day that gives me new hope.  Just as the tree and flower buds hold the potential of Summer’s abundance, the 29^th of March holds the promise of 365 upcoming days to collect meaningful and fulfilling moments of life – to honor my values, to accomplish goals, learn and grow as a human being, to build new relationships and to strengthen old ones.

Celebrations

Big parties?  Small intimate dinners or lunches?  A cake with candles?  Indulging in your favorite foods?  A day of pampering?  Getting away?   Jump out of an airplane?

How to celebrate?  This might be the part that causes the most anxiety for me.  There’s something in me that feels like celebrating my birthday in a big way is self-indulgent.  Like I’m making the assumption that others want to be part of celebrating “me.”  But if its about marking all that the year has held for you and the promise of what’s to come, what’s better than surrounding yourself with love and spending the occasion with close friends and loved ones?

My guess is that they way you choose celebrate is all about the meaning you attribute to your birthday.  This year, all I have planned so far is a home-cooked dinner with a small handful of close friends and family.  I’m also giving myself the day off of work.  I’d like to spend time outside in nature (weather permitting) and maybe partake in a little self-care by scheduling a much-needed haircut and maybe even a massage.  Feels like a good plan but not sure it captures all that I’d like it to.

I’m very open to ideas and would love your help.  What meaning does your birthday hold for you? What do you do to celebrate your birthday?  Any favorite traditions you keep?

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