Downslope To Forty
This coming week will mark my thirty-sixth birthday. Thirty-six is on the downhill slope to Forty. F-O-O-O-O-R-T-Y. Ostensibly, that’s considered middle aged. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that – but it is a milestone.)
I have never really been a big birthday person. At least not since I was little. Last year around this time, my Auntie died. The year before that, I quit my job. I can’t even remember the year before that. I think I was hiding under the covers somewhere. I generally like to avoid holidays altogether because there’s always so much pressure wrapped around days like this. I am just not into it and would take a non-celebratory dinner with a friend over any old party. I keep trying to change that particular characteristic about myself. Or at least, get better at it faking it. But honestly, I am terrible about having people make a fuss over of me. It makes me itchy.
What I actually like doing on my birthday is to take the day and spend it alone. To you, that may seem incredibly depressing and sad. But to me, it sounds decadent and heavenly. I am a single mother. I rarely have time that is unencumbered. Having an entire day to do things my way without feeling guilty about it or worrying about what other people want is a true “gift to self.” I have spent entire birthdays in bed, reading a book from cover to cover. Or going to the spa. Or catching up on sleep. The key to my enjoyment it is not feeling guilty about it and not worrying about offending other people who might have other ideas about the big day.
This year, I am incredibly cash poor so I think I will keep things simple. I am taking the day off from work and I think I’ll spend the entire day writing or doing something nerdy like design a new masthead or read a new tech book I got. I might even mosey across the street to the nursery and buy some flowers for my window box. I’ll definitely go out to breakfast – which is my favorite meal of the day.
The point is that there is no point to the day but to do things that make me happy.
I am actually feeling quite smitten about the idea.
This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 7:14 am and is filed under Daily. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
18 Responses to “Downslope To Forty”
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I love a big fuss on my birthday, but I can certainly relate to the luxury of an entire day spent alone. Doing what you want and not feeling guilty about that. It sounds like Heaven to me. With 3 little girls I rarely get more than a couple hours to myself. And I usually spend that folding laundry or napping. Breakfast is my favorite meal, too!! I would much rather go out to breaky than dinner. Enjoy your day and Happy Birthday!! btw, 40 isn’t bad at all, so don’t worry that you’re heading towards it.
.-= Happy Housewife´s last blog ..Welcome Spring =-.
Happy Birthday week! This would also be my perfect birthday. I used to do that too – take the day off, sleep in, take myself to lunch and window shop (or real shop if I had some extra $) where I wanted to, at my own pace, just whatever I wanted. I may revisit that this year – thanks for the reminder.
You go girl.
And I turn ACTUAL 40 on 4/27.
.-= Aimee Greeblemonkey´s last blog ..SXSWi Video Montage, Mom 2.0 Art Auction, and the March Greeblepix Winner, 3 awesome things making for a really really long title. =-.
Happy birthday. I actually like to spend a big portion of my day alone doing what I love to do — sleeping, workout, shopping, then napping. My husband and kids know this and then we go out to dinner together..so I can completely relate to wanting to only do things that make you happy. As parents, we spend so much of our time trying to cultivate happy and healthy kids – it’s rare we do get alone time.
have a great time!
steph h
http://www.livefitandsore.com
.-= Steph H´s last blog ..Student Travel Rates are Available to Non Students =-.
I say your plan sounds like a winner. Make sure to enjoy the quiet of a house in which only you sit. And whatever you do, it should not involve laundry, dishwashers, or food labels that include the words “low fat.”
.-= And Then I Was a Mom´s last blog ..You better believe that I’ll serve it under glass, too. =-.
A day all to yourself sounds lovely. I hope you enjoy your free time. =)
I hear ya on the birthday hate! The only thing I think about when I think BIRTHDAY is food. I want to spend it with very close friends, eating something lovely. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, it doesn’t matter.
The presents, the fussing, the ‘who’s coming to the part’ crap I hate and I too get itchy and want to stay inside with my DVR.
Congrats on your day of you. I hope you went the garden direction, there is nothing better than planting.
.-= Ashley, the Accidental Olympian´s last blog ..NO YOU AREN’T SEEING THINGS =-.
Happy Birthday, fill it with everything you love
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Good Housekeeping, Geneen Roth, Yoga, and Me … =-.
That sounds like a great day! I think part of your birthday present to yourself is to have a day like that once a month.
Happy Birthday!!
.-= Renee´s last blog ..The Food Critic: Dinner Time Battles with a Toddler =-.
Ha, I so relate. For me my birthday is a day of reflection. I just want to be on my own, doing whatever (or nothing!) and thinking about the past year and what’s coming up in my life. It’s my New Year.
Happy Birthday gorgeous! As a fellow single mother I can totally relate. Sometimes alone time is the best thing ever. Also? I’m closing in on 37 soon. Eep.
.-= Sharyn´s last blog ..The Study of Change =-.
Dude, your birthday plans sound heavenly. HEH. VEN. LEE. In fact, I may insist on it for my birthday.
Happy Birthday, love.
From your friend who has already slid that downward slope and sailed right on past 40. For what it’s worth, it’s a great ride.
.-= Karen from Chookooloonks´s last blog ..love thursday: the left-my-heart-in-san-francisco edition =-.
Just found your blog! Happy Birthday week! And I think you plan sounds perfect!
.-= michelle from 6 in the city´s last blog ..Dear Target, =-.
Girl you should go to Olympus Woman’s Spa. It is FREE on your birthday. Just the cost of the ferry ride to T-Town. I did it for mine and had a blast!!!! Plus if you come over here to the Gritty City think of your street cred.
Have a great day!
You know me from T and J’s house.
Michelle
I keep stumbling onto blogs where people are having birthdays. . and they are younger than me. Just turned 38. Cried the entire day like a total lame ass. I really had nothing to be sad about. Just anticipating that next birthday, which will be my last birthday in my thirties. Ugh. .
P
http://www.adhocmom.com
.-= adhocmom´s last blog ..Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and/or Sick Husbands =-.
Happy birthday week!! I am also a big fan of breakfast – so go out and enjoy it
.-= WarsawMommy´s last blog ..Wordy Wednesday (One Day Late) – The Scarf =-.
That sounds like a great idea. Embrace what you enjoy
I often expect too much of my birthdays and am disappointed when people forget or don’t care or I get more bills than cards.
I’ve realised the key for me is to get away on my own or with someone close, to do something I enjoy, and to not demand great happiness or excitement from the day. Low-key is OK.
.-= Diane´s last blog ..In honour of Ada Lovelace: In praise of Amanda Jones =-.
I’m with you, a birthday where everyone kisses me goodbye for the day and then leaves sounds fantastic.
.-= TempestTeapot´s last blog ..Ultrasound =-.