I guess by now many of us will have had some experience of a lockdown birthday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it may not have been a special decade birthday or deserving of special attention, under normal circumstances it could well have resulted in a meal out, some drinks with family and friends, with something to highlight the occasion. It’s nice to have our birthday marked with a minimum of fuss and recognition.
Other celebrations have also been forced to become more low-key or even canceled this year, with weddings, anniversaries and other momentous personal events all but eliminated due to the pandemic. Venues, florists, caterers, entertainers, vendors and associated staff have suffered financially, as well as significant disappointment and distress experienced by those personally affected.
How can we appreciate and even celebrate a happy lockdown birthday?
– It is important to start with gratitude.. Start by being thankful for your health. If those around you are fit and well, then that is something to acknowledge and be thankful for. But the financial and personal impact of this year on those around us cannot be discounted. How affected have those in your life been? While you may have missed your birthday festivities, others have lost their livelihoods, their businesses, many relationships have hit rock bottom. On second thought, your birthday may be low-key this year, but you can promise yourself a lavish update to make up for it once things get back to normal.
– Instead, be imaginative and enjoy treats using what is open and available to you. Many of us can still take local rides. If there is a park, a canal, a beach or an attractive place in nature nearby, decide to take a nice walk, run or ride a bike. It’s good to get out in nature, even if the weather is a bit cold or wet. You can return to the delights of steaming cups of hot chocolate, toasted scones, or a delicious stew or stew that has been slowly cooking while you’ve been gone.
– If you are alone Make sure you have planned ways to make your lonely birthday a little bit brighter. This means thinking ahead of time of pleasant ways you’d like to spend your day. Stocking up on your favorite foods, looking forward to time with a good book, selecting TV shows or movies you’d like to watch, taking a relaxing bath with candles and warm towels, scheduling phone calls or zooming in on family and friends, these are all the positive options you can plan ahead to make the most of your lockdown happy birthday.
– Online is a great way to stay in touch, but not everyone has access to it. For those who do, sharing zoom parties can be a great way to stay in touch and spend time together, perhaps to celebrate a special occasion or even pay tribute to someone who has passed away. Book clubs, quiz nights, songs, even sharing memories and emotional anecdotes can make a moment of loneliness or difficulty more bearable and even pleasant or fun.
– Let people know it’s your birthday., especially your ‘friends’ on social media. Receiving cards and well wishes is especially important this year, as many of us are missing out on personal contact with our loved ones. Many people are well aware of this and are happy to support you and wish you well. Enjoy receiving your good wishes and congratulations. It can be fun to receive cards or sign up to read messages, and keep in mind the possibility of opening conversations and even new friendships.
In life there are things that we can change and others that we cannot, that we just have to tolerate, accept and learn to take one day at a time. COVID-19 and its impact is one of those situations. Living our lives as fully as we can, working our way through the negatives and trying to gain some joy and appreciation for what we have, and thus make the best of a bad situation, is the healthiest way to share love and have a happy life. lockdown birthday.