To not celebrate my 40th birthday?

[stucky]

It's my 40th next week. This year has been really stressful. My long term relationship ended in February really and I just want a quiet birthday. I'm coming to the end of my placement for my degree. It's been really ardusous and I was just looking forward to a quiet weekend and celebrating quietly with me kids on the day next week.
I have remained friends with my ex, our break up was amicable. He called tonight to ask me if we could have a party at his this weekend to celebrate. I've explained that it's not what I want but he got upset and started telling me it's what everyone wants to do and that it's what my friends and my mum want to do.
its just not what I want. AIBU? I feel like such a dick but I'm genuinely exhausted and absolutely peopled out.

Maybe think of it as something that will take your mind off a bit and help you relax and enjoy. 😊

happy birthday 🎈🎂

Then go do something you want on the day of your birthday.

It's your birthday. Do what you want.

It's your birthday so you get to decide, tell him to sod off.

If you want a quiet birthday then people should respect that and not bully you into doing something you don't want to do.

If they are so desperate to have a party then they could all have a party without you needing to be there.

Happy birthday when it comes OP and I hope the coming year is less stressful for you.

If your friends knew that you genuinely didn't want to celebrate the occasion, and you weren't just being humble or faux "oh no you shouldn't have!" then I'm sure they'd respect that and go with what you want. Same with your Mum.

If they'd actually rather make you do something you don't want to, when it's YOUR birthday, then they're all arses and you should just do what you want anyway.

I think you should let your friends and family celebrate you. Ask for it to be relatively low-key.

of course you don’t have to do something you don’t want on your birthday!