It’s my birthday today!
In the past few years, I’ve been on holiday for my birthday. In 2016, we went to Las Vegas (one of my favourite trips ever!). In 2017, we went to see the northern lights in Norway (husky sledding was even better!).
In 2018 and 2019, we had the business, and have also had two sick cats to look after, so we’re extremely tied to the house. In fact, I think we’ve been to London once for a short trip we’d booked well in advance…aaaaand that’s about it.
So this birthday was pretty quiet, but I wanted to do some fun stuff, so I organised an escape room (pirate theme!), a dessert cafe, and board gaming both at a board game cafe and at home. Hopefully we’ll also get some gaming in!
To be honest, I’m one of those people that loves birthdays. I love celebrating. I love presents. I bloody love cake.
And because of that it’s easy for me to hype up my birthday and then it’s a big let down. But lowering my expectations, especially as I get older, has really helped me to appreciate the little things more. Also, I’ve realised that if I want things to happen, I have to arrange them myself. Generally my friends are great at showing up for whatever and whenever when asked, even at short notice, so in a way that’s the hardest part done and dusted. So as long as I’ve thought about the details and planned in advance, it’s all good.
My birthday last year was probably one of the worst I’ve ever had. We were still very new to running the business, we had no money whatsoever, and I spent the night on the sofa grumbling away to myself as Joe answered tickets XD
It’s incredible how much has changed in a year. We’re both a lot more used to everything now, and although looking after two cats with heart problems is a crazy amount of work (they need to be drugged with multiple things at eight hour intervals, plus they pee a ton more so the litter tray needs a full change daily), it’s all worth it. Every month we see our little graph improve, and our customers are so lovely that it makes all the hard work worth it a million times over. I’m starting to get grey hairs and I have no idea if they’re from ageing, stress, or a little of both!
This year I’m not miserable because I want to be on holiday, or miserable because we can’t afford nice things. I’m happy that I’m having a day off to relax and be with the people and animals I care about and am so grateful for. And honestly I’m so grateful to be running my own business with my best friend, because it’s not only my birthday that’s a gift any more. I look forward to most days, purely because I’ve regained the simple pleasures and appreciation of having control over my day, being able to work from my sofa, spending way more time with people I actively want to spend time with, and growing my goals and dreams for the future.
Here’s to another year!
