when you're young, birthdays are exciting because it means that you're unlocking new, adult activities. you're unlocking new mature responsibilities. this year, i turned 23 and realized that's over for me. depending on who you are, birthdays after a certain point can become even more exciting or even more daunting. personally, i'm pretty neutral. but i will say that it feels like societally we are afraid of aging. growing up, i saw endless anti-aging commercials - anti-aging facial moisturizers, anti-aging supplements, etc. we've grown up watching people cover up their aging, so i think it makes sense why societally some of us are afraid of it.