Loved this reflection on birthdays. My little ritual with myself is to go to a coffee shop, order something special, and journal about the past year and what I learned. My friend and I text each other prompts and it creates an opportunity to share that with someone else too.
When I turned 33, I ran 33 miles (I was training for my first ultra marathon) and at each mile I connected with who I was at that age and it felt like a process of integrating my whole life story. That was really special and I cried during the last few miles. I don’t think I can repeat this every year (hah) but I like the idea of integrating the past year into the whole of myself.
I love the idea of sharing reflection prompts with a friend—it adds such a meaningful layer of connection. And running 33 miles at 33 is such a huge accomplishment!!
I’ve also had similar struggles with my birthday. But this past year on my 32nd birthday I decided to write a letter to myself of all the things that have occurred in the last year and all the things I’m looking forward to the next year. I think it’s a nice way to celebrate what’s happened and what’s coming and really enjoy the journey so far.
Love that! I do something similar using a product called Future Me. Every year on my birthday, I write a letter to my future self a year from now, and I often recount all the great things that have happened.
I sometimes struggle on my birthday, for one of the reasons you mentioned - I'm not where I thought I'd be by this point. But more and more, I'm just grateful to still be around.
Loved this reflection on birthdays. My little ritual with myself is to go to a coffee shop, order something special, and journal about the past year and what I learned. My friend and I text each other prompts and it creates an opportunity to share that with someone else too.
When I turned 33, I ran 33 miles (I was training for my first ultra marathon) and at each mile I connected with who I was at that age and it felt like a process of integrating my whole life story. That was really special and I cried during the last few miles. I don’t think I can repeat this every year (hah) but I like the idea of integrating the past year into the whole of myself.
I love the idea of sharing reflection prompts with a friend—it adds such a meaningful layer of connection. And running 33 miles at 33 is such a huge accomplishment!!
I’ve also had similar struggles with my birthday. But this past year on my 32nd birthday I decided to write a letter to myself of all the things that have occurred in the last year and all the things I’m looking forward to the next year. I think it’s a nice way to celebrate what’s happened and what’s coming and really enjoy the journey so far.
Love that! I do something similar using a product called Future Me. Every year on my birthday, I write a letter to my future self a year from now, and I often recount all the great things that have happened.
This is thoughtful and sensitive writing about birthdays. Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Catherine :)
I sometimes struggle on my birthday, for one of the reasons you mentioned - I'm not where I thought I'd be by this point. But more and more, I'm just grateful to still be around.
That perspective is a gift in itself ✨