It’s My Party & I’ll Cry If I Want To

December 20, 2007

So…it’s my Birthday today and although the title of this post may suggest that it’s a not espcially happy occasion…quite the contrary. I’m having a fabulous day thus far and I just thought I’d share a ‘feel good’ birthday ritual with y’all as it helps me celebrate another year and as I’ve mentioned here before…the more often I turn 29 (this is my 5th attempt to date) the better at it I get. Some call it denial…I call it self preservation.

The ritual is one of cleansing and renewal (and no it’s not microdermabrasion and botox) and it has 2 stages.

You’ll need 2 A4 sheets of paper, 2 pieces of string or ribbon and matches.

1. Get yourself an A4 sheet of paper and cut it into 10 strips.
2. Write down on each strip of paper the name of someone who has upset you in the past year or an occasion where you’ve felt wronged and are still bothered by it.
3. Fold each piece of paper in half, stack them together and tie with a bow.
4. Now, take the other sheet of A4 paper and cut it up in the same way.
5. Write down on each strip all the things you’re grateful for and happy about from the last year. Keep it simple…the fact you’re alive and healthy should probably be #1.
6. Again, fold them up and tie with a bow.
7. On your birthday, go somewhere (by yourself or with close supportive friends) you feel calm and happy…whether it’s by the water, in your own backyard or a local park.
8. Take out the package of grievances and sit and read them aloud (this is important) even tell a little of the story that lead up to it.
9. Then take a match to them and burn them. As you’re watching them burning think about letting go of the hurt and putting it in the past. Laugh, cry…do whatever seems appropriate at the time but don’t hold back. It wont work if you secretly hang onto anything that’s written on those little pieces of paper. You have to be prepared to say goodbye. So if you’re still in love with your ex or you’re not prepared to stop fighting with your mother-in-law…don’t write it down…save it for next year.
10. Once you’ve composed yourself, take out the list of things that have made you happy and read them aloud too. Then fold them back up again and take them home. Put them somewhere you can easily access them and read them regularly…especially if you’re having a crappy day.

Happy Birthday to anyone else who shares my birthday today December 20th. Hope you have a great day and a wonderful year.

As for the rest of you…try this on your birthday…I’ve done it for the last 5 years and it really works and it also means you get some real ‘girl time’ with your nearest and dearest…something we all need more of.