I’ve noticed a very particular pattern that I go through right around the 18th of Feb every year.

I start to get nervous. Maybe even sad.

Then I subtly tell people it's my birthday.
But also that I'm busy with meetings, client work and other un-skippable things!
I give people the out they need to entirely skip my birthday.

And I want them to take that out so badly because,

I HATE MY BIRTHDAY!

I hate birthday cakes.
I hate the small talk.
I hate saying "Thank-you" & "I love you" to all the Instagram posts & stories.
I hate standing awkwardly while people sing 'Happy Birthday' off-key.

I know I sound ungrateful, & that friends & family are- in all fairness- just trying to show me some love.

But I'm tired & I'm older & this is my guilt free day.

Which is why, this birthday all I'm going to do is curl up on the couch with a Jägerbomb in my coffee cup, read my favorite book & ignore everyone's messages!

Of course, I'll say sorry tomorrow.

But that's 28 year old me's problem!