Turning 50: A Year of Celebration, Not Just a Day
Rethinking Milestone Birthdays
Milestone birthdays often come with a set of expectations—grand parties, extravagant holidays, or big gestures that mark the passage of time. Society tells us that turning 50 should be a huge event, one that demands celebration on a grand scale. But as this birthday approached, I started asking myself an important question: What do I actually want?
Rather than focusing on how society defines a milestone birthday, I’ve decided to redefine it for myself. Instead of a single, large-scale event, I’m choosing to celebrate throughout the year in ways that bring me true joy. The pressure to host a lavish party or plan an elaborate trip no longer feels necessary. What matters most is how I feel about this stage in life and the way I choose to honour it.
From Childhood Celebrations to Adult Expectations
Looking back, childhood birthdays were simple yet deeply fulfilling. There was a cake, some candles, a song, and the warmth of family and friends. It wasn’t about the scale of the celebration but about feeling loved and appreciated.
As we grow older, birthdays often become bigger, more elaborate, and sometimes even competitive. The expectation to outdo previous celebrations or match the milestones of others can be overwhelming. There’s an unspoken pressure to make each decade marker something significant. But what if true significance lies not in the size of the event but in the way we experience it?
Choosing a Year of Celebration
Instead of focusing on a single day, I’m spreading my celebration throughout the year. This means planning smaller, intentional moments—weekend getaways with family, meaningful conversations with close friends, and quiet, reflective time spent in nature.
By shifting my focus from a one-day event to a year-long celebration, I’m allowing myself to fully appreciate this milestone rather than letting it rush by in a blur of one big party. A weekend away by the ocean, a long lunch with a group of friends, or even a solo morning walk with a coffee in hand—these are the moments that will define my 50th year.
The Evolution of Friendships
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that no single group of friends can meet all of our needs—and that’s okay. We build different relationships throughout life, and each one serves a unique purpose. I have friends I go to for deep, soulful conversations, those who share my love of books, and others who are always up for a beach walk or a spontaneous road trip.
In my 30s and 40s, I may have felt pressure to gather everyone together in one space for a big birthday celebration. But now, I understand that friendships don’t have to exist in one collective setting to be meaningful. Instead, I can celebrate in ways that honour these relationships individually—catching up over dinner, taking a short trip together, or simply sharing a heartfelt phone call.
How Will You Celebrate?
We all have different ways of honouring life’s milestones. Some prefer grand celebrations, while others find meaning in smaller, quieter moments. Neither approach is right or wrong—it’s about what feels best for you.
So, as I step into this new chapter, I encourage you to ask yourself: How do you want to celebrate your milestones? Do you want a big event filled with excitement, or do you prefer to savour the little moments throughout the year? However you choose to mark your next birthday, remember that the most important thing is celebrating in a way that feels true to you.
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