I Don’t Like Birthdays, Holidays, or Celebrations – Most of It Feels Fake Anyway

People always get weird when you say you don’t like birthdays. Like you’re broken or bitter. But for me, it’s never been about sadness or neglect. I just don’t care to celebrate things that don’t hold real meaning to me. I’ve never been the “look at me” type. I don’t need the attention. And honestly, I don’t even believe the calendar we base birthdays on is accurate. Who decided this structure? Who gave “a year” value? We follow this system like it’s universal truth, but it’s just something we’ve been taught to believe without question. I’m supposed to feel excited because a certain number flipped? I can’t fake hype for something I don’t believe in at the core.

Birthdays in particular feel more like a performance than a celebration. You’re expected to smile, do something big, let people show up, accept gifts, and post about it like you’re soaking it all in. But the truth is, I don’t feel any different. The world didn’t shift. My mindset didn’t suddenly evolve because a date came around. If anything, I just want peace. Quiet. A regular day without expectations. It’s not sadness—it’s just preference. I don't like being perceived, and birthdays come with way too much attention. People expect you to bask in it. But I don't want to be in the spotlight just for existing another day.

Now holidays? That’s a whole different beast. My issue with holidays runs even deeper. To me, most of them are just systems designed to get your money. Buy the food, buy the gifts, buy the outfits, buy the decorations. It’s marketing disguised as meaning. These companies don't care about your tradition—they care about your dollars. And somehow, we all just go along with it. Every month, there’s another reason to spend. Another day we’re told to care about more than usual, just because someone declared it was special. But special to who? Based on what?

Most of the time, the things people celebrate don’t even feel important. “It’s my dog’s half-birthday!” “It’s the anniversary of our first date to Target!” “It’s taco Tuesday with a twist!” Everything turns into a photo op. A reason to be seen. But what are we really celebrating? Surviving? Doing something you do every day? I’m not knocking joy—but I do question forced enthusiasm. I’m not going to pretend something is monumental just because everyone else is excited about it. I don’t get moved by groupthink. I need depth. I need purpose.

I could understand celebration if it was tied to something impactful. Like helping someone walk again. Changing the direction of someone’s life. Pulling somebody out of poverty. Breaking generational cycles. That deserves recognition. That’s real. But most of what people hype up is surface-level. Mediocre accomplishments that get overblown because people want something to post about or talk about. That’s not my energy. I don’t feed into performative hype. I’m not anti-happiness—I just don’t like the forced kind.

So no, I don’t care for birthdays. I don’t care for holidays. I don’t care for celebrations that lack weight. If it’s meaningful to you, cool. But don’t expect me to fake it just to keep up appearances. I live for purpose, not parties. And I won’t pretend something matters to me just because the world says it should.