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Birthday On New Year’s Day


Fortunately or unfortunately I share my birthday with New Year’s Day. Growing up, I was made to feel ultra special because come on the whole world is celebrating your birthday beta! (or so I was mollified). Now are they really? Of course not! They’re celebrating the advent of the new year which just happens to be my birthday! 


Most people are super drunk when the clock strikes 12 so you get loads of drunken wishes. On the other hand you get extremely hungover wishes. Oh also you cannot say “same to you” or “wish you the same” or “to you too”. I know I’m sounding very ungrateful here but responding to a combination of HNY and HBDTY can get quite overwhelming! Yes I do get these acronyms in the guise of wishes. I mean, can there be anything more impersonal? TYVM! 


Don’t even get me started on the lack of food delivery options available on the 1st of January because hellooo the kitchens were overwhelmed on 31st night and the staff need a break. Fair enough but that means my meal options become super limited because I ain’t cooking on my birthday boss! 


I’ve also had to deal with New Year resolution questions on my birthday. I mean what is this? Question time? What is this need for mindless small talk? It really gets on my nerves. How would you like it if you were asked to reflect on a resolution on your birthday? You see what I mean?


Being an introvert, I shy away from public displays of birthday wishes. However over the years , there’s only so much I could do to avoid it at New Year’s Eve parties. I remember escaping to the loo for a breather once in a while. I also remember stepping out of such parties so that I could answer calls from my loved ones wanting to wish me happy birthday as I could not for the life of me hear them speak over the mad din of a NYE celebration. I’m so grateful that ever since the kids were born celebrations have been quiet, family affairs. This year too was special. It’s given me the option to choose how I celebrate the welcoming of my birthday rather than just playing along to the popular vote of “partying”. 


The 1st of January would often seem to me as an anti climax. It’s like everyone is hoping everything will change in the new year and there comes along New Year’s Day to remind you that well, nothing has really changed has it? 


In very selfish retrospect, I would have liked to have a day to call my very own. I don’t want to share it with the world! I mean how does it feel to be a 17th February or 29th June?! Tell me please! I’d love to know! 


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