Birthday is tomorrow and I feel so depressed

[Mavis12]

I’m turning 24 tomorrow. Usually I’m very happy when it gets close to my birthday but not this year.

I’m not where I wanted to be at 24.

I started struggling with crippling anxiety this past year. I feel like I’ve taken leaps backwards instead of forwards. I just want the day to be over with but that’s not a normal feeling for me. I don’t feel like myself anymore. I feel like she’s thousands of miles away.

Just having a little pity party 😔

[Hidden]

Omg, 24! You are a baby. You are fine! Do something wonderful for yourself, it's your day! Most people don't reach their goals til later in life. 20's is still so young. You are just getting started in life. It's difficult to figure out what you really even want to do, accomplish by 24. Most people live til they are in there mid 70's. You have a bazillion years to do everything you want to do. Stop stressing about it. Enjoy your birthday and take steps, baby steps towards your goals in life, a long life time Happy Birthday

[Mavis12 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it 🖤

[Coralrose5 in reply to Mavis12]

Enjoy it! I’m 32 and I’m not where I thought I would be either. It’s not a race and the more you pressure yourself the less you enjoy life. Have fun and experience and explore.

[smollartist]

Have you read Secrets For the Mad by Dodie Clark?

it's got a lot of good insight in it, and it's well written, too (Especially if you like British stuff). The author talks about her experience with depression and anxiety, and how it affected her, and she puts it into words and music (which is also pretty good).

I found it really helpful and comforting and encouraging ~

But happy birthday! I hope you find something to make you smile <3

take care of yourself, and just take it slow, try to relax and figure out things one at a time

[Mavis12 in reply to smollartist]

I haven’t! I’ll check it out though.

Thank you very much 🖤

[smollartist in reply to Mavis12]

Your welcome! Feel free to message me and let me know what you think, if you do happen to read it!

And you're very welcome <3

Good luck with things!

[Mavis12 in reply to smollartist]

Thank you 🖤

[Mavis12]

You make a very good point.

Thank you 🖤

[jasmineclaire]

I’m sorry to hear. It’s okay to have a pity party, and show yourself some compassion ya know. Do you have bday plans?

[Mavis12 in reply to jasmineclaire]

Just spending some time with family 🖤

[jasmineclaire in reply to Mavis12]

Cool. I hope you have a nice time. What’s the weather like where you’re at?

[explorerPHX]

This --> "I’m not where I wanted to be ..." is a feeling I am all too familiar with. I know exactly where you are coming from with that. Personally (I am older than 24), I feel like i've failed in some way by not being where i want to be or where i think i should be. You are not alone. your feelings are yours and they are valid and it is ok to feel what you feel.

[Mavis12 in reply to explorerPHX]

Thank you 🖤 I’m sorry you’re going through something similar.

It’s hard to try to talk to my family about this because they’ll say, “you’re so young still! Quit being silly.”

And I’m like, I’m not saying I’m old or I’m feeling old. I’m just not where I was expecting to be at 24 years old is all.

[explorerPHX in reply to Mavis12]

Thank you. And I know what you mean. It's hard to talk to others about it because they don't quite understand the feelings behind that kind of thought.

Oh, & happy birthday

[Mavis12 in reply to explorerPHX]

Thank you!

[jesca18]

I know exactly how you feel except I turn 30 next week. I am not looking forward to my birthday at all as I have in past years.

As far as not being where you want to be.. this is a thought I have daily and my depression and anxiety make getting where I want to be extremely difficult.

I was offered a promotion at my job today.. maybe that means things will finally begin looking up for me? Here’s to hoping.

Happy birthday

[Mavis12 in reply to jesca18]

Hey congratulations! That’s awesome.

Thank you 🖤

[melbrown]

Happy birthday Mavis 🥳🎂 Think we can all relate to how you are feeling. This year my birthday was when going through IOP ... really didn't want to celebrate. Try to be with love ones today & remember you are you... it takes time to heal, but you'll be back.

[Mavis12 in reply to melbrown]

Thank you very much 🖤

[Mumma_h]

24? You lucky little spring chicken 🐥😄. Try being 45 , husband left me , 4 kids and no dad around . I clean houses for extra income and my last job was doing dishes ( actually that one was awesome it was at the zoo!!) not where I wanted to be . You are so so young, you're whole life is ahead of you 😄. Not trying to make you feel bad for feeling this way at all!!!!!!!! Just hope it cheers you up!!! Happy birthday for tomorrow, hope you have a wonderful day 🎉🌸. There are few at 24 who are just where they want to be , take heart honey ❤️. P.s love a little pity party on the odd occasion, I let it all out 😆😭 and often feel better. 😘😘😘😘

[Mavis12 in reply to Mumma_h]

Thank you 🖤

[dore13]

I'm a Pisces too! Happy Birthday! I wish I could say I was going to be 24, because there is so many things I'd change. You are still young enough to make those changes. I don't think you should size up your life by thinking" I'm not where I wanted to be at 24." Everyone is different, some people have better breaks in life, some people have mental illnesses, and some don't. How can comparisons be made when there are too many variables? Don't try to keep up with the Jones, follow your own path. There was a philosopher who wrote something about this, and it still holds true today. The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Why should we be in such dire haste to succeed? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it's because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music whichever he hears, however measured, or far away.

[Mavis12 in reply to dore13]

Thank you very much for your kind words 🖤

[kenster1]

hi mavis happy birthday to you lets hope its a special day.all the very best to you.

[Mavis12 in reply to kenster1]

Thank you so much 🖤

[Agora1]

Happy Birthday Mavis12!

Every birthday should be a special one, a celebration of your life.

Birthdays don't have to be about accomplishing something by a certain

age. We all get to be where we want to be in our own time. Never judge

your life by where others are at the same age. Enjoy your day. xx

[Mavis12 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so very much 🖤

[RaisingArrowsMama]

I am hoping you had a wonderful birthday! You are so young and have so much to look forward too!! At this age, life is only beginning and you have so much time to figure out what your calling and passions are. Try not to stress out, learn to enjoy every day as a gift to discover yourself and who you are called to be. Prayer and journaling are great tools, personally prayer and seeking a close relationship with God has been to key to truly discovering who I am and what I am meant to be, as well as finding true meaning in life! Happy belated birthday!! I pray you are able to move forward and slowly see you anxiety levels decrease until they are a thing of the past!