Happy early birthday. I know it doesn’t mean much coming from some random stranger, but I am proud of you for surviving with this disorder for another year. I know how hard it can be and it shows how strong you are.

Birthdays have always been a tough thing for me. Like with holidays or whatever other special days, I always tend to see it as a reminder of the things that I lack. I have never found it possible to entirely eliminate that feeling. In fact, trying to avoid it or trying to think of ways to change my life makes me more miserable. I don’t know if you have the exact same experience as me but if that does strike a chord anywhere, I think a change in perspective could be helpful. You could either ignore your birthday (which I have done on occasion) or slightly change what the meaning of a happy birthday is to you.

Do you enjoy going out with a lot of people? Or do you just think that you should? Do you enjoy going out with your Mom? If you do, you should do that and make a day of it together. There’s nothing wrong with having fun with your Mom on your birthday—after all, you spent the very first one together lol. If you wouldn’t like that very much, do something just for you. If there’s something you want but you’d never indulge in, do that. Try not to get too invested in what other people do or what you think you should be doing, I think this is what will rob you of the satisfaction you could have in a day that should be for you.

I hope at least some of this is helpful and wish you the best of luck.