Being

Jan 24

January is one of my favourite months. For a variety of reasons: a new year, a new beginning, post-Christmas but mostly because it is my birthday month. I always appreciate new beginnings, they seem to motivate me for whatever reason. A new book, journal, or start to the day.

I consider birthdays to be very special days. It is the one day of the year that is all about you. When I wake up on my birthday I am filled with much excitement for the day ahead. I have loved and celebrated my birthday for as long as I can remember —my suspicion is that this has been the case since the day I was born. Throughout my life, I have taken my birthday off to spend it doing things that I enjoy. I celebrate the year past and the year ahead.

There are some standard things I enjoy, traditions I guess you could label them. Typically, I buy myself a new pair of shoes and for many years this has been a new pair of Fluevogs. Lately, just new shoes. It is also the month I schedule all my appointments: massage, physician, dentist, hair, facial, and reflexology. My favourite thing about my birthday, birthday week, and birthday month is connecting with family and friends. I love receiving texts, phone calls, and seeing them all in person. However, my favourite gesture is a birthday card sent via the post with an envelope and stamp.

This year was no different — I celebrated it to the fullest. An awesome music playlist, my favourite breakfast fried eggs, avocado toast, grapefruit, tomatoes and artisan bacon, a Marilyn Monroe film, a trip to a museum, crab cakes, and pinot noir. Most importantly angel food cake with whip cream and raspberries shared with family and friends. This year, my brother introduced me to the concept of Birthday Boxing Day like Christmas and Boxing Day you get a 2 day birthday – I suspect that it will be a tradition for years to come.

How do you spend your birthday? What is your favourite day of the year? Do you celebrate yourself? If yes – how? If not – why?