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Alfie Lawson (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Well, it’s the end of the year. We’re into December and it feels like everyone’s gearing up for the holidays. This is a time of celebration for many, but this also marks a period of reflection for a lot of us. I often find myself looking back over the past year and thinking, “What was significant about it?”

Ultimately, however, these thoughts get lost amongst the holiday cheer. But still, I believe that stopping to take stock of life once in a while can be beneficial.

The other time that I’m met face-to-face with this is when it comes to birthdays. These randomly allocated events are another indication of the passing of time, and are perhaps more personal than the end of a calendar year. We’ll all enter 2024 together, but the days we add a year to our ages differs from most of our friends and family.

Still, with over 17 million people celebrating their birthdays every single day, what is it that actually makes them meaningful?

What does a birthday symbolise?   

To interpret it quite literally, birthdays represent the anniversary of when we were born. These are events that none of us actually remember — we’re simply told, usually by our parents, that these are the days our ages increase by one. At its most basic, it can seem rather meaningless. Just a formality.

And yet, to some extent, we do tend to care about our birthdays. As they only come around once a year, they serve as a break from the norm. They provide a reason for us to celebrate and gather with loved ones, as well as to receive cards, presents and well wishes. For these reasons, birthdays are a symbolic opportunity for others to appreciate you for being in their lives, and a chance for you to show gratitude in return.

Why show appreciation?

No matter who you are, your birthday is an important date that others will want to mark. 

The reasons for this are pretty simple. Namely, people want to show each other love and understanding. Since birthdays are a universal thing that we all have, they are a chance to make others happy and boost self-confidence. When it’s our turn, we hope that people do the same for us, as birthdays are a way to mark milestones, create memories and celebrate together. Considering how isolated our day-to-day lives can feel sometimes, showing appreciation for people in this way can be significant.

Why should it be special to you?   

I have absolutely no recollection of my birth. In fact, I have almost no memory of the four or five years after my birth. But, for as long as I can remember, I have always known my birthday, and understood that it is something noteworthy. 

Of course, this is in large part down to our connections with others. Nevertheless, there is something on a personal level too. For me, appreciating my birthday is also rooted in a form of nostalgia. 

My memories from childhood are hazy, but I remember my birthdays in some form. As I’ve gotten older, significant life moments have coincided with them. Going from child to teenager, learning to drive, being able to buy alcohol and becoming a full-fledged adult are all determined by your day of birth. This engrains a unique value to it, a reason to remember the good times and attempt to create more.

What our birthdays teach us

Getting another year older can be daunting. Setting life goals to coincide with us turning a certain age, like marrying before we’re 40, is rather common. Anxiety about “maturing” as we age can also instill a negative mindset. Even comparing birthday parties to those of your peers makes it all more stressful and complicated than it needs to be.

Thus, it’s vital not to overlook what else your birthday can represent. Celebrating, however you choose to do so, can be rewarding for you and the people in your life. Additionally, it’s an opportunity for self-care. Treat yourself to something you’d like, for instance, or simply use the time to reflect on the year and make it personal to you. 

Above all, your birthday is about what makes you, you. So, do something positive with it, whether that’s big or small, and see what the result is.

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