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What To Do When Your Birthday Isn't So 'Happy'

As we get farther and farther from perfect childhood birthday parties and presents, we get farther from magical birthdays.

Katherine Pasutto

Sep 18, 2018

University of Connecticut

What To Do When Your Birthday Isn't So 'Happy'

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My 20th birthday is September 18th. Many people assume that it's a day I look forward to. In reality, I know I'm going to get super depressed. It's not that I don't have a loving family to go out to dinner with, a great cake, or a wonderful present. It's not even that I need anything like that anyway. It's that my birthday doesn't just feel the same way it did when I was a kid.

I remember waking up on my birthday and feeling like a new person. As if being a year older completely transformed me into an ultimate being. I would go to school and feel like I was completely special. My teacher would give me a special privilege for the day. I had a whole group of friends that were there by my side. I didn't have to worry about having people to make plans for the weekend to celebrate. I would get something from my parents that I was one hundred million percent excited to get. My friends at my birthday party would give me Barbies, dolls or craft sets to play with. I couldn't ask for anything else.

Now when I wake up on my birthday I miss these experiences. It was so wonderful, so perfect.

I wish I could feel that same magic.

I told my therapist how I felt and she replied: "why don't you make your own magic?"

I could go on a day trip. I could go skydiving. Something that is different or exciting is what I could do. Anything that feels magical to me. It doesn't have to be the same for it to be great, it can be different and I can make it exactly what I want. It doesn't even have to be on my birthday, which happens to be the day I have classes from 11-7:40. It can be on the weekend, in honor of my birthday.

To anyone that feels their birthday is just another day and lackluster in excitement, go make your own magic. You're not the only one that feels that way and I promise it will make the day much better.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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What To Do When Your Birthday Isn't So 'Happy'

As we get farther and farther from perfect childhood birthday parties and presents, we get farther from magical birthdays.

I wish I could feel that same magic.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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