To hate birthdays?

[surlycurly]

Morning all. I'm 40 today and for several months all I've seen on my social media is a string of extravagant birthday celebrations. AIBU to think that this pressure to have bigger and better birthdays is a bit nuts? I've always hated my birthday (well for as long as I can remember), mainly because I find it a raging let down; the expectation leads you to believe that you'll be spoiled all day when really it's not particularly different to any other day!

Anyway, today is going to be another one of those times when I expect/ hope for a lot and go to bed with a crushing sense of disappointment. I do hate birthdays...

Ooft to add insult to injury

Happy birthday!
I’ve started telling my DP exactly what I want to happen on my birthday as it just wouldn’t occur to him that a nice breakfast or similar might be nice despite me always doing it for him.

Happy Birthday! Mumsnet won't disappoint you.

I have to say I feel the same about birthdays. I felt like you in the run-up to my 40th, although DH did do some lovely things for me, so it wasn't the disappointment but just the wanting it to be over iyswim?

Now my 50th is looming and I'm grumpy as hell about it. Friends want to go out the week before or the week after blah blah but I don't see the point in that. I just want to do something nice on the day itself then forget about it.

Hope you have a nice day today though

Thank you! I just got a load of presents from my family and was stared at in anticipation. I think that's one of the worst bits- the fear of not liking something and potentially upsetting someone I love by it showing on my face. I'm desperate for it to be over.

I have my 50th coming up next year. And I hate any attention anyway. The idea of having a party or even a meal out is my idea of Hell.
I'd rather go on a special trip with family.

Happy birthday. In my 50s. You get to learn tactics as you get older and just savour the real stuff.
At the risk of putting a downer on it, I had thought my 21st was my worst birthday for disappointment and (imagined) drama. I was utterly wrong. My worst birthday was actually a couple of years ago- my first without my mum who had died not long before. The connection with her was broken- I'd never seen it as "our day" until then.
Let make make their idea of a fuss of you and hug people close to you. The rest is just wrapping paper.

I hate birthdays. The lack of celebrations is just another reminder that nobody is really bothered about me.

I totally get you. As a child my parents never made a fuss, it's tainted how I feel on my birthday. I often feel disappointed then feel like bad person for feeling disappointed. That said, since my 40th (I am 45 on Sat), I too have started telling my partner what I would like to do, usulay something nice but low key. I hate to be the centre of attention.

By the way Happy Birthday 🎂

Thanks all!

I also dislike birthdays. We just go for a nice meal and that's it.

For a very significant birthday of mine recently, I resisted all talk of a big celebration and all that goes with it.

However my dear sister insisted on hosting a family gathering at her house. It was strictly family only and it was wonderful. Kids included it started at 4pm. That's my type of big birthday celebration. Intimate and enjoyable, no pressure.

Happy Birthday OP!