Celebrating YOURSELF!!
I celebrated my birthday this past week! My past experiences with birthdays have not always been pleasant. There have been birthdays where disappointment has shown up in full force or where mismatched expectations have occurred. I found that I started to dread my birthday and started to anticipate being let down. I could recognize that I was in a downward pattern with my birthday and noticed that it was time to make adjustments and changes. The most significant change was that I switched from focusing on how others celebrate me to how I celebrate myself. When I made this switch, everything additional (such as birthday wishes, gifts, and kind gestures from others) became a bonus action that I could fully appreciate without transforming into a measurement of self-worth. Here are some things that I have been incorporating to celebrate myself:
Acknowledging yourself- I use my birthday to reflect upon my achievements in this year of life. For me, it is easier to do this exercise on my birthday than during the start of the new year. Acknowledging our achievements is more crucial than most of us recognize. When we pause to acknowledge our actions, we positively reinforce our self-worth while boosting our confidence. This reflection allows us to continue the momentum for growth and can make it easier to tackle future challenges. When we can recognize our achievements and celebrate our progress, we can shift into a more positive mindset and outlook for the upcoming year. Remember, when acknowledging achievements, to include not only the significant accomplishments but also the small ones!
Treating yourself- In the wise words of Tom and Donna from Parks and Recreation, "Treat yo' self." It is essential that we extend ourselves the same amount of kindness that we would toward others. When we treat ourselves with compassion, we are positively reinforcing self-care. On my birthday, this looked like planning activities that bring me joy and intentionally softening my inner critic. Not only do I practice this on my birthday, but I also attempt to work this into my daily/weekly routine. Treating myself may look like a variety of things depending on the day. Some examples include self-care activities, time for myself, creativity options, time in nature, movement, small luxuries, or indulgent treats.
Valuing yourself- How we interact with ourselves shapes how others will interact with us. When we take time to value ourselves, we positively reinforce self-respect. We can do this by setting and upholding boundaries with ourselves and others. Another way that we can do this is by pursuing personal growth. On my birthday, I took time to reflect on what I want out of this upcoming year of life and how I can set myself up to achieve those things. Another way we can value ourselves is by intentionally surrounding ourselves with others who respect and uplift us.
I have been a part of every single one of my birthdays, while others, locations, and events have shifted and changed each year. This is why I encourage you to celebrate yourself; you can predictably be there for yourself year after year despite what life changes may bring. How will you celebrate yourself this week?
Meet the Author:
Lauren Horlick
Licensed Professional Counselor
Wellness & Courage’s Public Relations Manager