Low birthday expectations.
I just turned 35. And my birthday was… uneventful.
And I think I’m okay with that.
I remember being in my 20s, waiting for people to write birthday wishes on my Facebook wall. I would constantly refresh my feed, waiting and waiting for the new birthday wishes. It was like my self-esteem counted on it. I also remember feeling the need to host a party, or just have a big outing. It was fun yes, but stressful.
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This year was way different. Way different. Some of my close friends didn’t even wish me a happy birthday. But to be honest, I understand. I understand because to them it’s just another day. And usually my birthday lands on the Easter long weekend. I’ve also been the person to almost forget, or just plain forget. It is easy to when life gets in the way. And unless I have a calendar reminder for my friend’s birthdays, it’s unrealistic to remember everyone’s.
As much as I would have loved to get a birthday wish, and it does bum me out a little, it’s not something that I’ll dwell on.
This year’s birthday I definitely held lower expectations. It felt like another day. I know that there will be a time in the future that my birthday may seem more significant, like when I turn 40, or 50. But I just don’t want to be the person who expects too much of their friends, especially now since many of them have small children and it’s hard to get together for something big. And there will be a time when some of those friends will come out, but not all. Birthdays ebb and flow, some are big, some are small. I’ve just learned that high expectations and expecting everyone to leave you a wish on social media doesn’t do me justice.
RM
