Another from @ay.amarant, with over 1.2 million views, features text that reads, “I feel like the saddest person during my birthdays… I am drowning in tears and anxieties for no reason.”
Similarly, @aannaaoliviaa’s TikTok on birthday blues, which sees the creator curling her hair while audio repeats, “Don’t f**king cry” has amassed over 1.5 million views.
All this is to say, something seems to be seriously up with our special days.
So what’s going on with our birthdays?
According to the experts, several factors may influence the likelihood of experiencing ‘birthday blues’ including the following:
Fear of death/ageing.
“Birthdays can elicit a sense of dread around ageing or getting older, which is often really just worrying about death and coming closer to it each year,” Rachael Walden, Registered Psychologist, The Bondi Psychologist, tells Mamamia.
Unrealistic expectations.
“Some people have high expectations for their birthdays, anticipating that it will be a perfect day, filled with happiness and meaningful interactions. When reality doesn’t align with these expectations, this can lead to feelings of disappointment,” says Sally.
Existential stock-taking.
“Sometimes ‘birthday blues’ are about not feeling like the preceding year has been ‘good’ or you’re not proud of what you’ve achieved or where you are in life. Birthdays are milestones for many people and a chance to check in and reflect and if we don’t like what we see, it can make us feel down, ashamed, judgemental of ourselves, anxious or despairing,” says Rachael.