To decide not to celebrate my birthday this year?

[JollieJullie]

I have a great group of friends, which I know is a blessing. I am very grateful for having found such amazing people.

This weekend my birthday is coming up. I am currently dealing with some medical issues that mean that I can't drink almost anything but water and my diet is also severely restricted. It suck tbh. As a result, I decided that this year I don't want to do any big birthday celebration. No dinner, no drinks. We are a big group so organizing something for everybody is logistically complex and this year I really can do without that stress! I will spend the day going for a long walk with my sister.

My friend group are taking this decision badly. They are all messaging me individually trying to convince me to change my mind and organize something to celebrate, they can't wrap their heads around the fact that I am happy with my decision. I think they feel sorry for me?

Surely it is up to the birthday person to decide how they want to spend the day, even if this year it means not doing anything special? AIBU to think it is fine not to celebrate for once?

Can they come on the walk or another walk with you? Is there something you can do so that you can still all get together?

We have been through transitions as a friendship group when one started AA, another became vegan, another a single mum, lost jobs etc all things that impacted how we celebrated but we’ve always let the person who’s celebration it is take the lead, be that a walk, a picnic, a takeaway etc!

I don’t know if it’s the same in your friendship group but with you being unwell perhaps they’re worried for you and don’t want you to feel alone/revert into yourself and become anti social/push them away?

Do they know y u don’t want to do anything?

Yes I let them know that this year I'd rather skip any big celebration and that I will be with my sister on my birthday for a day in nature. I am trying my best to reassure them but I am now feeling a little pressured tbh!

Just explain to your friends what you have said here about your reasons for not wanting a party as such. They are adults who can surely understand why you want a quiet birthday.

Tell them your abroad

#You're (oops)

This thread is from April so I'm sure it's probably resolved now, but why would your first reaction to be lying (and a lie you could very easily be caught in)?

Ugh sounds stifling.

Just keep repeating ‘not this year - hopefully I’ll have a very fun one next year!’ and ‘no, not this year.’

The more you have to repeat yourself the terser and more short you can be. And eventually ignore.

Urgh pretty sure they won’t do anything for years, the nhs only runs on emergencies!

I’ve woken feels like my bladder has tried to keep things in. Funny horrible twisting sensations.