It’s the day before my birthday and I am super excited to be turning a year older tomorrow.
I have always been a big birthday person. I start counting down to my birthday at least two weeks in advance, sending out reminders and wish lists and deciding what type of cake I want.
I take my birthday so seriously that my top priority as I was starting my new job was to choose a rota that ensured I wouldn’t be at work on my birthday, and the three days prior. So as you can imagine, it has been celebration galore.
My love for celebrations extends to other people’s birthdays and general holidays like Halloween and Christmas and so on.
Once upon a time, when life was much simpler and I didn’t have to pay council tax, I even used to design my manicure around holiday themes. I can neither confirm nor deny that my home and body scents are changed according to season. I have also been known to order a cake for someones birthday and end up eating most of it. All in the spirit of celebration.
In recent years, I have further cultivated my celebration habit by celebrating all my wins, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
The simple acknowledgement that I have completed a task I set out to achieve is a form of encouragement to me that might help with achieving the same task another day, or beginning a completely different task. This happens because we are more likely to keep doing the things we are praised/celebrated for doing.
We see this starting early in life. Children in school are more likely to stick with subjects where they constantly excel because they get commended or win prizes. A child who appears to be struggling with a certain subject is introduced to a new teacher who is more effusive with praise and suddenly starts to flourish.
We thrive when we are celebrated.
In addition to celebrating my wins, I am also learning to celebrate my people and their wins. I’m making a conscious effort to give people their flowers while they can still smell them. Simple things like sending a message on the first day of a new job, go a long way.
Celebration doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It can be as simple as a silent acknowledgement to yourself that you have done well by completing a task you set for yourself.
It can be a little jig at the end of your workout, or a gold star on your calendar for every day that you do not smoke. It can also be sharing your wins with strangers on the internet via social media.
If you look closely enough, you might find little everyday wins worth celebrating. Do not hesitate to pause and celebrate them and yourself. You’re doing well.
This week I am reading
The Bead Collector by Sefi Atta and it is giving me nostalgia for a Lagos I never knew and also reminding me that some people are story weavers and Sefi Atta is one of such people.
I am thankful for friends both far and near who always take the time to celebrate me. Coming home to packages will never not be pleasing to me and this past week has been particularly pleasing. I am truly grateful.
And to you reading, I appreciate the privilege of taking up space in your mailbox. Thank you.
Here’s wishing you a week full of reasons to celebrate.
Chioma a.k.a Birthday girl/aunty.