Why Do Birthdays Feel Like a Nightmare for Some and a Celebration for Others?

Is there a mental health reason for birthday dread, or is it just a cruel reminder that we’re not living our best lives?

Image AI-generated by the author.

Have you ever had conflicting feelings as your birthday draws near instead of the joyous occasion it deserves? It’s not only you.

In the domain of mental health, I’ve seen a common theme: many discuss feeling depressed and nervous around their birthdays, and I experience these similar feelings myself.

This is not a talk about being ungrateful; rather, it is a more in-depth analysis of the complex link between birthday expectations and mental health.

Let’s examine why living in the contemporary world can sometimes feel more like a burden than an advantage.

Oh Great, Time to Check If You’re a Failure Yet!

Sometimes birthdays might be an unwanted hindrance. Around this time, we feel extra pressure to think back on the last year and our life in general.

We also have to assess ourselves based on standards we have established for ourselves or other people. I got the impression that I am looking into a mirror that shows not only who I am…