Birthdays are a time to celebrate, right? Well, not really in your case.
Actually, that day when you should celebrate yourself becomes a reminder that another year has passed.
Why don’t you want to celebrate your birthday? Because you don’t like all the commotion around your birthday, you have negative experiences from the past, or your birthday reminds you that you haven’t achieved something in your life.
All cultures in the world force us to celebrate our birthdays, get presents, throw a party and be happy that day.
It’s stressful for you, and you want everyone to leave you alone.
And while some reasons why you don’t want to celebrate your birthday seem entirely rational, some may hide your more profound dissatisfaction.
So let’s list those reasons and see if it’s possible to avoid that birthday anxiety the next time when you are one year older.
You Don’t Want to Celebrate Your Birthday? 7 Possible Reasons
We always associate birthdays with celebrations, but that’s not always the case.
Have you heard of birthday depression or birthday blues?
A state of dissatisfaction, sadness, and apathy occurs as the birthday approaches, especially on that day.
There are different reasons why you don’t want to celebrate your birthday.
Maybe you would like to celebrate but under certain conditions. Let us explain.
1. You Don’t Care About Your Own Birthday
This is entirely legitimate on your part.
Think about it, birthdays were awesome when you were a kid.
Back then, you didn’t even have your own opinion expressed enough. It was more the opinion of your parents.
After those first kid birthdays passed, other birthdays became just milestones.
You know those birthdays like when you become an adult officially, turn 30, and such.
What about birthdays in between? Obviously, they are less important.
Your birthday is not a big deal to you. You don’t stress or think about it.
You might also be a contrarian who doesn’t like to follow everything everyone else is doing.
There is something false in all that congratulations.
People who don’t remember you all year are now wishing you a happy birthday just because a notification appeared on Facebook reminding them that your birthday is today.
2. You Have Negative Past Experiences Related to Birthdays
It is possible to develop a particular aversion to birthdays based on past experiences.
If there is a specific bad event related to your birthday, it is clear where the aversion comes from.
However, it is often the case that we have an aversion to birthdays because of our parents.
Maybe your parents didn’t celebrate your birthday because they didn’t have the possibility, so you always felt sad about why other children got presents, and you didn’t.
And maybe they are just bad parents, who didn’t give importance to your special day.
It is a typical case of children who do not like their birthday because it is on the same day as a big holiday such as Christmas or New Year.
That big holiday completely removes the magic of the birthday and creates an aversion that can follow someone for their whole life.
3. Your Birthday Reminds You That You Are Not Satisfied With Your Life
Instead of it being a day when you are happy, you are depressed and dissatisfied.
Why is it so? Because of social expectations.
In all cultures, there are certain expectations that, at a certain age, you should have or achieve certain things.
It refers to marriage, success, work, and wealth.
Some like to ask rude questions like: “You are 30 years old; how come you haven’t gotten married yet”?
You may also fall under that pressure and consider your birthdays as milestones.
Let’s say you turn 30 and then have a checklist of things you haven’t done or achieved yet.
It feels like another year has passed, and you’re still in the same place and making no progress.
Because of all this, you can think that your life is bad or even hate the whole world.
You seem to have been much happier when you were younger, when there was less pressure on you for your birthday.
4. You Want to Be Alone On Your Birthday
Everyone likes to be surrounded by people on their birthday, and you want to be alone.
A big deal is always made around birthdays.
Do you know when your friends throw you a surprise party?
Of course, you find that out before, but you can’t talk them out of that idea.
Maybe you don’t want to hang out with your friends that day, but they insist.
You even feel like you have to be happy for others because everyone is asking you to.
Then you try to be happy by force, but you also feel guilty because everyone wants to make you have a good time for your birthday, and you can’t be happy.
If you’re a victim of those birthday blues, it’s no wonder you want to be alone.
Is it so hard for everyone to understand that you want to be alone for your birthday?
Especially if you are an introvert and don’t like to be the center of attention.
Maybe you’re even in such a mood that you think you don’t deserve anything, and even that celebration.
Wanting to be alone can be related to not being happy with where you are in life right now.
You don’t want to be surrounded by people who are more fulfilled and successful than you and don’t want to hear their advice on what you should do to change your situation.
5. You Don’t Want Presents For Your Birthday
Birthdays are all about presents.
Admit it, you loved your birthday presents when you were a kid.
Now, as an adult, you feel there is no need to go overboard with gifts.
You don’t want people spending their hard-earned money on gifts for you.
Maybe you don’t even want gifts because you don’t think you deserve them.
And you also consider it an obligation because you know how it usually goes: when someone gives you a birthday present, they expect the same from you.
Maybe you’re not even burdened with material things and don’t want to fall under that general impression of mass-buying birthday gifts.
6. You Don’t Want to Celebrate Your Birthday at Work
Remember when you started working and everyone at work told you, “We are like one family here.” You are still traumatized by it.
But that can also be good for some, as it encourages teamwork.
But to you, it’s all fake and worn out.
Especially if you are a person who likes to keep your personal life separate from work.
You try, but those annoying colleagues who stalk you on social networks will find out when your birthday is and make a big deal.
An unpleasant situation can be comical, as if you were in a sitcom.
If you don’t like your job because it makes you depressed, celebrating your birthday at work is like pouring salt in the wound.
And this doesn’t just apply to work.
Celebrating your birthday with a group of people you can’t be yourself in front of is never a good idea.
7. Your Birthday Scares You
When you were a kid, you couldn’t wait for your birthdays and to be older.
Now, as an adult, your birthdays are kinda scary.
If we think about it a little more, they are scary.
They remind us of the passing of time and how we are one year closer to death.
Birthdays make us ask many existential questions to ourselves, even if everything is ok in our lives.
Questions such as: “What is my purpose in life?” and “Am I living the way I want?”
How to Beat The Birthday Blues?
To finally feel good about your birthday, try these tips:
Celebrate As You Wish
Or don’t celebrate at all. Your birthday is your choice.
If you want to play video games all day that day, do it.
Focus On What You Have Accomplished
Instead of thinking about the things you haven’t achieved, focus on what you have.
We are sure there is something good from the last birthday.
Even if you think nothing good has happened, take that negative experience as a lesson.
Don’t Burden Yourself
Adjust your expectations.
Birthdays may show us where we are in life right now, but not everyone has the same things happen at the same age.
We all go through this life at our own pace.
Treat Yourself
Plan something you love for your birthday. You deserve a little treat.
A little bit of self-love is always a good choice.
Be Surrounded by People Who Understand You
If there is someone who will understand your feelings about your birthday, spend it with them.
If not, you have yourself, and you will understand yourself best.
It’s not weird to watch a movie alone at the cinema for your birthday or eat alone at a fancy restaurant.
All Things Considered,
You have the right to celebrate your birthday or not as you wish.
We hope you will skip those pesky birthday blues on your next special day.
Now that you know why it happens and tips on avoiding it, you might even start to love your birthday.