In many Western societies where birthdays, let alone milestone birthdays, are a big deal, not having plans is practically a social suicide. This pressure to perform, to throw a celebration or at least pretend you’ve got something going on, is suffocating. It’s all about appearances – if you don’t mark the day in a memorable way, you’re basically telling the world you’re irrelevant.

Birthdays are the ultimate yardstick for your achievements, relationships, and how “together” your life looks. It’s not just a day – it’s a public evaluation of your self-worth.

The fear of being judged or seen as a nobody for skipping out on a celebration is real, and it hits hard. Not marking your birthday, or not getting any birthday wishes? It sends the message that you haven’t achieved anything worth celebrating, reinforcing all your doubts and insecurities.

Meanwhile, in cultures where birthdays don’t matter, there’s no pressure, no continuous self-evaluation. It’s more about life, community, family, or spirituality, not showing off how great your life supposedly is.

While we’re stuck chasing approval, they don’t need to prove their value in the first place.