There are two types of people in the world: those who celebrate their birthday and those who do not. As we grow older, most of us transition from the first category into the second, as birthdays become just like any other day in our increasingly complicated lives. We no longer look forward to turning a year old for a variety of reasons and put in less effort into celebrating ourselves.

Having turned 19 recently, I experienced this first hand. I realized how I was not as excited about my birthday as I used to be when I was younger. While I used to look forward to blowing out candles, planning a party, and opening up presents, those traditions began to seem pointless and more like a hassle. Turning 19 years old did not seem memorable because it was just another number, another year added to my life.

Although birthdays may seem to grow insignificant as we age and mature, they are important milestones in our lives and should be celebrated with open arms. A birthday is much more than just a day where you turn a year older. It is a commemoration of all that you have accomplished in the past year. It is the one time during the year that is completely about you and all the progress you have made as an individual (whether that be in your career, in your personal development or any other goal you may have worked towards.) Birthdays allow us to reflect on the past 365 days of our lives and not only appreciate all that we have done, but also force us to think about the future and set new expectations for ourselves.

More than anything else, birthdays should make us thankful for simply have completed another year in our life. Not everyone has the opportunity to live up to 10, 20, or even 40 years. So each year of our lives should be honored, rather than ignored.

A birthday celebration doesn't have to be fancy for it to hold meaning. The most important thing is to acknowledge its importance and take time out to give yourself some well deserved and needed attention on your special day.