I will be turning 30th in the next two months. Not really upset or scared about aging, but Im starting to feel down on myself when my wife, mom and dad ask about what I want for a party.
My wife turned 30 a few months ago and we rented a community center room for a few hours, fed everyone there dinner, hung out and then went out for drinks. That was pretty fine, but I’m dreading my own party.
I’ve lost contact with most of my friends over the last few years, but I try to not let it bother me. I’ll check in with 2 buddies once or twice a year to make sure they are ok and that’s pretty much it.
I am starting to feel like a loser for not having any friends though. I understand people don’t have as much time for friends as they get older, but after my 21st sucked, I tried to set a goal of making my 30th better with people I want to be around. Flash forward 9 years and I have no one to invite besides my immediate family and in laws
I’m trying not to say “truthfully I don’t care” as I wouldn’t make this post if it was true, but I’m leaning that way. Both of my parents just did their 50th and was a huge party both times. My wife had a bunch of people at hers. I am feeling like a loser having no one to ask, and like I’m going to poach my wife’s friend group if I want to fill the roster.
It’s such a weird feeling. I already feel exhausted keeping up with the small group of people I do talk too, but also feel like I failed because of some arbitrary rules/goal I set for myself 9 years ago. I am more than happy with my current life and this really never bothers me besides “landmark” life events. Last time I felt like this was planning my bachelor party when I realized I had no one to do anything with, but just took a weekend trip by myself to walk around a state park for a day or two.
Sorry for the rambling, I just feel off/weird about this whole thing. I don’t really ever feel the need for more friends, but when I have to do milestone events, I realize I’m really lacking in that area. Anyone else in the same boat or was like this before?
I used to be like you, thinking there was nothing special about a birthday and not wanting a party. But, if you flip it around, the party isn’t really about you ironically. It’s about those you care about actually wanting to celebrate you, and that’s a pretty special thing in my book. Who cares how many, there are people who love you who want to make you feel special, and it makes them feel good throwing something, so just have a good time.
Now, if you don’t want a big thing, then just be honest with them. Something as simple as “I really do appreciate the thought, but honestly I would have just as much fun going to <<your favorite restaurant>> and sharing a glass of wine with you all.” Let them know how they can make it special for you, and then just have a good evening. Find something you enjoy like that that they’ll feel good treating you, and enjoy the people who love you :)
That’s how I am looking at it tbh. I just want the people I care about to all be in the same room, have a nice meal and not make a big deal. We just had a slumber party at my wife’s parents house with her siblings this weekend and those are always so fun. I don’t understand why there is the pressure to do it big when everyone knows I’m a person who likes smaller, intimate get togethers.
I feel like most of it is everyone knows I’m trying to get better from my codependency and saying it’s my day to do whatever I want, but what I want is simple.
Yeah I’ve learned that it’s usually someone just trying to do their best, so if you know who is pushing for the large thing, when you are describing what you want give them something they can focus on. Like for your slumber party adding in “<<Person>> if you can make that <<dish you really like>>, that would make it really special”, then they have an outlet to pour their effort, and you get something tasty!
It’s not just you. That pretty much is your thirties. Most of the people I know in their 20’s (at least their early 20’s) are still making a point to hang out. Most of the guys over 60 are playing golf or getting a beer.
And then there’s my group: the ones who are working at their job all day, working at the endless list of projects around the house in the evenings, and spending the few spare moments they have in between with their family.
Sometimes I think maybe it would be nice to have more actual friends. But it doesn’t really bother me that I don’t. I’m pretty busy being a husband and a dad and everything in between and I’m happy with where I’m at right now. I know the way things are now is not permanent and nothing is set in stone.
On another note, the 30’s are good times. My favorite decade so far. Not always fun, but still good.
I have not had a birthday party in 31 years. I really would like one again.
Last one I had was when I turned 21. Which was great, but yea I’ve been lucky to get a dinner out since then.
I have not liked birthdays in adulthood and im not even sure if I ever like them all that much. I think I have to go back to when they were about possible toys.
What you really want is to just be like “fuck it” and 4 of you all or less just fly to Vegas for the weekend and do dumb stuff.
Well, take advantage of the group being small and go do something you enjoy and take them all, it can be an outdoor activity, an amusement park, museum, something you like and im sure the people will also like the experience. Take a small cake just to blow the candles and have a good time with all the people you care about. Don’t compare yourself to others, do it in a way you enjoy and share it with who matters.
Nope.
It’s just another day. I take myself out to do things all the time, and that’s party enough.
My 40th is in 2 days and my wife has been bugging me for gift ideas and activity ideas. All I wanted (and what’s happening) is a dinner at a restaurant with my wife. She surprised me with a small surprise birthday dinner there early on in our dating and it’s my favorite thing to do for my birthday.
My birthdays have always been more low key, family and close friends only most of the time. I have always preferred it that way. If I wanted to party with my friends, we’d just go party because we wanted to, not necessarily because it was someone’s birthday.
I threw an end of summer BBQ and invited a bunch of friends and family. I didn’t sweat who could make it or not, it was just great to see a bunch of friends. I didn’t even mention it was the day after my birthday.
Point is you may be too old for a birthday party, but you’re never too old to hang out with friends.
when my wife, mom and dad ask about what I want for a party
Tell them what you want for your birthday, even if it’s ‘something quiet and small’ or anything along those lines, give them time to respect your wishes. I went on a nature walk with my wife for my 40th, blew the minds of my super-extroverted in-laws, but hey, that’s me, who I am.
When people start assuming you’d want something even though you don’t, might make you feel obligated to do that something, might make you feel weird for not wanting to, but you’re you and they might be having a hard time wrapping their head around it (might ask you ‘really’ multiple times), but do you and they’ll respect it
No apologies needed, it’s been playing in my head once a week for the last few months
Maybe you have to ask yourself if it really matters that much to you, to host a party and do stuff your relevant others do. Sometimes when you actually feel better with having the life you have maybe thats a good thing. Often times the feeling of not being the person you think you should be makes you feel worse than just being true to yourself. Do what makes you happy, even if that doesn‘t satisfy the wishes of your 21 y/o self :)
