You do not always have to be doing something. You were born worthy.
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, I turned 39.
And unlike previous years, I didn’t post much about it.
Aside from my stories, I didn’t post the usual cute pic.
It wasn’t because I was sad or ungrateful. I just didn’t feel like it this year.
Where I am usually super excited and bubbly, my mood on my birthday this year was that of Proverbs 27:2, “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth–a stranger and not your own lips.”
This year, I didn’t feel like broadcasting the day of my birth. As much as I want people to remember me, I also want to let go of the need to control it.
If I were to be remembered, I want it to be a natural, organic occurrence, not a social media notification.
Strangely, I’ve had people say, “I didn’t get a notification.”
I thought it was weird their need to tell me they didn’t know because Facebook didn’t remind them. Just say you forgot, lol.
This further solidified for me why I was not motivated to post about it.
I like surprises and random acts of kindness I didn’t see coming. I don’t want to have to keep repeating the basics.
It reminded me of the quote floating around somewhere that says, “let people do what they want to do, so you can see what they’d rather do,” or some variation.
I prolly butchered that, but the overall point is to let people be themselves and allow their actions, not just their words, to reveal their true character.
I chose to let go of the need to control people’s remembering me, without holding it against those who did not.
In whatever circumstance, I have learned to be content.
These are the thoughts I am still mulling over, praying over, and meditating on in this final year of my 30s.
My key takeaway during these musings was to remember that whether I hosted a grand gesture or sat home in my pajamas eating my favorite snacks (and did), I am worthy regardless.
And so are you.
We do not have to be doing something to earn the title. We have inherit value and inherit dignity.
The 30s have been especially challenging, but I look forward to seeing what this year has to offer as I prepare for my ascension into the next phase of my life.
I cannot believe I will be 40 next year.
Do it hurt, ya’ll?
The PBS Blog 