I've never been a partier either but I did throw a nice one for my 50th. Usually I just like to go out to dinner with my family (if it's a "work" day) or spend the day not cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry LOL! Living in the PNW there's a lot of nature to enjoy!
I recently spent my 56th(!) with a day at the Portland Japanese Garden. I don't know if the fall colors are still in their full bloom, but what a wonderful way to enjoy a mindful walk and sit with the nature of impermanence.
David! It’s so nice to see you here. I was lucky enough to be at the Japanese Garden for the peak fall colors this year. I posted an amazing picture on Notes if you want to see. And I was rushing to get this newsletter out because I am heading to the Lan Su Chinese Garden in just a few minutes!
Honestly, one of my favourite birthday celebrations? A solo vacation. I found a little cabin, brought my favourite foods, a ton of books and journals. Stayed for a night or two. Bliss.
A little getaway with one or two friends that can include a massage and spa fun and lunch or dinner is a great way to celebrate. If you plan ahead a concert you like to go to or jazz club outing is also a great way to enjoy a night and celebrate.
If you can spend money, I would take a trip to a warm relaxing tropical place.
One of the best things I **EVER** did for my birthday was a couple of years ago, where I had a Netflix Watch Party of Dirty Dancing with friends all over the world. There were only 6 of us in the end and it was SO FUN!! Highly recommend doing this!!
First, happy birthday from one November baby (11.14) to another. I just celebrated my 59th birthday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I checked off a bucket list item ✅️: hot air balloon ride🎈 . Fantastic way to end my 50s and prepare for my next decade of life. I almost always take a solo trip away - even if that "only" means an AirBnB on the other side of town. Time by myself to regroup, reflect, refresh and recharge is the best way to end one year and start another. And as I always say, "me and me get along just fine".
Enjoy 55, however you choose to celebrate and have a happy and safe holiday.
No kidding, Kristina, I was just looking at Google maps, trying to figure out the drive from here to New Mexico. Happy belated birthday to you and thank you for this lovely reflection. “Me and me get along just fine” is something every human can aspire to.
Happy birthdayyyyyyy, dear Asha! I turned 55 last month and just got my first senior discount at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis! I was thrilled. I'm really glad you're here. As always, you inspire me so much. xo
As my 50th approaches, I'm not sure exactly what I will do. I tend to put off celebrations when bigger expenses are afoot (hello twins in college). If cost went out the window, I think I'd love to rent a house on a beach for a month and invite my friends to come and visit me there. Just people I love coming and going, each of us spending a little time away from our lives and sharing some time together.
Caroline! I finally watched your video and ... well, that was just remarkable. I had a grin on my face the whole time. What a truly magnificent way to celebrate. Your beachhouse idea is pretty magnificent, too.
Happy birthday, Asha! I turned 55 just three weeks before you, on Halloween. This year, my husband and I went into the city and stayed at the Westin for a night (we had a marriott voucher that was about to expire). We went for a fancy dinner, and then woke up and had fancy breakfast. Then we went home and continued the weekend as normal. It was great to just make it a bit special. The biggest thing I've ever done for a birthday was to invite 3 friends to go with me to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico for my 50th. I really wanted to mark it, and we had an amazing time. I hope you had a wonderful time marking 55.
Just to share, there was a birthday of mine that my father passed the exact day. That brought a whole new meaning to my birthday. Since then, I couldn't 'just celebrate,' you know...but somehow it made him more alive in me, even when he passed.
I’m celebrating my 50th birthday in two weeks (yay!). To mark the occasion, I’m hosting a virtual yoga class (all levels) for the women in my life and a brunch afterwards for those local. Movement, relationships, and lemon bars...things that make my life better!
My birthday was yesterday, and we did a treat crawl in Berkeley starting downtown and headed north on shattuck, hitting up all my favorite spots! A mix of tea, snacks, noodles, and dessert!
I've never been a partier either but I did throw a nice one for my 50th. Usually I just like to go out to dinner with my family (if it's a "work" day) or spend the day not cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry LOL! Living in the PNW there's a lot of nature to enjoy!
Thanks Elizabeth. So much nature to enjoy! I’ve lived here since 2001 and I still feel lucky.
You've got me beat by a year :-) I think we're both from the Bay Area. 30 - 60 minutes to the mountains certainly beats a drive up 80 to Tahoe!
I recently spent my 56th(!) with a day at the Portland Japanese Garden. I don't know if the fall colors are still in their full bloom, but what a wonderful way to enjoy a mindful walk and sit with the nature of impermanence.
David! It’s so nice to see you here. I was lucky enough to be at the Japanese Garden for the peak fall colors this year. I posted an amazing picture on Notes if you want to see. And I was rushing to get this newsletter out because I am heading to the Lan Su Chinese Garden in just a few minutes!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Honestly, one of my favourite birthday celebrations? A solo vacation. I found a little cabin, brought my favourite foods, a ton of books and journals. Stayed for a night or two. Bliss.
Oh, I remember that. It did look like bliss. 💚
this sounds HEAVENLY!!
A little getaway with one or two friends that can include a massage and spa fun and lunch or dinner is a great way to celebrate. If you plan ahead a concert you like to go to or jazz club outing is also a great way to enjoy a night and celebrate.
If you can spend money, I would take a trip to a warm relaxing tropical place.
Hi Raju! Niiiiice ideas. I haven't heard live music in a while.
HAPPY SNAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
One of the best things I **EVER** did for my birthday was a couple of years ago, where I had a Netflix Watch Party of Dirty Dancing with friends all over the world. There were only 6 of us in the end and it was SO FUN!! Highly recommend doing this!!
Well, that sounds totally delightful
First, happy birthday from one November baby (11.14) to another. I just celebrated my 59th birthday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I checked off a bucket list item ✅️: hot air balloon ride🎈 . Fantastic way to end my 50s and prepare for my next decade of life. I almost always take a solo trip away - even if that "only" means an AirBnB on the other side of town. Time by myself to regroup, reflect, refresh and recharge is the best way to end one year and start another. And as I always say, "me and me get along just fine".
Enjoy 55, however you choose to celebrate and have a happy and safe holiday.
No kidding, Kristina, I was just looking at Google maps, trying to figure out the drive from here to New Mexico. Happy belated birthday to you and thank you for this lovely reflection. “Me and me get along just fine” is something every human can aspire to.
Happy birthdayyyyyyy, dear Asha! I turned 55 last month and just got my first senior discount at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis! I was thrilled. I'm really glad you're here. As always, you inspire me so much. xo
Senior discount!! I love it! That is a whole world of joy ahead of me. And thank you thank you for the birthday wishes. I appreciate you so much.
So my favorite birthday celebration was for my 40th:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4Ahtetzdg&t=12s
As my 50th approaches, I'm not sure exactly what I will do. I tend to put off celebrations when bigger expenses are afoot (hello twins in college). If cost went out the window, I think I'd love to rent a house on a beach for a month and invite my friends to come and visit me there. Just people I love coming and going, each of us spending a little time away from our lives and sharing some time together.
Caroline! I finally watched your video and ... well, that was just remarkable. I had a grin on my face the whole time. What a truly magnificent way to celebrate. Your beachhouse idea is pretty magnificent, too.
Happy birthday, Asha! I turned 55 just three weeks before you, on Halloween. This year, my husband and I went into the city and stayed at the Westin for a night (we had a marriott voucher that was about to expire). We went for a fancy dinner, and then woke up and had fancy breakfast. Then we went home and continued the weekend as normal. It was great to just make it a bit special. The biggest thing I've ever done for a birthday was to invite 3 friends to go with me to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico for my 50th. I really wanted to mark it, and we had an amazing time. I hope you had a wonderful time marking 55.
That sounds lovely, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Belated happy birthday! and yes, do celebrate!!!
Just to share, there was a birthday of mine that my father passed the exact day. That brought a whole new meaning to my birthday. Since then, I couldn't 'just celebrate,' you know...but somehow it made him more alive in me, even when he passed.
Thank you for sharing about your Dad and about your birthday. I totally understand the nuance and beauty of it.
I’m celebrating my 50th birthday in two weeks (yay!). To mark the occasion, I’m hosting a virtual yoga class (all levels) for the women in my life and a brunch afterwards for those local. Movement, relationships, and lemon bars...things that make my life better!
What a generous idea! Thanks for sharing, Kara, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I am so impressed with everyone's celebratory plans.
My birthday was yesterday, and we did a treat crawl in Berkeley starting downtown and headed north on shattuck, hitting up all my favorite spots! A mix of tea, snacks, noodles, and dessert!