Psych Special Series - Birthdays
🧠 243/300 - Psychology behind the day you joined this planet
Psychology of Birthday
Part FOUR of Thought/Research Writing.
Context: While traveling last month, I came across this idea of writing about a few topics in psychology & give you the valuable insights of these ‘simple’ topics in our lives to help you wonder & question.
Disclaimer: This series is an attempt to understand the concepts of certain subjects through the lenses of Psychology.
These are very broader topics and hence, this is an attempt to compile the points surrounding them. Your feedback will play an integral role as always.
You may wonder why a topic like ‘Birthday’ is being discussed in regards to Psychology. The answer is, because of the associated human nature and feelings around it.
Let’s try to uncover our feelings behind the psychological aspects of ‘Birthday’.
“Birth day” is the same as the phrase means, the day of your birth. It may be of value to some people and for some, it is just another day. But what is so special about it?
Social Connection: Birthdays often involve gathering with friends and family. These social connections are crucial for our mental well-being. Celebrating with loved ones can boost feelings of belonging, happiness, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Positive Emotions: People tend to feel happier, more loved, and appreciated on their special day. These positive emotions can have a lasting impact on mental health.
Self-Reflection: Birthdays often prompt self-reflection. People may assess their achievements, goals, and life in general.
Gift-Giving and Receiving: The act of giving and receiving gifts can create feelings of joy and gratitude. It reinforces social bonds and can boost self-esteem.
Traditions and Rituals: Birthday traditions and rituals can provide a sense of structure and meaning. They offer a sense of continuity and cultural connection.
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Related: Why some people don’t like celebrating them
There are a number of reasons and some of the prominent ones could be as follows:
Social Anxiety: Individuals with social anxiety may feel uncomfortable being the center of attention during birthday celebrations. Large gatherings and the pressure to interact with others can trigger anxiety.
Negative Past Experiences: Negative past experiences related to birthdays, such as disappointments, family conflicts, or traumatic events on previous birthdays, can lead to a dislike of the occasion.
Aging Anxiety: Some people may have anxiety about getting older and view birthdays as a reminder of the aging process. This can be particularly true for milestone birthdays.
Perfectionism: People with perfectionistic tendencies may set very high expectations for their birthday celebrations. When reality falls short of these expectations, they may become disillusioned and dissatisfied.
Introversion: Introverted individuals often prefer quieter, more intimate settings. The idea of a large, loud birthday party may not align with their personality, leading to discomfort or dislike of such celebrations.
In Conclusion: Birthdays should be taken as a time to be grateful. It should be enjoyed as a special day for improving self-esteem and appreciation.