Listen Live
Majic 102.3/92.7 Featured Video
CLOSE

VIA EHOW:

Year after year, many of us cringe at the calendar when we see our birthday approach. We shudder at the plans our family is making for us, we wonder what kind of inappropriate gift our spouse is getting us this year, we try to guess how many cards we’ll get purportedly from our dog.Remember the birthdays of your youth and how excited you were? It’s not so hard to have that again.Regain control of your birthday by planning ahead for a day that you’ll truly enjoy, your way.

What makes you happy?

The hardest part might be having to mentally release everyone else’s expectations of what constitutes a good birthday. Not everyone likes cake, wants presents, or wants to hear that little song. Not everyone likes a big hairy deal made out of their birthday. And not everyone likes expensive dinners out, or a full days worth of over-planned activities. Or maybe you love all of those things but no one thinks so or plans so, leaving you a little disappointed every time your birthday rolls around. Cull it all down, imagine your ideal day, birthday or otherwise, and use that as a visual cue for planning your day.

Manage expectations!

If your perfect day involves beer, being alone, a favorite movie or snack, then be unapologetic in making that known. The key here is to be unapologetic. It’s your birthday, after all. Take back control by letting the normal “planner” know that this year you’ll be in charge and will let them know what you’d like. This might mean you can give broad directions, like a simple “dinner with friends and family would be nice”, or “I have decided that this year I don’t want to celebrate”. No reasons need be given. It’s your day, the one day a year where you are meant to be the unchallenged ruler of your little world.

Go a bit wild.

There are limits of course when speaking in terms of going wild, but consider planning something out of your character but within the very outer limits of your comfort level. Plan something you’ve always longed to do. A spontaneous vacation maybe, or playing hooky from work (although Human Resources is most likely going to figure this one out!) Consider a day trip, being a tourist in your own hometown, or a double-feature matinee. If you’re a parent, maybe your ideal day is spent with your kids, watching them enjoy themselves. Going wild doesn’t have to be expensive or luxurious, just fun. A birthday can be a great opportunity. For what, is up to you.

Let them eat cake. Or imported beer. Or Manolo Blahniks.

The rare birthday is complete without a treat. Our stomachs have cravings too and while yours might very well be double chocolate fudge triple-layer cake with strawberry frosting, it might rather be Thai donuts, or a whole bag of Pinwheels, or a bottomless cup of Gelatto. Maybe you lack a sweet tooth, and a huge boat of sushi is your treat of choice. Treats are best defined as something special, so they are not necessarily edible. Your birthday may be a great day to finally break down and get yourself that set of ski’s, a relaxing massage, or simply to shop off of somewhere other than the sales rack for just one day.

Whatever you do, treat yourself. Well.

Source