So I just turned 25. But it seems, and HAS seemed that age means nothing to me anymore. It's a day full of guilt free excuses and what resembles pitty, not in a literal sense of course. But you get away with things, laziness etc. People do things for you that normally don't happen (at least on a regular basis). Free shit, praise.

For the past four years I have forgotten my birthday. But people still insist that its an important day. Even though its a day like any other.

Am I missing something?

I never celebrate and its mostly a regular day with one or two people gratulating me.
Then i start to think about aging and death and how much i missed out in life and the day turns into a bad one. So all in all, i would prefer not to have them.

Meh, I enjoy showing a little extra love and attention to people I'm really close to on their birthdays. Nothing wrong with celebrating the day they bloomed into existence

This just reminded me of a persons bday coming up, thank you. I know some people who celebrate birthday weeks, so a day in comparison is a must. Just a strong reminder of the one certainty we have waiting for us, death.

Obliguhl- that is a fine statement. It could just be a reminder of 'certain' things. Thank you.

Korey - I enjoy expressing the same to others, and I know the feeling is only being returned. But I don't want it. A bit hypocritical I know. But still true.

Scudge - I can't explain why, but I've read a lot of your posts, and we may become friends over time. Kindred minds in many instances, I suppose. I'm just speaking personally. I treat others better than I'm treated these days tho.

Perhaps your idea of what a birthday is about has been twisted by society into believing that this day should be one where you celebrate becoming older and receiving gifts.

But shouldn't a birthday be about celebrating life? Celebrate that you are alive and that you are capable of sharing this wonderful gift with your loved ones. It shouldn't revolve around presents but it should revolve around friendship, love, sharing. Celebrate your birthday with a dinner with your most loved ones, bake them a cake and share it with them.

The western idea of a birthday has nothing to do with celebrating life but about money.

Who knows maybe we're related, or even it could be your birth day you reminded me of, cake

but still If you dont think its necessary for one to celebrate your existence you cant stop your loved ones and friends from wanting to celebrate you.

All valid points guys. I believe it shouldn't be necessary to celebrate life one day out of the year, and its never been about receiving gifts to me, all that is just going thru the motions. I do have a dinner planned and a beach/bonfire thing, and drinkin hahaha but none of these things are excused by it being my birthday. These are norms in my world.

I guess I was just wonderin if anyone feels the same about birthdays not being special anymore. Like Christmas.

It's kinda like that child-like innocence is gone, and to me that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Just part of getting older man. Life is all what me make it. My birthdays have little if any significance to me anymore, just like the weekend, only I get excited about weekends because I can sleep in some. I wouldn't let it get you down. Just make the days that end up being special count.

I would venture to say that by 25, most have used up their childhood quota of pony rides and party hats.

But you think it's unexciting now? Give it 20 more years...

I have never been particularly excited by my birthday and don't really like to be treated special either. I have a friend who's birthday is a few days before mine and she is always super pumped about it and even starts the celebration the night before "birthday eve" I thought it was sort of selfish and all that until I found out what she had to say about it.

She isn't being selfish and wanting people to shower her in gifts or anything like that, she just thinks that you only have one birthday a year and that you should celebrate your entry into the world. I started thinking about it and it really is true, you can and should celebrate life every day, but you only get permission to go nuts one day a year to celebrate your anniversary of coming into this world, why not get excited and let loose? Life is amazing and as far as we know it is the only one we have. There is nothing wrong with going all out and celebrating like crazy, you could even consider it a praise to your creator if you believe in that, I'm sure if there is a conscious god it would be happy to know you are celebrating the life you were given.

That being said my last birthday was pretty lame and uneventful. I should have celebrated but I guess I'm still to jaded to realize exactly how special I am.

sage Francis sums it up nicely "celebrating life by destroying your body"

I'm kinda with Art on this one... Once you roll past a few of the big ones (30,40...) the whole idea loses a bit if its luster. Plus I don't like having a fuss made over me, makes me feel awkward. But I'll admit I'm being a bit of a Scrooge here.

We have a toddler in the house and I very much look forward to celebrating #2. At her age it's still a big deal. And I enjoy others birthdays more than my own... Again, I just don't want a fuss made on my behalf.

On the flipside, the Jehovah's Victims are not allowed to celebrate their birthdays, or anything about themselves... And they tend to be a depressed, dysfunctional bunch.