So you've found yourself with an upcoming birthday, but the COVID cases are still on the rise, the vaccination rate is low, and everywhere is locked up while we're all on a stay at home order huh?
✨Samesies.✨
I had the pleasure of celebrating my 24th birthday during lockdown, which was strange, but still something to say the least.
It's so weird because for my 23rd birthday back in 2020, I celebrated my birthday with some friends the same weekend which was RIGHT BEFORE the panic around the COVID-19 pandemic had reached it's peak, and York had announced they were moving the entire remainder of the academic semester online.
Fast forward 365 days later, little to no improvements, which meant it was about to be a zoom birthday.
I remember watching everyone have to change around birthday plans following the lockdowns that came in late March-early April 2020, and I was never really sure if I would get a turn, but as luck would have it, I got to partake in some zoom festivities myself.
At the same time, I've never been one to do big celebrations for my birthday. Celebrating my birthday is always like a weird time for me.
My circle is super small, at least my close friends circle, and trying to do something was always a bag of stress.
However, celebrating my birthday this year was some of the easiest planning I've ever had to do.
Given that the only way I could really celebrate was online, I decided to have a games night, family feud type lime (Trini term meaning to hang out).
The best part was that it allowed me to celebrate my birthday not only with some of the friends I'd made here in Toronto, but so too, being online meant that my best friends from back home were also able to join in, which made it one of the best birthday's I've had in years.
It was really easy to find a virtual game package. The options are endless on Etsy, and would run you no more than $30CAD depending on how lavish of a game package you were looking for.
I was able to find a family feud template with the entire game (created to be adapted to Microsoft PowerPoint) that included easy to follow instructions, and even let you customize the questions and answers if you so desired.
Tap here if you'd like to see the one I bought back in early March:
The total was around $18.00CAD which I think was pretty good, and it comes with 50 already created rounds, but like I said, you can easily customize it.
Sending out invites for my birthday was also just as easy, because all it took was reaching out to everyone, sending them the zoom link if they could make it, sending another reminder close to the day, and then opening up the zoom session on the day itself.
Getting ready was quick, simple, I still tried to look a little cute, but it was such a nice vibe. I know people don't always like to see their friend groups mixing, but it was so so nice to see my chosen family coming together and having so much fun playing some Family feud. I was the Steve Harvey of the night, things got super competitive, we had some laughs.
My two best friends from way back when, like 1829, from since primary school days (who even signed onto the call earlier than everyone else to wish my happy birthday first) even prepared their own mini presentation on me, and it was so unexpected, but hilarious, and it was honestly the most I've smiled in such a long time since we got into this whole global pandemic nightmare in the first place.
The extent to which digital measures have evolved, that made it possible to have some of the people I love the most in one virtual room, it really was amazing.
To the people who enjoy the big lavish birthday celebrations, or even those upset that they can't celebrate their birthday in person, the virtual world gives you so many additional ways of getting those you cherish most, together, to celebrate you and your day.
While the virtual side of things can't always compare to in-person, you still get to celebrate if everyone is able to access to the software you decide to choose, so if you're thinking about cancelling those birthday celebrations because of the lockdowns and/or safety restrictions don't!
There are still ways to celebrate, while still keeping everyone safe.
I did a few extra things too, like order some custom cupcakes from my friend's business, you already know some of the best cakes in Toronto @MangeCupcakes, and as you can see below, she did NOT disappoint!
I even went so far as to do a little birthday photoshoot with one of my best friends, since I'd never really done a solo photoshoot before.
Got myself a nice lil wig and did my makeup, hair and nails myself since all those personal care businesses have been closed.
We couldn't go to a studio, so instead, we turned my apartment into the studio with some props.
I'm not super comfortable with photoshoots, but I told myself why not, and it ended up being a great gift, and the pictures came out so nice, I couldn't even recognize myself!
Shout out to the photographer himself @Forthesakeoflenses on Instagram.
Here's a look at some of my favourite photos from my first ever solo, and first ever photoshoot.
Is it time for me to be signed to an agency yet? 🤪
My actual birthday itself was on a Monday and I had a shift that day too, but I was full with so much love from over the weekend it didn't even matter.
Spent the day after work sending a million and one thank yous, and I also tried ordering some takeout from a restaurant, but it didn't taste that good, and I probably would've been happier ordering some McDonalds that day but hey, you live and you learn.
Paired with a check in from one of my best friends, it was a pretty nice day to turn 24.
Even my sister, who usually posts up the worst pictures of me on my birthday actually posted something where I looked nice for the first time!
Then after I said thank you for that she proceeded to post the ugly ones, but that's my sister for you.
I do strongly believe my perspective has changed a lot while living through this whole global pandemic and everything that comes with it.
You can't just accept defeat and disappointment in a way that wrecks your entire day with things like cancelled plans, or just those things in general you were looking forward to that you can't do now for the sake of maintaining your safety and that of others.
It's unfortunate, but the reality is, that's the world we're living in right now as we continue trying to tackle COVID-19 and returning to an essence of normalcy.
Your safety and everyone else's has to be a priority at all times, above all other things.
I've learned that there are always options. Safe alternatives.
Fun ones that can still contribute to any celebration, so take it upon yourself to still try and celebrate, still have fun, make those memories, and ring in those birthdays, because life during a pandemic is not easy, and in general tomorrow isn't promised, so celebrate getting a little older, a little wiser, and here's to hoping by our 2022 birthdays its safe to celebrate with a group in person.
Your girl is turning 25 next year, and I want it to be a movie! (if it's safe enough to do so of course)
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