Celebrating You: Turning Birthdays into Acts of Self-Love

When was the last time you celebrated yourself?
As cliché as it may sound, this is something we seldom do.
So, this birthday, I decided to celebrate myself and put the spotlight on myself.

I love birthdays. It is one day in the entire year that is dedicated to you, and by all means, we have to enjoy it.

The prelude to my birthday started with a Swedish massage and a Korean facial booked on Urban Company in the comfort of my home (no, this is not a sponsored ad).

Our building complex has a fabulous salon, and I went down for a luxurious foot spa.

I ordered my favourite cake, “Chocolate-Coffee-Walnut” wholewheat cake, drew a card for myself, and even got myself a gift—well, two—a pair of ceramic owls. The message on the cake read “Happy Birthday to Me”. As I realised, it is time to celebrate “Tanya”, as the spirited girl, a nurturer, and one of the most caring persons I know, who sees the world with a childlike wonder. I don’t want to lose that with age. This keeps me going.

My birthday card was full of love and endearment for myself. I wanted to tell myself that I am loved and cherished. I called myself “the ladybug in the garden,” “the line to my dot,” and “the reason I’m so grateful today!” I couldn’t believe how loved and cherished I am to be me.

I wanted to take the focus off others and focus on myself. There’ll never be a perfect time for everyone to celebrate your birthday in a single room, so why wait.

Cherry on the cake (well, literally), the home baker who is now a wonderful friend, sent this cake as a gift. I was so touched and humbled.

I wanted to order flowers for myself but when I saw the prices for a bouquet, I parked it aside – that’s when I thought to myself, why do we usually (or constantly) undermine our self-worth and value?

Today, I decided not to do laundry as I wanted to give myself a break from the household chores (now, during my sabbatical, I realise how valuable these are – to do one’s own things).

Next time it is your birthday, send yourself a cake and a long-coveted gift and cherish yourself. After all, it is only you who stuck it out with yourself through thick and thin and highs and lows.

Give yourself some credit and celebrate being you on your birthday!