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Before thepandemic, it wasnt as difficult to think of things to do alone on your birthday.
Jena Ardell/Getty Images
You at least had more options to make the day feel special.
Now, though, options are limited.
Believe me, I know.
I couldnt take myself to dinner and a movie.
I couldnt treat myself to a massage.
I couldnt find a cheap Airbnb in upstate New York to run away to for a weekend.
Have a good ol fashioned movie (or TV) marathon.
Is there a greater simple pleasure than thebinge-watch?
Just verify to wear your coziest sweats and stock up on snacks.
Ask friends and loved ones to send you things to pass the time.
Just small, low-pressure things that will help you feel less alone.
Get a virtual birth chart reading.
If you need help finding an astrologerespecially an affordable onesocial media is definitely your friend.
Facebook groups, Twitter, and Instagram are full of astrologers who offer chart readings.
Get a virtual tarot readingor do one yourself.
(If youre a tarot enthusiast yourself, might I suggest doingthis 12-card birthday spreadon your own too?)
Participate in a cool virtual experience.
Trythe Louvre,the Vatican,the Met, orthe San Diego Zoo.
Sites likeSkillshareandCreative Livehave creative classes that will keep you busy and teach you something new.
Have a cozy read-a-thon.
Its time to re-create that magic as an adult.
Whip up a bar-worthy fancy cocktail or mocktail.
Some of the virtual experiences above include cocktail-making courses and demonstrations if you need some inspiration.
But the internet is also filled with recipes, so youll never lack ideas.
Go down memory lane of old birthdays.
Go through old Facebook albums or search for your birthdate on your phones photo gallery.
Hell, maybe even go through old photo albums if you have them toreallythrow it back.
Theres nothing quite like an embarrassing kids birthday party.
Bake yourself a damn birthday cake (or dessert of your choosing).
Theres something soothing about baking.
If youre not the most experienced baker, go easy on yourself.
A boxed starter isfine.
As is choosing aridiculously easy recipe.
Journal about your year.
Spend some time in nature.
As the saying goes, nature nurtures.
Go for a long walk orhike, or find a beautiful place to lounge all day.
Whatever you decide, dont hurry yourself.
Do some aimless online shopping.
I know that treat yourself to something nice seems too obvious to include, but hear me out.
For me, at least, there hasnt been a ton offunshoppingamid this pandemic.
So for my birthday I gave myself a budget and decided to just…browse.
No goal in mind.
Just clicking through my favorite stores and slamming add to cart whenever something struck my fancy.
Listen, just because you cant throw a big rowdy party doesnt mean you cant decorate foryourself.
Chances are youve been stuck inside a lot more than you prefer lately.
Plus, leaving the decorations up for a few days (or weeks) keeps the party going.
