Hi Fashionista!. Today, it’s a special day for me, I am celebrating my birthday. That’s why I am sharing strategies every birthday person should know to avoid anxiety and stress.

A few years ago, I noticed I belong to those who wish to skip their birthday and wake up the next day. At first, I started to question the reason for my anxiety. It happens always around my birthday. I feel blue, I feel not me and I get emotional if my family and friends forget to wish me a happy birthday. Besides, I get uncomfortable to be center of attention. Also, social media made it even harder by giving weight on social expectations and I questioned the “should”. I should expect to be happy and show my happiness on SM and I should expect people to wish me a happy birthday. But then, It hits me I need to cope up with these feelings. I need to control my anxiety.  

strategies every birthday person should know to avoid anxiety

There are simple strategies I implemented this year that controlled my anxiety before and during my birthday. These strategies helped navigate birthday stress:

Tip 1) Write down your expectation.

You might think that writing down your expectation will give you more anxiety. On the contrary by writing down your thoughts, expectations, and concerns, you will view your birthday as any regular event in life. You will also avoid concerns by addressing them. last year, I knew my sister would forget my birthday well because she always remembers it next day or so. Thus, I called her on my birthday. Here what I told her ” hey sis, I knew you would forget my birthday. I am calling you to wish me a happy birthday”.  She laughed and she not only told me happy birthday but also sang to me with her kids happy birthday, I thought it is so cute. Viola, I solved my issue.

Tip 2) Spend it with people who care about you.

Though you might not like to be the center of attention, try to surround yourself with people you love. You will feel comfortable and relaxed. Also, It will help you avoid FOMO- fearing of missing out combined with an overwhelming urge to know what is happening on social media.

Tip 3) Set realistic expectations and appreciate the people who are thinking of you.

Last week, I told my husband what I am expecting for my birthday. First, I want to enjoy my favorite cake with him. On Saturday, we will participate in a 10 k run event. The same day, we will celebrate my birthday by going out for dinner and attend a Latin party with our friends. If you do not know by now. I love Latin dance while I am not an expert. I enjoy dancing. Next, I gave my husband list of gifts, he can either choose to buy them all at one or throughout the month. Again, I am realistic and straightforward. 😀  Finally and most importantly, appreciate everyone who took time to wish me a happy birthday even if they are few. For me, They give me two seconds to minute from their precious time to wish me on my day a happy birthday.

I guarantee you if you start taking actions and get this strategy in your mind. Your anxiety will disappear and it will be filled with joy and gratitude for all people around you who remember you or you take actions to remind them of your day.

Have a wonderful day!

Note:   I wore this same dress in one my previous blog post in here.