Five Things To Do On Your Birthday
Each year, I take off of work for my birthday and truly celebrate me without worrying about deadlines or appointments. As I begin a new year,I wanted to share five things to do on your birthday.
Time for Reflection / Time Alone
I spend each birthday morning writing in my journal. I have found these entries become part reflection of the past year and part goal setting for the year ahead. Your birthday is a perfect time to stop and reflect upon your life. It may be that you need to spend some time expressing gratitude for what you have or that you write a letter to your body. Even if you choose to not write in a journal, it is important to take a few minutes of silence to slow down and acknowledge where you are at.
Schedule a Form of Self Care
I’ve discussed the importance of scheduling self care in your life and your birthday is the perfect time to schedule something special. Schedule a day at the spa, a hair appointment or a manicure. This week I happened to have a hair appointment to change my hair color and did my nails. As much as I would have loved to have a massage, that will have to happen later.
Exercise / Stretch / Move
With my history of working for palliative care and hospice, I am regularly thanking my body for what it is able to do. Although birthdays are the perfect excuse to eat and drink, it is also a great time to start a new workout routine. I’ve discussed the importance of stretching in the morning and feel it is important to recognize what the body is capable of doing.
Schedule Appointments with Your Doctor, Dentist or Therapist
Although you don’t need to schedule the appointments for your actual birthday, it is important to review your physical and emotional needs. Is it time for a physical or mammogram? Do your teeth need to be cleaned? Are there issues you are struggling with and appointments you have been putting off? At birth, we were each given physicals and a birthday is a perfect time to review your current health needs.
Spend Time with Those That You Love
Even if you choose to work on your birthday, there is still time to plan dinner with your family or friends.This year one of my dearest friends took me to lunch and James and I always have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Surround yourself with those that you love. I also wanted to add:
Do Something for Someone Else
As much as I make it a point that my birthday is my day, I also realize how important it is to share my blessings This can range from buying coffee for someone at Starbucks (which is something James and I both do) to donating needed items or volunteering a few hours. I believe that by practicing these five things to do on your birthday is an excellent way to begin a self care routine and practice. Don’t be ashamed to celebrate yourself and embrace your day!
What are things that you do on your birthday?
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!! You’re right, July is a great month 🙂 My birthday is in February as well as my husbands (we are 5 days apart), my mother in law, my father in law, and two of my best friends all have birthdays a few days apart at the end of February. We do one big get together. I always love celebrating others birthday and doing things for them. I love your idea of doing some just for your…pampering or getting things done. I hope you have a great weekend!!
Thank you Alexis – it’s been so nice to not have to worry about the “normal” to do list. How fun to have such a big celebration party for everyone in your life.
You’ve inspired me, I’m totally asking for a spa day for my birthday! Hope your birthday was awesome, like you!
Thanks Christine. Yes – you deserve a spa day!!!
Great post Sheryl! I totally agree that you should celebrate your birthday. I don’t get it when people don’t want to celebrate their birthday. There’s only one day in the whole year that you are allowed to celebrate yourself.
Hope you had a wonderful day. You deserve it. Happy Birthday!
Thank You Diana. I always try to celebrate my friend’s birthdays (even when they don’t want to), our birthday is our day and marks the time when our energy came into the world and the fact that we are still here is so significant. Thank you again!!
I hope you had the best day friend! These are all great ideas! I’m a Taurus but believe in celebrating my birthday the entire month of May. I mean why not?
Oh girl, everyone should celebrate their birthday month!! I’m all for it.
Birthday self care! I love it. I hope you had a fab birthday. Really!
Thanks Nina, It’s been great!
Great ideas! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope it’s been a fun time celebrating!!! A good mix of relaxing + fun!
Thanks Caroline – it’s been busy but a wonderful type of busy! Happy Weekend to you.
Happy birthday! It was my birthday on Thursday too. All these ideas are so nice and so positive, brilliant post. I don’t half love your blog :} xx
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Happy Happy Birthday you beautiful Leo!!!! So glad you stopped by and connected.
Definitely a more meaningful way to spend your birthday. I like these suggestions. I’ve also heard to use your birthday as time when you schedule yearly appointments…that way you’ll never forget when your last one was. But I do have one question…where’s the cake?! Where’s the “splurge on something naughty” on your birthday? Whether it be a delicious treat or a gift for yourself….birthdays are the best excuses for splurging…just a little. And dancing…and loud music…and friends…and maybe some candles and the birthday song…okay geez, might as well turn all of that into a party! 😉 Happy Birthday to you! -Misty
Oh Misty, I have a whole weekend of celebrating – that goes along with spending time with those that are important! I make the best of my birthday month and never let others forget it! Check out my birthday dinner on instagram from last night and there will be more throughout the weekend! Thanks for stopping by.
Awesome tips, as always, Sheryl! 🙂 Only 8 mos until my bday again… gotta bookmark this, hehe! 🙂
I’m going to remind you of this post when your birthday comes around!!! 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday! I LOVE these ideas – not the traditional “get a mani” or “have a glass of wine”. Great suggestions and I truly intend to do these next year (just have to remember to check Pinterest, pinned this!)
Thanks Meagan – I should add that I did get a mani/pedi on my birthday – so I guess I’m combining the traditional ideas into some new ones! So glad you pinned this!
I’m definitely one to think that birthdays are important, to you and those around you. When I had time to take off, I would always take my birthday off of work and get a haircut and do whatever I wanted during the day then go out to dinner with family/friends. Now that I have kids and my time off gets spend on them mostly, I usually wind up working but going to dinner that evening and then getting my hair cut on the weekend.
Ok Holly, what’s important is that you are doing something for yourself on your birthday!!! My goal would be for you to take the kids to school one day and you use that time for yourself – even if it’s only a few hours!