5 meaningful ways to celebrate your birthday
As Common Room celebrates its 9th birthday, we think of ways on how we can do it in a meaningful way, as a sign of gratitude and growth. We recently opened Mess Studio at The Atrium in Makati not only to grow our retail stores, but we hope to also create a community space for our makers and mindful shoppers. That they can find a place to create, be inspired, or even to take a breather in the spaces we built.
For us, birthdays ought to be celebrated. It’s a time to remember that there’s only one you, that you’ve come this far and likely have overcome your share of challenges. Honor it! This doesn’t always have to mean throwing a big party. Ask yourself, what do you hold dear? What’s something you’ve always wanted to do or simply have missed doing because you haven’t found the time? What will give another year of life more meaning.
1. Something special
Let’s start with something easy: give yourself something special. No, it doesn’t have to be another trip to Japan (though it probably won’t hurt). It can be as simple as finally filing a leave from work and not opening your office email during said leave (especially if you’re attached at the hip to your work). Arrange some alone time if it’s what you miss, especially if you’re a mom with small kids. How about having a monthly (yes, monthly) birthday date with yourself where you take yourself out or allot that time to something you’ve always wanted to do?
2. What do you want to do?
The start of a new year doesn’t have to always be the time to set goals, it also makes sense to do it when it’s your birthday and you’re turning over another year. Common Room founder Maan Agsalud shares, “Your birthday is the perfect time to dream big, reflect on past messes, and set goals for the year ahead.”
In a recent interview, where she talks about resigning from her full-time advertising job and finally going full-time with Common Room and Popjunklove, Maan cites a workshop activity she had to do that asked the participants to write their lifeline on paper: ages plotted out in one long timeline with the highlights of your life included. “And then the part of the paper for the next 20 to 30 years only had a little space left. That got me thinking,” says Maan, who’s turning 40 this year. “How do I want to spend the rest of my 30 years, if I’m lucky I’ll reach 70 or 80.”
Ask yourself: What do you want to look forward to in your future? What do you want to keep prioritizing and do you allocate enough time to what you say are your top priorities? Setting goals to get you closer to that future will help you achieve it. And Maan’s small business advice to entrepreneurs and makers hold true even in other aspects of life. “It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, if you have a germ of a business idea, why don’t you start it now?” If you know what you really want to prioritize and what dream you want to make into a reality, give yourself the first few steps to take it on your birthday.
3. Unleash your creativity
Whether you’re in the creative field or not, being able to make things with your hands is good for mental health, and simply, makes you happy! And who doesn’t want to be happy on their birthday. According to Psychology Today, research has long shown that “making things promotes psychological well-being” as it helps us feel essential and effective. It’s not about how good you’ll be at it or finding your next passion project, it’s about the process and being absorbed in it that “we lose self-consciousness and pass the time in a contented state.”
We certainly hope you experience this when you sit down and craft. Mess Studio, with its crafting area equipped with tools and materials you’ll need to make craft projects (like dream catchers, paper mache vase, faux cement bottle, and more), has a space for anyone who wants to lose themselves in creating something.
Crafter and journaling enthusiast Nica Cosio finds that when she journals, crafts, or creates, it’s her time to get to tune in with herself and quiet down her mind.
4. Carve time for people who lift you up
There are many people we hold dear, but unfortunately not all of them leave us feeling uplifted. It’s your birthday, spend time with people who inspire you, who make you want to do better while making you feel you’re enough.
When Jodinand Aguillon of Glorious Dias talks about learning, he emphasizes the importance of not working alone, of having a community. Being surrounded by other makers and creatives, not only encouraged him but gave him advice. “If you want to start your own initiative or get into something you’re not [yet] into, support those who are. Support those people who are doing it to keep going so that you can be part of that.” This also applies to life in general. Who wouldn’t want to be around people whose own passions or pursuits inspire and who remain a supportive presence. While you’re at it…
5. Give thanks
Yes, it’s your birthday but nobody will stop you if you decide to express your gratitude and be the one to give gifts to the people who have made a difference in your life. It can be an afternoon spent trying together urban farming (if you’re all plantitas and plantitos), having a makeup session (with free makeup for them), or treating them to coffee and giving them a copy of a favorite book that inspired you (just as they did). Look at what binds you together and the difference they’ve made in your journey and be sure to let them know.
Even if there are times when you think you don’t deserve to celebrate your birthday, take the time to remember it. You can do it as quietly or loudly as you want, with those you hold dear or by yourself, setting goals or giving thanks, as long as it gives meaning to your special day.