In the United States, where various holidays such as Thanksgiving are occasions for inevitable family gatherings, few people admit that in reality They would prefer not to celebrate their own birthday.
Psychology explains that this aversion can be related to various internal factors. When you get a year older, you usually begin a life review that isn’t always pleasant.
Many people experience anxiety when evaluating their achievements, unfulfilled goals, or perception of the passage of time, which can translate into sadness, stress, or frustration.
But it is also true that many families due to different social guidelines Children’s birthdays are not particularly celebrated. And those who grow up without expected gifts or celebrations tend to distance themselves from those celebrations when they start their own families.
Particularly for older adults, birthdays remind us of mortality and aging, topics that are often taboo in American society, a culture that values youth and appearance like few others in the world.
Finally, social networks (Facebook can remind your network of friends of the exact date of your birthday and days before it) They put additional pressure on the family. Seeing “perfect birthday photos,” even if they are completely unrelated, can have a negative impact on some people.
Children and young peoplewith a long life expectancy ahead of them, live their birthday as One of the most anticipated moments of the year. However, a story of celebrations that ended up being unhappy or loving can leave a mark and make an adult prefer to spend their own birthday alone.
Some psychologists also say that avoiding partying can be a sign of this inner maturity or a process of personal growth.
The person does not seek external validation or social recognition, but prefers moments of introspection, silence and connection with oneself. This would reveal the need Renew or rethink the meaning of the personal anniversary.
Among the main psychological factors of people who avoid their birthdays, psychology points out the following:
So it can be said that the decision to avoid the birthday party is a complex phenomenon of different origins that American psychology looks at from different perspectives.
Understanding these factors allows us to offer a more empathetic and non-judgmental view to those who would prefer to experience this date differently and respect their emotions and psychological needs.
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