it has been only the start of the new year and my Facebook, Instagram, Twitter feeds have been flooded by heaps of pictures showing the January babies celebrating their 21st birthday. yes, i am old, i get reminded by them that i will be turning 21 too in half a year's time.
people love to say 21 is a big thing. it signifies adulthood and independence, the start of the end of rebellious and ignorant youth, the start of real adult life, the beginning of the taste of the real society. responsibilities, pressure, freedom are up couple of folds.
nonetheless, the main thing i want to say today is not talking about the noble number but rather, taking the chance to say i'm not a big birthday person. i chose now to say out in words probably because of two reasons: i am smarter than the last 20 years to put in proper words and i am using the big excitement of my peers turning 21.
so, don't get me wrong, i don't condemn celebrations but rather having being asked many times why i would not like to host a big party when i turn 21, i feel the need to voice my opinions.
the first reason will be the hassle to entertain guests of my birthday party. the last time i had a party, i had different groups of friends and my extended family coming over to celebrate. as you can imagine, i had to really keep talking and moving around now and then. i can't really enjoy much. furthermore, it is my birthday party but it somehow seemed that the guests enjoy more than the birthday boy. older now, there are more groups of friends so more time for guests less time for me. too much a hassle and trouble entertaining.
the second reason will be i prefer hanging out with those i truly love. having big crowds do not mean i love all of them really much. more often than not, it is a social moral obligation to host people whom you clique with throughout the last twenty odd years. however, i prefer having really close friends, family, friends who are like brothers and sisters around me anytime. i don't know.. maybe i am just not that good with a big crowd. you might find me weird that way.
the third reason will be the stress and trouble one faces whenever planning for a party. i've planned for numerous meet-ups and what not and at times they can be tricky. think about planning a party.. the cost, the venue, the people, the accessibility, the date/time. for cost, cannot be too cheap or too expensive. for venue and accessibility, must be easy for those taking public transport. well you can figure the rest on your own. so yeah.. for me they are too much for one me.
the fourth reason will be that birthday is all about the person. so i personally don't really like parties for the obvious reasons as mentioned earlier. i won't be pressured to host big parties or what not and invite all the friends i have for a night of drinks and party. i prefer the less noisy approach and the one where i can spend more time enjoying than to stress about the preparations and spending too much time entertaining others.
so yeah, there you have it, my views on my own birthday. in fact, these reasons apply to me every year. i wrote this year because i agree with what society thinks about one thing.. that is turning 21 is a milestone. so cheers to those who just turned and will be turning 21 in the year 2014.
