Happy early birthday! You know, I had a friend plan a birthday outing for me once in the past (not a surprise birthday though), and I honestly didn't enjoy it that much because I felt like it was an excuse for a big group to got out and party and karaoke, which isn't really my scene. And then I couldn't really complain because I would seem ungrateful to my well-meaning friend. The following year, I did a solo birthday in the day where I took a book to a bar and wandered around a new neighborhood, then met up with two friends in the evenings for drinks. Had way more fun. The past few years, I've been doing a road trip with my family, which is exciting but also stressful. Either way, each birthday has been memorable, and I'm ultimately grateful for that rather than having birthdays be like "just another day."
Thanks Tara!! Honestly I think surprise parties are way better in theory than in practice. Going out somewhere in a big group is not my scene either, so I can see why you were stressed out by that experience.
I did a similar solo birthday in 2020 or 2021 when Covid was raging and I didn't feel comfortable hanging out in a big group of people. Took myself to an outdoor mall and stopped at a few stores (which were mostly empty on the weekday) and got myself some kind of brunch/lunch. It's nice to do things on your own terms. Though I can see the benefit of doing something family-centered, too -- sometimes I wish my family wasn't scattered everywhere so it'd be easier for us to celebrate together.
Happy Birthday Jennifer!
Thanks Mike! :)
Happy early birthday! You know, I had a friend plan a birthday outing for me once in the past (not a surprise birthday though), and I honestly didn't enjoy it that much because I felt like it was an excuse for a big group to got out and party and karaoke, which isn't really my scene. And then I couldn't really complain because I would seem ungrateful to my well-meaning friend. The following year, I did a solo birthday in the day where I took a book to a bar and wandered around a new neighborhood, then met up with two friends in the evenings for drinks. Had way more fun. The past few years, I've been doing a road trip with my family, which is exciting but also stressful. Either way, each birthday has been memorable, and I'm ultimately grateful for that rather than having birthdays be like "just another day."
Thanks Tara!! Honestly I think surprise parties are way better in theory than in practice. Going out somewhere in a big group is not my scene either, so I can see why you were stressed out by that experience.
I did a similar solo birthday in 2020 or 2021 when Covid was raging and I didn't feel comfortable hanging out in a big group of people. Took myself to an outdoor mall and stopped at a few stores (which were mostly empty on the weekday) and got myself some kind of brunch/lunch. It's nice to do things on your own terms. Though I can see the benefit of doing something family-centered, too -- sometimes I wish my family wasn't scattered everywhere so it'd be easier for us to celebrate together.