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for myself, TRYING to have fun basically prevents it from happening because then i have these expectations that i’m constantly comparing my current experience to and it takes me out the present. i think you gotta appreciate the good moments when they arise and at the same time, accept that the whole day isn’t going to be one huge euphoric experience
when it comes to solo activities, i would recommend just doing the things you enjoy doing on a day to day basis but spice them up a little- i.e. try a different cafe, take a new route, hang out at a park you haven’t been to before, etc. This helps make the day more memorable and can offer something fun and unexpected
finally i think spontaneity is key! follow whatever you’re feeling in the moment, whether it’s getting yourself a little treat from the corner store, calling a friend, going to see a movie, making a quick playlist that perfectly fits how you’re feeling, etc.
when it comes to solo activities, i would recommend just doing the things you enjoy doing on a day to day basis but spice them up a little- i.e. try a different cafe, take a new route, hang out at a park you haven’t been to before, etc. This helps make the day more memorable and can offer something fun and unexpected
finally i think spontaneity is key! follow whatever you’re feeling in the moment, whether it’s getting yourself a little treat from the corner store, calling a friend, going to see a movie, making a quick playlist that perfectly fits how you’re feeling, etc.
Jun 2, 2024
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🪱hey!
I spent numerous of my birthdays alone, so here's what worked for me
1. make a playlist of your favourite songs. literally every song you ever liked from when you were 10 to now. 2. go to your favourite place, but if you don't have one then just go to a park or a museum. I love people watching while listening to music. 3. book a spa day. that one I haven't tried but sounds fun. spa is better in solitude anyway. 4. eat your favourite food. honestly a game changer lol food is the most amazing thing we as species have created. 5. do something you enjoyed as a kid. painting, blowing bubbles, making sand castles. it makes you feel so good, like you're reconnecting with something that's been asleep deep inside you. 6. if you're not scared to talk to strangers then talk with someone you don't know. at a pub or in a line. could be fun.
happy early birthday!
1. make a playlist of your favourite songs. literally every song you ever liked from when you were 10 to now. 2. go to your favourite place, but if you don't have one then just go to a park or a museum. I love people watching while listening to music. 3. book a spa day. that one I haven't tried but sounds fun. spa is better in solitude anyway. 4. eat your favourite food. honestly a game changer lol food is the most amazing thing we as species have created. 5. do something you enjoyed as a kid. painting, blowing bubbles, making sand castles. it makes you feel so good, like you're reconnecting with something that's been asleep deep inside you. 6. if you're not scared to talk to strangers then talk with someone you don't know. at a pub or in a line. could be fun.
happy early birthday!
May 17, 2024
Rec
🌄my birthday often falls the week of thanksgiving, so i usually just take the day off as a "extending the long weekend" if i don't already get it off. since i moved to the west coast ~3 years ago and most of my friends and family are back in new york, every year on my birthday in the morning i make sure to:
1. respond to every single birthday text i got, and if possible hop on a quick call with as many people as i can. basically just a gratitude practice of "hey as i've gotten older i've not only developed meaningful relationships, i've also held onto a lot of meaningful relationships."
2. eat breakfast out; i think my birthday breakfast for the last two years has been Oddfellows Café + Bar (oddfellowscafe.com), but taking the time to have an extra special solo (or with my partner) breakfast keeps the scaries at bay for at least a couple hours
3. going shopping for a birthday gift for myself in person so i have something to open when i get home.
after that it's pretty much just about having a couple extra things to do during my day like trying a new restaurant / going to a favorite for lunch, running a "fun" errand like dropping off film to get scanned, and then meeting local friends for either dinner out and / or cake and games back at my apartment, etc.
having something where i can look back and feel like i did something is all i'm looking for; i think through my late teens / early twenties i put a lot of emphasis on wanting my my birthday to feel "special" which meant it was doomed to not be "special" enough. since pivoting to having fun my birthday has felt a lot more special since it's just different from the monotony of a normal day, and there wasn't any extra pressure on it
1. respond to every single birthday text i got, and if possible hop on a quick call with as many people as i can. basically just a gratitude practice of "hey as i've gotten older i've not only developed meaningful relationships, i've also held onto a lot of meaningful relationships."
2. eat breakfast out; i think my birthday breakfast for the last two years has been Oddfellows Café + Bar (oddfellowscafe.com), but taking the time to have an extra special solo (or with my partner) breakfast keeps the scaries at bay for at least a couple hours
3. going shopping for a birthday gift for myself in person so i have something to open when i get home.
after that it's pretty much just about having a couple extra things to do during my day like trying a new restaurant / going to a favorite for lunch, running a "fun" errand like dropping off film to get scanned, and then meeting local friends for either dinner out and / or cake and games back at my apartment, etc.
having something where i can look back and feel like i did something is all i'm looking for; i think through my late teens / early twenties i put a lot of emphasis on wanting my my birthday to feel "special" which meant it was doomed to not be "special" enough. since pivoting to having fun my birthday has felt a lot more special since it's just different from the monotony of a normal day, and there wasn't any extra pressure on it
Rec
🪴i think we should leave begind the idea that there are certain activities that you have to do with friends or are weird to do alone - besides on your birthday there are no rules!
here's what i would do with my day:
- have a lie-in - make my favourite breakfast and have a fun drink - go to a museum/art gallery - buy food and sit in a park appreaciating nature - go to the cinema/rewatch a fav movie at home - buy myself a birthday gift (personally i'm leaning towards getting docs for myself for my bday) - call my friends/family
happy birthday!
here's what i would do with my day:
- have a lie-in - make my favourite breakfast and have a fun drink - go to a museum/art gallery - buy food and sit in a park appreaciating nature - go to the cinema/rewatch a fav movie at home - buy myself a birthday gift (personally i'm leaning towards getting docs for myself for my bday) - call my friends/family
happy birthday!
Jun 24, 2025
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