If you’ve ever felt ambivalent or even anxious about your birthday, stick around—you’ll find plenty of inspiration and insights in this episode!

Welcome to another episode of Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale! I’m Lisa, your host, and today I have a truly special guest joining me—Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming, author of How to Have a Happy Birthday and the How to Have a Happy Birthday Workbook. In this conversation, Tamar and I talk about the complicated emotions that can surround our birthdays, especially as we grow older. We chat about everything from why birthdays can sometimes leave us feeling blue to how we can reclaim the day as a joyful, intentional celebration.

Tamar shares her personal story of moving from heartbreak on her 18th birthday to discovering the power of creating her own happiness. Together, we explore practical tips for planning a birthday that really lights you up, letting go of unrealistic expectations from others, and treating your birthday like the major personal holiday it truly is. We also talk about facing milestone birthdays, navigating the realities of aging, and embracing each year with gratitude and purpose.

Moments

00:00 Self-Made Birthday in France

06:10 Honoring Grief and Celebrating Life

08:37 Plan Your Birthday Celebration

11:32 Embracing Birthday Joy

13:44 Embracing 60's Transition

18:20 Embrace Birthday Celebrations

20:11 "60th Birthday Reinvention"

Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone approaching a milestone year (or who’s ever felt the "birthday blues"):

Take Ownership of Your Happiness: Don’t wait for others to make your birthday special. Plan ahead and create the experience you want—it’s your personal New Year!

Release Unrealistic Expectations: Many birthday disappointments come from expecting others to deliver joy for us. Be direct about what you want, and don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Embrace Aging as a Privilege: Each birthday is a celebration of life and a reminder of the unique journey you’re on. Rather than dreading “big numbers,” honor the wisdom and growth you’ve gained.

Email me, Lisa Stockdale, anytime at [email protected]

Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale is sponsored by HomeCaire. We believe every patient should get the personalized care they need, in the way they want it. Every caregiver should feel supported, valued, and motivated. We see each person as their own entity, with unique needs, desires, and skills. Our goal is to best support our family as they reach new milestones.

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Copyright 2025 Lisa Stockdale

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Thanks for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale, sponsored by HomeCaire of Ohio. We added an "i" to care because we care about the individual. That includes the individual caregiver and the individual client. From each caregiver's caseload to every client's care plan, we understand that individual preferences and priorities matter. People matter; we haven't lost sight of that here at HomeCaire of Ohio. If you or someone you know needs personal care at home, call 419-458-3000 to learn.