Birthday rituals everyone should be doing
So yippie, tomorrow is my birthday and if you’re reading this, let your gift to me be - clicking on the subscribe button.
Tomorrow, I turn a new age, my own personal New Year.
But turning 27 feels…odd. It’s not one of those big milestone ages like 21, 25, or 30. It doesn’t feel special. It feels quietly powerful —a subtle nudge reminding me that I’m growing, evolving, stepping further into myself.
I don’t remember being particularly excited about my birthdays when I was younger. Maybe it was because my birthday always fell during the school year. It was another weekday where I’d dress up, go to school, and do the usual student stuff. But my saving grace? My parents and their birthday tradition. At the stroke of midnight, we’d gather to pray. My mom and dad would take turns giving me their heartfelt blessings, setting the tone for a day that always felt sacred in its simplicity. Even now, miles apart, this tradition continues over the phone.
After school, my mom would leave work early and take me to a restaurant. We would sit opposite each other, like two lovers discovering themselves for the first time, mostly with me devouring a juicy chicken lap. Afterward, she’d surprise me with a gift and whisk me off to a photo studio for my annual birthday portrait. Later that night, my dad would drive me around the streets of Ilorin, he knows I appreciate a night drive. With the windows down and the city lights flickering outside, we’d talk about everything and nothing, cruising through the quiet streets. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was ours. And it meant everything.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that those simple moments are the most precious. Birthdays don’t have to be grandiose to be meaningful—they just need intention. In my adult life, I’ve started creating rituals of my own. Planning my birthday has become less about what others expect and more about what feels right for me. I see my birthday as a personal reset button—a reminder that I can close old chapters and write new ones.
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I believe birthdays, much like the New Year, hold the promise of transformation within them. The chance to grow, to shed old skin, and to unfold the new. So, here’s a list of birthday rituals I believe everyone should set aside time for each year:
Write a letter to yourself. Think about the little girl/boy you once were. What would she say to you today? What were the things she always wanted to have? Would you treat her like you treat yourself now? I think it’s beautiful to collect memories in your notepad or journal because think about how a year from now you can look back and think I’ve come so far.
Have a self-care day. Every year I dedicate a week to pampering myself. I get my hair done. Nails done. Spa treatment. Movie date. Brunch date. Name it. For you, it could be something as small as enjoying a piece of chocolate or playing a game. Just take care of yourself. No one else will do it for you. No one else can do it better.
Schedule a spiritual retreat. I always pick a time and date when I have a full conversation with God, alone, away from the noise. It’s me and my Maker. I soak myself in prayers and thanksgiving because I understand the grace upon my life, and I have to give Him back the Glory. Define what a spiritual retreat will look like for you and do it.
Gift yourself. It’s a nice tradition to always give yourself a birthday present. Throw yourself a surprise party and act surprised! Just do what makes you happy.
Bake yourself a cake. If you don’t know how, google it! I just think there’s something special about a homemade cake and it’s a great way to create something for yourself.
Birthdays are special to me, and I believe everyone should take the time to savor the moment and create beautiful memories for themselves.
So yippie, tomorrow is my birthday and if you’re reading this, let your gift to me be - clicking on the subscribe button.
What’s your favorite birthday ritual? Let me know in the comments.