Why I’m actually looking forward to my birthday this month

A social celebration is the light in the darkness I need right now

It’s been seven months since lockdown started and unfortunately, many of us have had to celebrate our birthday in quarantine.

And while those who had spring and summer birthdays had a hard go of it with restaurants and shops closed, us lucky ones with autumn and winter birthdays have slightly more celebration options.

A cloud of uncertainty 

The doom and gloom of these past months have really gotten to me lately. It feels as if the whole world has been holding their breath, waiting for something to happen — whether it’s another lockdown, pubs to open or an update on international travel allowance.

While we have strangely adapted to our new limbo life, the daily case number announcements and long days spent cooped up at home, what has gotten to me the most has been the constant state of uncertainty.

I don’t know when I’ll be able to see my family abroad; I don’t know if my job will survive the pandemic; I don’t know when I can blow off steam on a night out in town again.

So when I realised my birthday was around the corner, I surprisingly found myself excited to celebrate it. 

This was a specific date where I could guarantee an evening away from the apartment with my boyfriend and a few close friends. 

Something to look forward to

So, I decided to really revel in the celebrations by spreading things out: coffee in the park with a few friends, a Facetime lunch date with family and dinner at my favourite restaurant with my boyfriend.

Planning my birthday events, as small as they are, almost felt like a vacation compared to the usual humdrum, at home routine. 

I’m also really looking forward to getting a few gifts. Since lockdown started, I’ve only purchased necessary items for the house: upgraded wifi for WFH, a work desk, loads of groceries, etc.

So, to have a few surprise gifts would be absolutely amazing. 

Quality time

I live with my partner and since we’re home all the time together, it is so easy for us to spend hours on our phones or laptops without uttering a word to each other.

And while it’s great to always have someone to binge-watch Netflix with, it is easy to lose touch.

I know that when we go out for dinner on my birthday, we can enjoy a meal with great conversation technology-free.

We can also distract ourselves for an entire evening, forgetting our Covid worries and focusing on enjoying time with each other one-on-one.

So, I’m looking forward to a day of escapism from this uncertain and isolating time, and I plan to milk it for all it’s worth, cherishing my time with those closest to me and reminding myself that a little bit of light goes a long way in a dark time.

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