It’s not just another day; it’s your birthday. The one day of the year where eating cake for breakfast is appropriate. It’s socially acceptable for individuals to act like the world does, in fact, revolve around them, and establishments are handing out freebies like Oprah used to hand out cars. We all have one, but do we all love celebrating it?

Just like most things, it seems as if birthdays become more complicated as the candles on the cake increase. Growing up, my birthday felt like a national holiday, all thanks to the-hostess-with the-mostest party extraordinaire herself, my mother. The bar is set pretty high when it comes to my big day. My 22nd birthday is right around the corner, so it’s only natural for me to highlight one of my most memorable parties from my childhood.

When I turned 6 years old, I had a pajama party at one of my favorite places growing up, a kids spa that hosted parties with themes like fashion runway, pop star and perfect princess. This iconic establishment is known as “Sweet and Sassy.” Only a few still exist today, some in Texas, Arizona and Missouri, just to name a few places.

I attended more parties than I can count at this dreamy wonderland, so it was no surprise that I wanted to host my own there. I opted for the spa-tacular theme where my friends and I would enjoy a night of pedicures, facials, makeovers and karaoke at the famous Sweet and Sassy Runway.

The party took place after hours, once it was closed to the public, giving my guests a real VIP experience. What a time to be alive. Everyone attending wore their favorite Hannah Montana, High School Musical or Camp Rock pajamas.

I’m sure we all have at least one birthday from our adolescence that makes us giddy. I like to feel that type of joy no matter what age I’m turning, and you can too.

“Birthday blues” has become a popular term due to feelings of melancholy that many unfortunately experience on a day that is supposed to be the complete opposite. But I say don’t give into that side of the Internet; the only thing blue I will accept on my birthday is a Tiffany’s box.

Nevertheless, social media has tried to influence an entire generation of people into thinking that if you’re not on an over-the-top birthday trip or at a dinner with 40 of your closest friends, your birthday is a flop.

Don’t be fooled by what you see on your timeline. Your birthday can be whatever you want it to be.

While trips and large dinner parties are acceptable, they aren’t necessary. As long as you’re happy, indulging in your favorite food and treats and surrounded by the ones you love most, it’s a day well spent.

I love birthdays, always have, always will, whether I’m boating on Lake Travis with my family or out and about with my best friend, drinking birthday matcha. It’s the little things I enjoy the most.

I’ve noticed that birthdays are acknowledged less by fewer and much smaller circles when we reach a certain age, which is sad but true. Nowadays, people send a birthday text, sometimes drop a comment on an Instagram post commemorating the day, if that, not even a phone call.

As long as you’re making another trip around the sun, your birthday should definitely be recognized, but maybe it’s time to stop relying on the people around us solely to make our day special.

While surprises, brunches, or even the smallest gesture are appreciated, they shouldn’t be expected. Just in case your friends or family don’t pull through, it doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a day or what I like to call a birthday season full of fun.

Your birthday is a great time to cash in those holiday gift cards you have stashed away in a drawer. Get pampered at the spa, try a new workout class like pilates or barre, experience live music, the possibilities are endless.

If you want to be spontaneous, go for it; if you want to be low-key, that’s fine, as long as you remove the pressures of how society views the perfect festivities for birthdays.

A birthday is not meant to be treated as a time to reflect on everything you haven’t done or accomplished but all that you have to look forward to and what you’re grateful for presently. Whether you’re turning 22, 40 or 70, I promise there’s still a lot of life worth exploring.

Choose birthday bliss over birthday blues.

Ava Francis is a 21-year-old journalism major from New Orleans residing in Texas.