Birthday anxiety

[atlantis]

Hi everyone,

 

My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm already getting anxious about it. My fear is that I will be alone on my birthday, but typical birthday socialising comes with so much expectation that it usually ends in disappointment, which won't be great either!

 

I'd really like to go out for the day with my boyfriend, but before he knew the date of my birthday he already made plans to travel to see his friend on that day because it's also her birthday and she's having a party. He's promised to do something with me the following day, which I understand is perfectly reasonable and fair. I'm not mad/upset/annoyed or anything with him- he's done nothing wrong- I'm just worried that it will leave me alone and very depressed on my birthday.

 

I do have one good friend I could see, but she works during the day and she lives out of town, so if I spent the evening with her she'd have to stay at my place, which I'd really struggle with.

 

I could visit my parents so I don't have to be alone, but I did that the last couple of years and it just felt a bit... tragic.

 

I wish I didn't have a birthday, it would be so much easier! I could pretend I don't, but I'd know really, and it makes me sad that most people can have so much fun on their birthdays when I have to pretend it's not happening.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions how I could make it easier? Anyone have similar problems?

[JeanneA]

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about how you feel regarding your birthday. The only thing I can think of to say is, why not treat yourself to something you really want and also treat yourself to your favourite take-away and stay on your own. As you did say that visiting your parents hasn't really worked out in the past and seeing your friend wouldn't be until the evening. So I think you may be better to treat yourself and look forward to spending the next with your boyfriend. Hope that helps (( ))