What to Do If Your Birthday Is Totally Ignored Because of the Coronavirus
The coronavirus is disrupting everything—school, work, and even birthday celebrations.
If your birthday fell in the last couple weeks (or if you have one coming up), it likely feels as though the annual occasion was or will be largely overlooked because of everything going on right now.
But rest assured, if you're in that sad birthday boat, all hope is not lost. Believe it or not, there are still fun ways to celebrate and honor your special day even if you're quarantined.
Scroll down for what you should do if your birthday is totally ignored because of the coronavirus.
Allow Yourself to Be Bummed
We're living in a weird time, and if your birthday was overlooked because of a pandemic, it's totally normal to be upset about it. Own what you're feeling and know there's nothing wrong with expressing sadness, fear, or whatever other emotions may be bubbling up inside you right now. If you can, talk to a parent or relative, or FaceTime with a friend. Sometimes just having someone to listen to you is enough to lift your spirits a bit.
(via Unsplash)
Host a Virtual Party
A party in your backyard or a trip to the movies is obviously a no-no right now, but there's nothing wrong with hosting a virtual gathering with your nearest and dearest. Give your friends a heads up, and FaceTime them when you're ready to celebrate. Use the time to catch up, talk, and play games. If you want, you could even pick a theme or ask all your pals to sport their fanciest outfits in your honor. Chances are they'll love the chance to dress up!
Do Something Nice for Yourself…
Even if you're with your family, being quarantined can feel lonely and scary because there's so much we still don't know. Your birthday, now more than ever, is a chance for you to do a little something nice for yourself. Obviously your options are pretty limited right now, but there are still plenty of things you can do to mark your special day. If you have some cake mix on hand, go ahead and whip up a birthday treat for yourself. If that's not an option, grab a snack, download one of your favorite movies, and live your best quarantine life. For those who might be feeling a tad anxious, find a sunny spot near a window (or in your yard, if you can) and meditate for 15 minutes. If all else fails, there's nothing a little retail therapy can't fix, amirite?
(via Unsplash)
And Someone Else, Too
Sure, doing something nice for yourself on your birthday is a given, but in these difficult times, it's also important that we keep others in mind. If you can, buy a gift card to a local restaurant you'd like to use at a later date—maybe even for a belated birthday celebration. You can also donate to a local food bank or animal shelter. When you feel powerless in times like this, sometimes even doing something small that can help someone else is enough to make you feel less scared or anxious.
Look Ahead to Your Next Birthday
The fear and stress associated with the coronavirus won't last forever. It might be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel just yet, but it's there. Somewhere. If this birthday was overlooked on account of, you know, a pandemic, there's nothing to say you can't start looking ahead to your next birthday or big milestone. Just look at it this way, you've had about a year to prepare, and now you have a great reason to throw an especially epic party once things calm down and start looking and feeling "normal" again.
(via Unsplash)
For more coronavirus content, click HERE for a list of things to make sure you're doing during quarantine.