Upon the arrival of the day, I found myself excitedly checking my phone for the anticipated deluge of messages and notifications that would be arriving. Over the course of the hours that passed, the stillness got increasingly audible, and the absence of well-wishes became clearly noticeable. The absence of alerts was not the only thing that bothered me; it was also the sensation of being ignored by those I regard to be close to me.
Not only are birthdays dates on a calendar, but they are also significant milestones that serve to remind us of the importance we have in the lives of other people. These are the days when we anticipate feeling treasured and remembered by others. The regret of having one's birthday forgotten can lead to emotions of loneliness and insignificance, which can exacerbate the feelings of isolation that many individuals already suffer.