This was my second year feeling some birthday anxiety. Anyone else get anxiety about turning another year older? I’m almost positive I had a quarter-life crisis leading up to my 26th birthday last year. One of the biggest stressors was the idea of finally needing to have my own health insurance plan. I mean it was only health insurance, what was the big deal? To me, it felt like all strings were officially being cut from my parents.
Last year, my anxiety and panic attacks were still very new and uncomfortable around November. I was still figuring out how to navigate it all so I found it difficult to actually enjoy my birthday. The actual day of my birthday last year I napped most of the day and then went to see Wicked on Broadway. I wanted so badly to be excited and enjoy the show, but my anxiety was so debilitating I was counting down the minutes in my head until the show was over. For me, that’s a huge disappointment because I absolutely love the theatre. Given my emotions a year ago, a part of me feared I’d feel the same feelings of worry and despair again. Especially, with the National Election happening on the same day of my birthday this year I couldn’t help but feel anxious for our country and our future. A year of growth and progress truly did help me prioritize my thoughts on my birthday. I focused all my energy on me.
I probably wouldn’t have done anything for my birthday given Covid and I knew the election was weighing over everyone. I’m so fortunate to have amazing friends that push me in the best ways. I had lunch with friends at Restoration Hardware Rooftop in Meatpacking and it was fabulous. For those of you in NYC, I highly recommend ??. In the evening, Nate took me to dinner. My request was that it was Italian, and he definitely outdid himself with the selection. We happened to stumble upon a hidden gem in our East Village home. By the end of the night, I think I gained 5 pounds consuming the following throughout the day:
- Cookies + Tea for breakfast
- Cheeseburger + fries + prosecco for lunch
- Wine as a snack
- Fresh burrata and arugula for dinner appetizer
- Fresh bread + olive oil
- Rigatoni all ‘amatriciana for dinner
- Tiramisu on the house
- Milk Bar slice of Vanilla Cake
- Milk Bar slice of Chocolate Cake
- Wine night cap
I mean… … … … … …. ? Am I surprised my jeans fit snug?
Throughout the day my phone was buzzing with well wishes. I was overwhelmed with joy, happiness and love. I felt so loved. I think we should live everyday like it’s our birthday emotionally (definitely not with all the treats). If I can channel all the love I felt in roughly 24 hours throughout the year I’d be invincible. Some days will be harder than others and that’s inevitable, but it’s days like my birthday that I can reflect on and know that I’m not alone and I have a full team behind me, supporting me and loving me. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my day any other way.
