AIBU to be looking forward to spending my birthday completely alone?

[BeWorthyBear]

I’m turning 42 on Friday and, for once, the planets have aligned and I’ll have the house to myself.

DS (21) has buggered off round Europe for six weeks with his uni mates on his graduation trip. DD (18) is off tonight on a girls’ holiday to celebrate the end of A-Levels, and DH is away for work from tomorrow for a week. He’s been moping around like he’s leaving me on my deathbed, and has left a suspiciously large pile of birthday presents in the kitchen like he’s trying to buy his way out of guilt.

But the truth is I’m absolutely thrilled.

I’ve batch cooked my favourite meals that everyone else whinges about being “too heavy for summer”, think beef casserole and lasagne. I’ve loaded the Sky box with all the true crime, trash TV and stuff DH pretends to be allergic to. No one will ask me where their passport is, I won’t have to negotiate for use of the bathroom. I won’t have to answer any questions about lost phone chargers or uni admin, or pretend I’m interested in the latest TikTok drama. Heaven.

I’m off work Friday and fully intend to spend the day in bed, eating like a hungover student and reading rubbish. No socialising. No pretending to be interested in my own birthday. Just pure, undiluted quiet.

But apparently, this is a tragedy. DH keeps apologising like he’s forgotten our anniversary, random friends keep saying how “sorry” they are that I’ll be “on my own”, and DD asked if I’ll be okay like I’ve just been dumped.

AIBU to actually be looking forward to a day where no one’s demanding anything from me, I’m not cooking, I’m not taxiing anyone, and I’m eating all the crisps in peace?

Or am I secretly a sociopath who’s lost the plot?

Sounds like bliss!

Sounds like bliss to me. Enjoy!

Sounds like bloody heaven OP. Enjoy your week!! 🥰

I'm jealous! Happy birthday!

Sounds fabulous!

It's why I love living alone.

Haha. YANBU and it sounds dreamy. I do think you’re lucky though to have all those people who care about you. Spending a birthday alone by choice, and as a break from an intensive family life, is very different to spending it alone because you don’t really have anyone. I guess just try to remember that when they’re getting on your tits!

I’m another one who is jealous, sounds like my idea of heaven.

Oh, it sounds amazing! Just be careful no well-meaning friend ruins it by surprising you with a day of activities, so you won’t have to spend your birthday alone… 😱

My husband took the kids away 2 years in a row over my birthday and it was primo.

The house was so clean, I could eat food he was allergic to, and hit up a museum. I was so well rested and relaxed. It was a fabulous birthday present.

Enjoy and Happy Birthday 🎂

Oh my phone is being turned off!

DD has sent 3 long text messages apologising since she got in the car with her mates to the airport. I feel like there's something deathly wrong with me! 😂

I’ve read many stories from women on bere who spend every birthday and Christmas alone. One is nothing.

Don't answer the door.

Oh I know, I'm absolutely ecstatic about it!

Heaven! You are under strict orders from me to enjoy every single minute 😁

I’m single - this my reality, @BeWorthyBear! I get to enjoy all the ‘home alone’ benefits every day, unless I choose otherwise.

I actually went away to my favourite hotel for a recent significant birthday. That was utterly blissful, and I’ve noticed a few of my single friends doing the same. Extended family sometimes raise an eyebrow at this love for solitude, but friends get it.

Wishing you a glorious birthday!

Enjoy!

I LOVE spending birthdays and Christmases on my own, doing whatever I like and eating whatever I want. In fact, I make excuses as to why I can't possibly have company on such days, because my family pity me for being alone so much!

I would be in heaven too, op! Maybe show them all this thread, they might trust that you know your own mind, then!

Now I'm chuckling at the thought of me rocking up to a nearby luxury hotel with my lasagne for the week... that could be serious bliss!

Not unreasonable at all, it sounds like heaven! DH works from home now so is here ALL THE TIME! He was away for the night last week and I had a whole day and night to myself ☺️ freshly made bed, long bath, duck & pancakes ready meals and watching true crime in bed till the early hours of the morning - it was bliss!

I've booked the hotel! Why not, eh?

Sounds like perfection!

Make sure you fully take advantage of doing everything selfishly! For me I’d be getting new pjs, toiletries, candles, and an unacceptable volume and variety of crisps and sweets.

Absolutely not. I recently spent my 60th birthday alone (well, I was away from home, at an event attended by thousands of people, but you know what I mean - nobody knew me, let alone that it was my birthday).
Every adult has choices - if you are happy with your choices, that's all that matters. Some of us choose to ignore birthdays; some of us choose precious time alone.

The best thing about getting divorced (for me) was the fact that ex picked them up on a Sunday morning and then dropped them at school on a Monday.

I LOVE my DC, and they used to worry about me, 'Won't you miss us? You might be lonely'.

Oh my darlings. It was blissful having every Sunday to myself, however much I love you.

I may, of course, also be a sociopath...

Seriously? Fabulous! How many nights, @BeWorthyBear?

Your birthday your choice, have a lovely day.