As more and more of my friends have had their 21st birthdays this year, it has dawned on me how much the birthday celebrating tradition has changed, and not just because we're getting older. I mean the way birthdays are planned, celebrated and recognized has completely changed, and I think it's because of social media and technology.
In middle school, I remember the days when my best friends would wake up before sunrise and sneak into school to decorate my locker with wrapping paper and balloons.
I would pretend to be surprised even though it would have been the end of my birthday happiness had it not been there.
I knew they cared because they chose lack of sleep to make me feel special, and I would do the same for them on their big day.
Now, waking up on your birthday can be followed by a feeling of dread as you check your Instagram and Facebook to see how many unfortunate looking pictures your friends have unearthed of you from Snapchat and selfies you thought would never see the light of day again.
Instead, they are added on Facebook and Instagram and you are tagged in them so your entire news feed can enjoy pictures of you at your worst.
Facebook makes it possible for friends to find pictures of you from your prepubescent days and share them for all of your friends to see in an instant.
An Instagram collage from friends has taken the place of wrapping lockers, and Facebook wall posts have taken the place of phone calls or birthday cards sent in the mail.
People you've maybe met once or twice, and who would never think of sending you a birthday card, can now write on your wall wishing you happiness and a safe celebration.
When is the last time you actually received an invitation in the mail to celebrate someone's birthday?
Before social media, going out and celebrating with your friends used to be more of a private matter.
Now, every embarrassing and awkward thing your friends make you do on your birthday can be set as a Snapchat story or Instagram video for the world to see.
The 21st birthday celebration is no longer safe. Every time you check something off your list of 21 embarrassing things to do on your 21st, there will be people Snapchatting and Instagramming your actions.
Social media has brought the good and the bad to birthday celebrations.
The days of locker wrapping are over, so embrace what may happen on your next birthday, because change is inevitable.
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