Sort of?
Less attached to the actual specific date, at this point.
But when it comes, then some day close to it when it's convenient I try and do a self-care day.
It really varies, what form that takes.
Some years, it's hiring help for the long-undone projects, to clear off old to-do list items.
Some years, it's going to a favorite park I've not visited in ages, just letting myself have a day away from people.
Some years, it's going to a hot spring.
Some years, it's cleaning out the fridge and freezer and pantry, and restocking with only healthy foods.
Some years, it's remembering I haven't seen a dentist or a doctor in ages, and making those wellness care appointments.

It really depends.

But I do try and do something for myself, on a day close to the birthday.

That counts, right?

Birthdays are very bitter for me and I recluse for a week or more. I cannot stand the tradition where people think they can just hit you "bEcAuSe iT's YoUr bIrThDaY" and various other assault and public humiliation rituals without any consideration for your history with domestic violence, nonconsensual contact, and psychological abuse. Even if you try to explain it, they just dismiss you with "oh, you're just being vain about your age" anyway. I've learned it's best just to keep it as hidden and private as possible.

The hubster loves celebrating birthdays, but he's had to settle for us just lavishing him on his birthday instead, because any attention brought to mine puts me in a bad place.

I usually try to do something for myself. One year it can be me and the family go out to eat at a restaurant (nothing fancy, something like Denny's or whatever), other years it could be me and my best friends going to see a new movie in theaters if there's anything good actually playing. For cake, either I buy it or just get a box cake and bake it myself.

usually just a "fancier" dinner lol. that's about it. there's no "take a day off" for me, if i have work, i work. xD its just another day.

AsheSkyler wrote: ↑Apr 10th, '25, 04:10 Birthdays are very bitter for me and I recluse for a week or more. I cannot stand the tradition where people think they can just hit you "bEcAuSe iT's YoUr bIrThDaY" and various other assault and public humiliation rituals without any consideration for your history with domestic violence, nonconsensual contact, and psychological abuse. Even if you try to explain it, they just dismiss you with "oh, you're just being vain about your age" anyway. I've learned it's best just to keep it as hidden and private as possible.

The hubster loves celebrating birthdays, but he's had to settle for us just lavishing him on his birthday instead, because any attention brought to mine puts me in a bad place.

I'm not familiar with those "traditions" and I have to say it sounds awful!!
Hope you can find a more congenial, private, way to celebrate so you can start gathering some good memories instead!

Since my birthday falls around a holiday, I take that week off from work. At least it's only 20 hours and not 40 like some people use like my lead but he's got that mind of time
And...that's about it. Family stops celebrating after 18 barring special reasons, like for me 19 was celebrated cuz i was one month cancer-free
At most all I've done is have a small cake

Growing up i didn't do big celebrations either lol. Only family, no friends mostly cuz i didn't have any cuz i kept to myself so much lol, and that nice and short. Which was still more than I liked but eh, I'm 30 now. I get the say in it lol

I rarely do things I feel like. If I was to do anything, I'd have to pay for everything and I'm just like...idc enough to do so, unless it's like me and one friend going to eat lol