Celebrating Your Birthday Solo

I’ve thrown big parties, invited friends over, and gone all out for my birthday, but I find that doing this every year is overwhelming. It takes a lot of energy, and I like to make sure it feels special when I do. I’ve also celebrated my birthday while traveling, including a memorable solo dinner at a high-end restaurant in Singapore.

In defense of the low-key birthday

Honestly, most of my birthdays are low-key. I love catching up with a friend for lunch or simply spending time by myself in a way that feels meaningful. Even when I was in a relationship, I often gravitated toward purposeful alone time on my birthday.

If you’re someone who might be alone on your birthday or simply prefer a solo celebration, here are some ways I like to mark the occasion when I’m by myself. And to be clear, I don’t need to do these things on my exact birthday. Choosing a day during my birth month works just as well. The fact that you’ve set aside time to celebrate you is the main point.

Creating a Day That Reflects the Year Ahead

If there are habits or goals I want to focus on in the coming year, I incorporate them into my birthday. For example, if I want to read more, exercise regularly, and eat nourishing meals, I’ll plan a day that includes all these things. It’s a small way to set intentions and give them the attention they deserve.

Reading a Book or Watching a Movie

Spending time doing something I enjoy, like reading or watching a great film, feels indulgent in the best way. While I like going out and having an experience, I’ve also found that being surrounded by groups of people celebrating together can sometimes heighten the awareness of being alone. That’s why I love the controlled environment of home. It feels like a cocoon where I can celebrate in my own way.

Journaling

I take some time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the next. There’s something grounding about putting my thoughts onto paper, acknowledging what I’ve experienced, and deciding how I want to move forward.

Expressing Gratitude

Birthdays are a natural time to reflect on life, and I like to acknowledge the things I’m grateful for. One of those things is my mom. After all, she did all the work on the day I was born, so since I’m fortunate enough to be able, I make sure to call her and say thanks.

Buying Myself Something Special

I usually treat myself to something from the wish list I keep on my phone, ideally something I’ll keep for a long time, like a handbag or another item that commemorates this moment whenever I use it. It’s a way of marking the occasion in a tangible way.

Getting a Cake

For me, the bare minimum for a birthday celebration is cake and candles. Even if my friends aren’t around to get one for me, I’ll buy a slice of my favorite cake or order a dessert I love. There’s something about blowing out candles, even alone, that makes a birthday feel official.

Getting Flowers

I don’t always have flowers in my home, so buying some for myself on my birthday feels celebratory. It’s a simple way to brighten my space and mark the occasion.

Conclusion

There are moments in life when we’re surrounded by people and others when we may find ourselves alone but that doesn’t mean celebrating birthdays needs to pause. We don’t need to waiting for others to be available to celebrate and honor the day.

There’s nothing embarrassing about taking time to appreciate your own experience of life. If you’re in a position where you find yourself celebrating your birthday solo, I hope you embrace it as a meaningful and personal occasion.