Birthday Blues

by caroline reid in Lifestyle Choices, January 17, 2009

Forget all about the fact that you are another year older.

Everybody has them, they roll around each year and the older you get, the more you wish you could crawl under your covers and just forget what the day is. Do you suffer from birthday blues? Do you dread the day more than going to see the dentist? When you reach a certain age, birthdays can seem like Valentine’s Day when you are single- no fun, with smug people everywhere trying to rub your face in the fact that they are happy and you’re not.

But why do you feel this way? Do you worry that you are getting older- more wrinkles and… wait a minute, that grey hair wasn’t there last year! Or do you feel that life is passing you by too quickly and you have so much left that you want to do? Or is it simply because you have no one to share that special day with?

Whatever the reason for your birthday blues, I am here to tell you that you don’t need to dread your big day- you need to embrace it and celebrate if for what it symbolises- the day that you were born! Here are some top tips for making sure that no matter how old you are going to be, you make your next birthday one to remember!

10 Birthday Blues Beaters

Pamper yourself- a few days before the big day, book yourself into a spa and get some much needed and much deserved relaxation. At the end of it, you will look and feel ten years younger.
Reminisce- remember your past birthdays when you were a child? Remember what you liked about them and how excited you used to get? Get yourself in the mood to celebrate.
Treat yourself- don’t wait for someone else to get you what you really want, indulge yourself and buy that necklace or that pair of shoes you have wanted for ages. After all, it is your birthday!
Celebrate- arrange a party, do something that you want to do- don’t wait for someone else to organise something, the best part is knowing that the party really is going to be yours.
Get a makeover- if you are anxious about becoming another year older, beat it! Change your hair, get your nails done and pluck those eyebrows- years will instantly drop off!
Make a list- write a list of everything that you have achieved so far and then make another list of things that you want to do before your next birthday.
Don’t wallow- don’t drown your sorrows and feel sorry for yourself, embrace your life and who you are and enjoy it.
Catch up- talk to old friends that you haven’t spoken to in a while, catch up and share stories- rebuild bridges.
Date- if you are single, date! Arrange as many dates as you can and show all of the men out there that you are young and free and loving it!
Grow old gracefully- don’t deny your real age or book in for botox the day after your birthday. Celebrate your age and let everyone know that you are not afraid of your birthday!