A birthday ritual will quite literally transform how you celebrate and view yourself.
How many times have you experienced a birthday that wasn't quite what you had in mind? There was a part of you that wanted to be cherished and celebrated, but the day just sort of came up short?
What if I told you that never has to happen again, because with this beautiful birthday ritual, any extra love you receive on your birthday from others will just be added cherries on top of your already perfect cake.
I started doing this self-care birthday ritual three years ago and it completely changed the way my birthday feels. I look forward to it and enjoy it, because there's no one who can love you like YOU can.
"Today isn't my birthday, but it might be yours. If it is, I hope you're having a wonderful day–a day of authentic indulgences, joyful simplicities, contemplation, closure, and celebration. We should all commemorate our birthdays that way. I've reached a point where I'm not really big on major birthday gatherings, but I do need to distinguish the birth day of my life in special ways from the rest of the calendar. So I've created my own birthday ritual to help me commemorate the year just past while invoking illumination for the year to come." - Sarah Ban Breathnach
What is a birthday ritual?
A birthday ritual is simply celebrating your life and loving yourself on your birthday. We don't do these two things nearly enough throughout the year, so your birthday is the perfect time for this ritual.
Have you ever celebrated yourself on your birthday? I know a lot of people throw birthday parties for themselves every year, but I mean have you really celebrated you?
Usually every year I try to avoid telling anyone it's my birthday, and yet at the same time, I'll get a little down if the people around me forget it or don't make it as memorable as I actually want it to be. That's a lot of pressure on the poor souls who know me!
I read the daily book Simple Abundance every morning, and there was a day in December that talked about how to celebrate your birthday with a beautiful self-care ritual. I had never really thought of celebrating my birthday like this, but I instantly knew it would feel transformative and couldn't wait for my January birthday to get here.
I turned 33 this past week (2017), and I have to tell you that this has been the BEST birthday I've had since I was probably 5 years old.
I know it's because I was looking forward to doing this birthday ritual and not caring if anyone noticed if it was my birthday or not. I was too busy picking out the perfect gift for me, shopping for the prettiest wrapping paper and bow, gathering all the supplies I would need, and making arrangements so that I had the day to myself.
Anything else was just going to be icing on the cake.
I gathered my supplies:
- Old and new photos
- A journal
- Tea light candles
- Bath bubbles
- My favorite flowers
- Champagne and champagne flute
- My favorite music playlist
- Freshly made bed
- Fresh pajamas
- Beautifully wrapped gift from me to me!
This is part of my gift that I didn't wrap, which was this purse. I have been carrying the SAME diaper bag for the last three years because I loved it so much. I was in desperate need of a new bag but finding a bag for me is like finding jeans or a bra.
"First, I take a soothing bath, symbolically washing away the past year's pain, sorrow, regrets, mistakes, and guilt." - Sarah Ban Breathnach
A birthday ritual to remember
With the house empty and silent after taking my kids to my mom's house, I pulled all of their toys out of the tub and ran a bath. I lit several tea light candles and placed them around the tub, turned off the lights, and enjoyed a blissful and peaceful bubble bath by myself.
I thought about the way Sarah said the bath was symbolic of washing away all of the past year's mistakes, any regrets or lingering guilt. For me, the only real pain I experienced in the past year was the pain and regret of not being my own best friend sooner.
This would be the perfect time to let go of any of the criticisms you've been carrying around about yourself. Let go of any disappointment or hurt from others. Let go of any guilt!
Guilt over not being a good enough mom, wife, sister, friend...guilt over things not being the way you had hoped, guilt over things you wished you would've done and things you wished you wouldn't have. Wash it all away and let it drain with the water.
Let it go, this is a fresh slate. A new year.
Next to my bed, I set everything up. My candles, the card from my husband, the Duplos my boys built for me (of two little brothers holding hands), my favorite bouquet of flowers, champagne, the photos, and my journal. I also had my string lights on that I've put up around my bed.
"Then I go alone to my bedroom and light one votive candle for each year. My favorite music is playing in the background, fragrant incense fills the air, and beside my bed is a bouquet of my favorite flowers. I put on a brand-new nightgown and get comfortable in my freshly made bed.
I then offer a personal psalm of thanksgiving for my life. As the candles burn I reflect on my personal journey so far. I look at old and recent photographs, then read selections from my journal. So many wonderful moments from the past year have already slipped from my conscious memory; it's comforting to call them back for a brief visit.
Next I ask for a birthday gift that only the Giver of Good can bestow: to conceive a wonderful new dream or plan; to realize a dream delayed; to overcome an old fear or be released from an old pain; to experience a new freedom; to discover a new strength; to find a new friend; to achieve a long-sought goal; to reach toward a new aspiration; to overcome a new challenge.
I sip a glass of champagne, then slowly open a beautifully wrapped gift from my authentic self. And of course, it's the perfect present." - Sarah Ban Breathnach
I LOVED this part. Lighting the candles for each year I've been alive felt so special, and taking quiet moments alone to look at old photos, remember the past year, and feel grateful for my life was the most unique way I've ever celebrated my birthday.
The two other gifts I got myself were these books.
Eat Pretty Every Day has an entry for every day of the year and is specific to the season.
Heart Thoughts is a gorgeous book by one of my favorite authors, another book on shifting your mindset and releasing negative beliefs about the world and yourself. I've added both of these books into my morning self-care routine.
"Many people who love you will try, but no one can celebrate your birth day exactly the way you need for it to be observed. That's because no one really knows the year you've just completed; no one else has lived it. What's more, each year is different. Your thirty-second and forty-eighth birthday won't begin to resemble each other. Your husband, lover, children, friends, and co-workers can be aware of recent events that have unfolded in your life, but only your authentic self knows how deeply these events reverberated." - Sarah Ban Breathnach
The most magical thing that happened for me with this ritual is that it caused me to have no expectations on others for how my birthday should be celebrated, which in turn manifested an abundance of love pouring in from others.
My husband took me out to dinner and it was horrible but I don't remember a night that I've laughed so much. The day was perfect and nothing was able to ruin it.
Every year that I get older, I become more of my own best friend and give myself the things that for so long I thought I needed to get from others.
When we relieve others from needing to be the source of our happiness, the ironic thing is that so much more love and acts of kindness flow in from others. And the more love we give to ourselves, the deeper our sense of worth becomes so we're able to allow others to love us instead of pushing it away because we don't feel worthy. It's a beautiful chain effect!
I created this checklist for my own reference when I followed Sarah's birthday ritual. If you'd like this download, it's available to my subscribers. Sign up for my newsletter and you will receive it in the welcome email.
How do you celebrate your birthday? I hope that whatever you do this year on your birthday, you make time to celebrate yourself and give yourself the best birthday you've ever had.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this article and found something to take away with you.
For holistic self-care tips every Sunday afternoon, you can sign up for the Dwell in Magic weekly newsletter.
With love,
Jessica
Jessica Dimas is the author of Self-Care for Moms Guide + Worksheet Bundle.
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Camilla
Wow, thank you for this beautiful post. Now I can't wait for my birthday!
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Camilla! I hope you enjoy your birthday and celebrate yourself properly! 🙂 xo Jessica
Amanda
I found this just in time! My birthday is coming up on the 30th! Thank you, I'm looking forward to 35 now! 😆
Jessica Dimas
Yay!! Hope you had a wonderful birthday. 35 is an awesome age!
Jessica
What a lovely idea. I bought Simple Abundance last year because of your suggestion. It's a beautiful book and I enjoy reading it often. I just turned 32 on the 10th. I spent my birthday taking care of my four children and husband who were all sick with a yucky stomach bug. The next day, when they were feeling good enough to celebrate my birthday, I was sick! Some how I don't feel the loss of not celebrating. When I felt better I took some quite time for reflection and did a birthday spread with my new tarot cards (I'm just learning and am having so much fun). According to my cards I'm doing very well in life and my new year looks bright. I am an incurable optimist and my cards always reflect that part of me 🙂 Thank you for this wonderful article and words of encouragement.
Jessica Dimas
Your comment made me smile, Jessica. I love that despite everyone being sick on your birthday, and then you being the sick afterwards still didn't get you down. I'm glad you were able to take some time for yourself and also I'm SUPER interested in tarot cards. You're the second person to mention them to me today. I think I'm meant to get some, they sound so fun! Thank you for your comment, and happy belated birthday 🙂 xo Jessica
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles
This is so awesome! I am definitely someone who looks forward to celebrating my birthday every year (my husband thinks that's silly haha), so I love this idea! I have never bought myself a present, but I think this year I will! And happy birthday to you!!!
Jessica Dimas
That's so awesome Chelsea, you'll definitely love this then, it's like taking it to the next notch haha! And yes, I also have never bought myself a gift like this, very deliberate and then wrapped it for myself. It felt really special and slightly transformative 🙂 Thank you for commenting xo
Karina
I love this idea! Thank you for sharing! Now I can’t wait for my birthday! Greetings from Argentina
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Karina, I hope you have a very special and happy birthday this year! Thank you for commenting! xo Jessica
Ali | PunchDrunkSoul
Omg - this sounds and looks so amazing! I am a total bath-aholic but adding all of these other special elements like lighting candles for each year and looking through old pictures to celebrate your life just sounds so perfect. I love planning a whole day for myself and spoiling myself but I've never considered doing it for my birthday! This year I am SO doing this. Thank you for sharing these tips! Wonderful, I can't wait! <3
Jessica Dimas
Yessss, all of these extra little things made it all so special. I loved the candle and photos idea, it was a very unique experience and I can't wait to do it again next year. I hope you have a wonderful birthday this year! Thank you for commenting! xo Jessica
Ally
My birthday just passed, dangit! I might have to do a "2 weeks later" ritual as I don't want to wait a whole year to partake 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Dimas
Valentine's day would be a perfect day to do it as well! 🙂 And I think any day is a good day to celebrate yourself, honestly. I may have to do this a few more times this year, haha! Thank you for your comment, xo
Jenny
Jessica,
My birthday is coming up in 2 weeks and this is just awesome! I plan to do this for my birthday this year.
I am also usually alone and never get a Valentine anymore so I decided to show myself some love on Valentine's day and just ordered Heart Thoughts. I thought that would be such an appropriate book for the day and gift to myself!
Jenny
Jessica Dimas
I know this response is late but I hope you had an amazing birthday!! And I love your idea for Valentine's, that book is so appropriate. I think that book is one of my favorite book purchases, I read a page every single morning. Thank you for leaving your inspiring comment! xo
Docque
Hey. Jus what i need. Tomorrow is my birthday. Honestly been stressing about it, thinking this year been a total waste coz it honestly feels like i haven't achieved anything. Reading on the giver of good.? Have more to celebrate and look upon to.
Thank You
Sending you Love and Light
Jessica Dimas
Hope you had a wonderful birthday with yourself <3
Betsy
Love this! I've been reading Simple Abundance for over 15 years and somehow this part never stuck out to me. Thanks so much for the inspiration. I can't wait for my birthday. (The big 4-0!) 🙂
Jessica Dimas
I swear new things stick out to me all the time with that book. That's exciting, you should definitely try her birthday self-care ritual this year. I know I'll never go another birthday without it 🙂
Lisa
Thank you for this Jessica! My birthday is later this week and I'm going to try a few of your ideas! I love the idea of new pjs and lighting a candle for each year. I believe our birth day is such a spiritual day and one that should be revered and honored. The past few years I've focused on being grateful for myself being alive and doing activities I love. This takes it to another level!!
And I adore the Dream, Hope, Love book pictured! I couldn't find it in any of the links. Is that a journal??
Many Blessings,
Lisa
Jessica Dimas
I hope you had an amazing birthday and tried a few of the ideas! I agree, I really do feel like a our birth day should be honored and made to feel like a sacred day. It really does take it to another level feeling that gratitude for your life and focusing on what you love. I won't go another birthday without doing this!
And that Dream, Hope, Love journal was something I found at Home Goods! I tried finding it on Amazon so I could link it but I couldn't find it.
Thank you for your comment xo
Love and gratitude
Kerridwen Niner
Another great read. Last year myself and two friends, a mother and daughter who are equally 10yrs either side of me went for afternoon tea and it was lovely. Invariably all three of us feel disappointed after our birthdays but I think this plan worked for us together so this July/Aug I think we must make hay 🙂
Kristina
Woow!!! Thank you!!!! I've been crying and crying about my upcoming 30th birthday. Now I know what I have to dö - give myself all the love I want <3
Amanda
I love this idea so much. Today I turned 29. This year has been filled with so much growth, pain, new relationships and a a new pregnancy. I’m trying to reflect on everything and love this idea of lighting the candles, the bath and getting the gift 🎁.
Thank you!!
Victoria
Such a great idea! My birthday just passed but I plan to do this and let others know about it!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, you should! <3
Amilee
I’m turning 33 today and I feel like this was just great timing foe this to show up in my life,