Celebrating Life With A Trip

You Won’t Find Me Home On My Birthday

A couple of years ago, I promised myself to take a trip every year on my birthday, and that was one of the best decisions I ever made.

It was deeply disappointing for me to realize that I barely recall most of my birthday celebrations during the years. All those efforts to organize the best birthday party and the dozens of people invited did not mean anything to me anymore. They were forgotten, as were most of my memories.

For the last three years, instead of planning fancy parties for my birthday in November, I chose to plan trips. The destination doesn’t matter. The trip doesn’t have to be too far or exquisite; a nice view and a fireplace are more than welcome though. My guests? Some of the people that mean the most to me, but I’d definitely consider traveling by myself in the future.

Last November, I visited Meteora with my siblings. Fun family moments, fine cooking, late-night laughs, and extremely beautiful surroundings were only some of the highlights. We stayed there for three days and two nights, and I’d wake up at 5 a.m. in the morning to enjoy my coffee in the cold, watching the amazing landscape. Those moments of pure happiness still make me smile.

I still don’t have any thoughts for this November, so I guess it’s time to start planning my next birthday adventure. It feels exciting and promising.

Either I choose to go forty minutes away from Athens or take the next flight to an unknown destination, the point is you won’t find me home on my birthday. I realized that taking a couple of days off from my routine is the best gift I could offer myself and a great opportunity to know and explore not only new places but also the new person I become each year.

I encourage you to do the same and spend this important day, for most people, visiting new places and building lifelong memories. Take a break from your everyday reality to discover the world and your true self.