I give you permission to take the day off.
Sorry, not today, your birthday. I believe everyone should take the day off for their birthday. It’s the perfect time to celebrate you. In fact, I think companies should give every employee their birthday as a holiday.
I know many people want to forget the day, but couldn’t we all use a day to celebrate ourselves?
It doesn’t matter your age. We celebrate children’s birthdays, but why not into adulthood? You remember that feeling as a kid when everyone was there at a party for YOU! It felt great, maybe gave you confidence, and it was your day to be the center of attention. What adult couldn’t use one day of that each year? Go ahead, celebrate YOU!
Every year my office knew to block out November 17th, my birthday. It wasn’t always the best time for me to be gone, but it was non-negotiable.
In my world BIRTHDAY=FUN DAY.
The same goes for my partner too. Most years, I surprise her with a different trip on her birthday. Each year we are making memories on our birthdays. Those memories will stay with us, and I can guarantee I wouldn’t remember what I did at work on those days.
Make the Day Memorable
To make the day memorable, plan something out of the ordinary.
Fittingly my birthday falls on National Take a Hike Day. My favorite thing to do on my birthday is to get outside, typically for a long hike, but really it’s about the entire day doing what I want to do.
This year I was on crutches due to a broken leg. Yep, I still took a hike. I had some curious looks while hiking on crutches and some great comments along the way.
Then it was off for a kayaking wine tour. Just what it sounds like, kayak to wineries to do wine tasting. Highly recommended, by the way! I met some new friends and spent the afternoon celebrating my birthday wine tasting.
It wasn’t my typical active birthday, but I sure made memories.
Need some ideas to celebrate you?
- Do something that makes you happy or feel like a kid.
- Open the wine bottle you have been saving.
- Do something completely different. Try something new.
- Is there someplace you want to go or something you want to do that maybe isn’t the first choice for those around you? Who cares?! It’s about you today.
- Think of the people that bring joy to your life and include them in your day too. That might even be taking a trip to see someone you don’t get to see often.
- Have you been meaning to volunteer and typically don’t have or make the time? What a great day to take the day off and do it. You could make it your annual volunteer day. That one day, you help out can make an IMPACT for so many organizations.
- How about something special that you might not typically spend the money to do? It’s one day a year, go ahead and DO IT!
Full disclosure, for me, it’s usually a birthday week, and I’ve been known to have birthday months too!
Don’t forget to share with the others you come in contact on your special day that it’s your birthday. Strangers love to tell others happy birthday. And of course, there may be free drinks or desserts involved in sharing this critical information!
If your employer isn’t on board with my Birthday Holiday suggestion just yet and you can’t take the day off, start your day early, go with your spouse or meet a friend for coffee, breakfast, or a walk together.
Or maybe invite friends to dinner at your house to celebrate you. It doesn’t have to be about the party or gifts; it is about the celebration of you with those that are important to you.
If they insist on bringing something, make it simple and meaningful. Have your guest bring their favorite childhood recipe. A dinner party of only kids’ food?!
Fun, simple, and think about the memories made at the table and stories you may not have previously shared.
It’s a Great Time to Reflect
I also suggest you make time to reflect. So many of us use the start of the New Year as a time to reflect, set new goals, and make changes in our life. Well, guess what? Your birthday is your new year! Take the time to be grateful for the past year. Think about what you loved most about the year, and consider how to add more of it to your life in the coming year.
Celebrate others too!
I know many enjoy Facebook Birthday messages and how quick and easy it is to say happy birthday to all your Facebook “friends.”
If you want to tell someone happy birthday on social media, take a minute to type more than two words, make it personal.
Or better yet, private message, text, or call them. Share a memory you have of them from the past year or simply let them know how they INSPIRE you. It’s their special day, make them feel special!
I CHALLENGE you to make your next birthday just for you. Feel like a kid again. Play, see friends, and be sure to eat the damn cake!
One more thing. I always insist on blowing out a candle. You may not believe that wish will come true, but realizing what comes to mind at the moment helps sort through the clutter to know what’s really IMPACTful in your life.
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