7 Things to Do If Your Family and Friends Forgot Your Birthday (and Why)

It’s your birthday! But everyone, including your friends and family, forgot about it. You may start to wonder, ‘What should you do if your loved ones forget your birthday? Does it mean they don’t love or care about you?’

Nearly all of us love our birthdays. It is a special day where the spotlight is on us as our family and friends celebrate our existence with words and actions that show us how much they love us. Or so we think it should be.

Though we may hope that our special day is just as important to everyone else close to us, it may not be, and your family (even your parents), romantic partner, and friends could forget your birthday for various reasons, some innocent, others malicious.

Your special day might be just another normal day of the week for them.

If someone forgot your birthday this year and you are wondering what to do or what it means, this post is for you! We shall go over some of the best things to do if your family and friends forgot your birthday and how you can still celebrate this special day and have fun by yourself or with others.

But first, why would your loved ones forget your birthday? Read on…

9 Reasons Why Your Friends and Family Forgot Your Birthday

They were preoccupied with other things

Perhaps your friends and family forgot your birthday for non-malicious reasons. It could be because life simply got in the way, and they were busy or stressed about other things, thus failed to set a reminder, get a gift, or plan anything for your special day.

You’re no longer a child

One of the reasons why your loved ones forgot your birthday may be that they thought that since you are getting older and are probably an adult now, your birthday is not as special to you as it was when you were a kid. Hence, they didn’t plan for it or acknowledge it.

They don’t care about birthdays

Maybe your family and friends forgot your birthday because they don’t place the same importance to birthdays as you do. If their own birthdays don’t mean much to them, why should they care about yours?

They are bad with days and dates

One of the reasons why your loved ones may forget your birthday is that they are bad at keeping track of days and dates. It is especially common for people to become forgetful as they age.

You are not close anymore

Are you still close to your childhood friends? Do you still talk to your high school or college best friend? The reason for someone ‘forgetting’ your birthday could be that you are not as close as you used to be. They may remember it but feel awkward wishing you a happy birthday when you haven’t spoken or met up in a long time.

They don’t care about you

The most hurtful reason why your family and friends forgot your birthday is that they just don’t care enough or at all about you to know or remember when your special day is.

Your birthday overlaps with holidays or events

Maybe your birthday is on Christmas Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or New Year’s. Or, perhaps, your birthday falls on the same day as someone’s special day like an anniversary or other loved ones’ birthdays. Your family and friends may not remember your birthday because it overlaps with holidays or other important events.

It’s the perfect excuse

Your supposed ‘loved ones’ may conveniently forget your birthday to avoid having to get you a gift or plan anything. They’ll have an excuse for not doing anything to celebrate you if you remind them it’s your birthday.

They are playing tit for tat

You are upset that everyone forgot your birthday; but do you usually remember theirs? The reason why your family and friends may ‘forget’ your birthday can be that they are paying you back for forgetting theirs.

7 Best Things to Do If Your Family and Friends Forgot Your Birthday

Remind them

Your loved ones may have simply forgot what day and date it is. Others may not know the exact date of your birthday.

One of the best things to do if your friends and family forgot your birthday is to tell or remind them what day today is and explain to them why it is important to you.

Even if they don’t have time to get you a gift or plan a birthday party that same day, you will likely receive birthday wishes, hugs, and special treatment now that they remember it is your birthday.

Celebrate by yourself

If your friends and family forgot it’s your birthday, you don’t have to feel hurt or spend the day wallowing in self-pity. You also don’t have to inform them what day it is if you don’t want to.

After all, if you are important to them, your family, significant other, and friends should remember your birthday without you having to remind them.

If your friends and family forgot your birthday, one of the best things to do is to celebrate this special day alone doing things that make you happy. For instance, if it is on a weekday, take a day off work, spend time doing your hobbies, pamper yourself, take yourself out on a date, go on a birthday trip/getaway, or do anything else that adds to your happiness.

Remember to buy yourself a gift and a birthday cake to eat all by yourself. The good thing about everyone forgetting your birthday is that you don’t have to share the cake or participate in activities you don’t like.

Embrace your emotions and manage them

It can suck if everyone, especially your loved ones, forgot your birthday. You may even start having negative thoughts about yourself or them, especially if they always remember other’s birthdays and go out of their way to make them feel loved.

If you are feeling sad, jealous, ignored, or angry that the people close to you forgot your birthday, remember it is okay to not be okay.

It’s normal to be upset that your loved ones didn’t remember your birthday. So, embrace your negative emotions. But don’t let them ruin your entire day.

Finding a way to manage or keep negative thoughts at bay is one of the best things to do if your family and friends forgot your birthday. You could practice affirmations to remind yourself of your worth, stay busy doing the things you enjoy, practice meditation, avoid comparing your birthday to others, write down your feelings, and practice gratitude for getting the opportunity to grow older.

You can also talk to a therapist or other loved ones for emotional support.

Celebrate with those who remembered

Perhaps NOT ALL your friends and family members forgot your birthday. Some remembered and sent you birthday wishes, cards, and gifts or even planned a party.

One of the best things to do if some of your friends and family forgot your birthday is to be grateful for and celebrate with the loved ones who remembered. Focusing on people who likely don’t care about you will only steal your joy on your birthday.

Appreciate and have fun with those who remembered; they won’t always be around. Their loving birthday messages, presents, and time spent together are gifts you should treasure.

Reciprocate on their birthday

Some people may pretend to forget your birthday in order to hurt your feelings or avoid getting you anything. Others simply don’t care enough about you to keep your special day in mind.

One of the best things to do if your friends and family forgot your birthday is to reciprocate the energy when their birthdays come around. If people show you that you aren’t that important to them by conveniently forgetting your birthday, it is time to start matching their energy, effort, and feelings.

Put some distance between you and them, and stop being too nice and caring for people who don’t care about you. Don’t go out of your way to make plans, buy gifts, or send birthday wishes to people who don’t do the same for you.

If your family and friends always forget your birthday, re-arrange your list of loved ones so that you stop considering them as your closest. Try to form new friendships with people who reciprocate your efforts and feelings.

Check in on your loved ones

You may want to be the main character in your family and friends’ lives on your birthday, but this day doesn’t have to be all about you.

Your birthday is one of the days when you expect, at the very least, a happy birthday wish from your loved ones. But if your family and friends forgot your birthday, don’t be in a rush to assume that they don’t care or to conveniently forget theirs.

Someone could forget your birthday because there are other things going on in their life you aren’t aware of. If you are not on bad terms with them or they have never forgotten your birthday, one of the best things to do is to check in on that family member or friend to see if they are okay.

They could be in need of any of the different types of support, and your call may be timely. Instead of just getting a happy birthday wish or an apology from your loved ones, you will get to catch up with them and help them as well.

Understand them

Maybe your parents and grandparents are getting old and forgetful. Other loved ones could be ill or stressed about other things, and thus, your birthday is not a priority to them right now.

Depending on the situation, you can be understanding when your family and friends forget your birthday. Instead of holding grudges or feeling hurt that your loved ones forgot your birthday, you can choose to remind them what day it is or just let them be.

If they remember at a later date, say thank you. You don’t have to make them feel guilty for innocently forgetting. Instead, be grateful that they thought of you in the middle of the challenges they are going through.

Wrapping Up

You now know what you should do if your friends, significant other, and family forgot your birthday. Sure, it sucks that they didn’t remember about your special day. But this doesn’t have to ruin your birthday.

Celebrating alone, reminding them, reciprocating the same energy, showing concern, and embracing your emotions are some of the best things to do if your family and friends forgot your birthday.

Remember that, since everyone forgot about your birthday, you don’t have to engage in activities you don’t like or interact with people you would rather not interact with like you probably would if they had made plans such as a party or family get-together in your honor. It’s your day to spend however you want!

When no one else cares, you have to care for yourself. You can still have a lot of fun by yourself or with those who remembered your birthday.

If today is your special day and no one remembers, “Happy Birthday!” from Aisles of Life!

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Read more articles from Aisles of Life here.

9 Reasons Why Your Friends and Family Forgot Your Birthday

7 Best Things to Do If Your Family and Friends Forgot Your Birthday

Wrapping Up

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