Print Email

On Cosmo's birthday month, let's ban sulking as we make our birthday wishes. Instead, celebrate. You deserve it—we deserve it.

After the 24th, it's tempting to dread the birthdays after. With the crazy combination of quarter-life crossroads, possible second jobs, and the pressure to make a difference in one's life, it becomes almost a burden to turn a year older. I've gone through birthdays crying through the midnight mark, sleeping through it, or purposely drowning it in one cocktail too plenty. I've put myself to bed wanting to just wake up and stop time.

Okay, I'm going to come clean: It's been a while since my 24th birthday. And while I still get my occasional bouts of birthday blues, I've generally learned to turn birthdays around. Birthdays are awesome. They force you to reminisce, evaluate, and look forward. Here, some ways I've eased myself through birthday blues and strategies to make these fabulous occasions ultimately happy.

1. Take time out.
   
   I find it extremely helpful to take a breather near your birthday. Give yourself a day or even just an afternoon off to relax, space out, dream. Think of the year that was and start looking forward to all the opportunities that'll make the coming year your best year yet.
   
   
   
   I had an '80s-themed birthday bash, complete with party crepe and a mobile set-up. I loved how my friends were so game.
   
   
   Before my recent 30th birthday a couple of months back (okay, 'yan umamin na ako), I gave myself a couple of early evenings to veg out and relax. Looking back at my quite tumultuous 29th year, I thought of all the challenges I hurdled and storms I weathered. Then, I thought of all the moments that I did myself proud. Evaluating your life by the year gives it meaning. Plus, somehow, it also gives you a sense of pride.
   
   
2. Preen and prosper.
   
   I think that birthdays are good times to do some "spring cleaning." They give you reason to let go of things that aren't working out and free your life for things that can be spectacular. That unhealthy vice? Let it go. That lingering heartbreak? Allow yourself to really heal. The nega people who keep putting you down? Finally bid them farewell—as hard as that is to do. Tidying up can possibly be the best thing you can do and the best gift you can give yourself.
   
   I try to see my birthdays like my personal "New Years," charged with resolutions and pledges. I've learned (mostly from Cosmo) that, sometimes, it's okay to resolve to let go of things, people, and emotions in order to move forward. And, that's exactly what I did. Now, I feel lighter and I have hope for better things to come.
   
   
3. Dream and believe.
   
   I'd like to think that birthdays give you the freedom to dream big. So, I do. I imagine my life being the way I dream it would be, relishing the relationships I hope to have, and savoring the luxuries and lifestyle I deserve. It'll be wonderful; I'm sure of it. I think you have to train your mind to expect wonderful things in order to have these wonderful things come true.
   
   Though it isn't always easy to be chirpy and positive, I try to be as optimistic as I can during each birthday—none of the sulking because I just turned a year older. Instead, I try to count my blessings and be grateful for the year that was and excited for the year that will be.
   
   
4. Surround yourself with people you love and who love you.
   
   I think this is by far my favorite part about birthdays. It's a reason to gather all of the people who are dear to me. I like it that the people who really matter go out of their way to be there for you on your birthday. Whether I feel like going goofy (like I did during my last birthday) or going senti, they'll be there to welcome a new year by my side.
   
   Make birthdays the time to show people how much they've contributed to making your life complete and happy.
   
   
   
   Two of my beloved friends even came dressed as Michael Jackson and as a Bagets/Menudo star. I love it!
   
   
   Posing with my super-close friend and makeup artist Amanda Padilla (AKA Michael Jackson). Even my mom and sis joined the festivities and were cool enough to come in costume.
   
   
   Here, with some of the friends who help me keep my sanity at work. I just had to have them party with me!
   

This month, we're all sharing the same birthday, Cosmo's 13th birthday in the country. I'm so excited to do all of the above. Happy birthday, Cosmo girls!

Print | Email

Related Articles

• Celebs, Cover Girls, Hunks, & Models Attend Cosmo's 15th Anniversary Party!
• CosmoTV: Cosmo.ph Singles' Bash 2011
• Stylish Girls Reveal How Cosmo Changed Their Lives
• What Cosmo Girls Wear To Clubs
• CosmoTV: What Cosmo Chicks--And MEN--Love About COSMO.PH!

From THE FUN, FEARLESS FORUM:

x

Friend's Email:
Message: (optional)
Your Name:
Your Email:

Follow
us on:

  

POPULAR IN COSMO COMMUNITY

Join thousands of subscribers enjoying our fab weekly Wednesday sendouts, and get EXCLUSIVE celeb news, tips, and promos right in your inbox.