#332 - WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE THE DAY OFF ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

Feb 14, 2025

Have you ever let your birthday slip by as just another regular workday?

Maybe you’ve been too busy with responsibilities, planning celebrations for others, or simply haven’t thought about taking the day for yourself.

Well, in this episode, I’m here to encourage you to change that!

Your birthday isn’t just another day—it’s a milestone, a reminder of the beautiful journey you’re on. It’s a day to pause, reflect, and celebrate YOU.

I truly believe that taking your birthday off is one of the most powerful acts of self-love and joy you can give yourself. And it doesn’t have to be extravagant.

Whether it’s a quiet day with a journal and a coffee, a nature walk, a spa experience, or a day of pure adventure, the key is making it special in a way that fills your heart.

In this episode, I’ll share:
✨ Why taking your birthday off is an act of self-care and self-celebration
✨ Dreamy ideas for making your birthday truly magical
✨ The power of reflection and setting new intentions on your special day
✨ How to make this a tradition that brings joy for years to come

So, let this be your sign—next time your birthday rolls around, plan to take the day off. You deserve it! 💛

As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here.

Have a wonderful weekend… and remember, it all starts with a dream 💛

💛

Dream Life & kikki.K Founder

SHOW NOTES:

Use our beautiful Self-Care journal on your birthday. Explore here...
Join my Platinum Coaching Program - where in March our focus is on Planning for the Quarter Ahead. Align your plans with your key dreams & specific goals. Reflect, refine, reenergise and lock in for continued success. Learn more here.
Join my virtual book club GROW for March where we meet weekly on Zoom to discuss and squeeze the learnings from great books. This March we're reading Time Wise, by Amantha Imber. Dominate your day and level up your life, using the secrets and habits of highly effective people. Learn more here.
Dream Life Community Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded dreamers.

RESOURCES:

Sign up to our email list here to hear about upcoming workshops.
Take your first step to getting clarity on what you want from life with this free bonus dreaming exercise here 101 Dreams Audio Guide
Buy Kristina's book, Your Dream Life Starts Here
Discover how close you are to living your Dream Life. Take our 5min Quiz here and get personalised insights emailed to you...

TRANSCRIPT:

Why You Should Take the Day Off on Your Birthday

Kristina:
What would you do with your life if you knew you couldn't fail? If you had all the money, time, knowledge, and resources you needed—what would you do? What if anything was possible for you?

I'm Kristina Karlsson, founder of the global Swedish design and inspiration brand Dream Life, author of Your Dream Life Starts Here, and I love exploring these kinds of questions to inspire you to chase your dream life—whatever that means for you.

Years ago, I wrote down a dream: to bring Swedish design to the world and create beautiful, inspiring, and meaningful products that spark joy in everyday life. Now that I’ve achieved that dream, my mission is to share everything I’ve learned to help YOU dream big. I want to inspire 101 million people to transform their lives—and in return, transform the world.

Each episode, we dive deep into the power of dreaming, sharing real insights and practical ideas to help you create a life you love.

Why You Should Take Your Birthday Off

Hi, and welcome back to another episode! Today, we’re talking about something I feel incredibly passionate about—something that could completely change how you experience your special day every single year.

Yes, I’m talking about taking your birthday OFF!

My birthday was just the other day, and it made me think: everyone should do this. It’s so important to make your birthday special, and that doesn’t mean it has to be extravagant. A special day can be whatever feels right for you.

If you’ve ever worked through your birthday, letting it pass like any other day, this episode is especially for you. Because I truly believe that every birthday is a gift, a milestone, and a chance to celebrate—not just in the traditional “blow out the candles” kind of way, but in a way that honors who you are, the journey you’re on, and the dreams you’re creating.

So today, I’m sharing exactly why you should take your birthday off, along with some dreamy ideas on how to make it truly magical.

Why Your Birthday Deserves a Day Off

Let’s be honest—life is busy. There are deadlines, responsibilities, and never-ending to-do lists. But your birthday is NOT just another day. It’s a moment to pause and reflect on the experiences, lessons, and growth of the past year.

Taking the day off is a powerful act of self-celebration and self-care. It’s about intentionally choosing joy and making your happiness a priority—at least for one day.

Think about it. We celebrate anniversaries, holidays, and milestones for others, yet how often do we take time to truly honor ourselves?

And let’s be real—sometimes, birthdays can feel like another chore. We rush around organizing dinners, cakes, and celebrations for others. And while that can be wonderful, it’s so easy to forget to actually celebrate ourselves.

When you gift yourself a day of freedom, you’re saying:
💛 I am worth celebrating.
💛 I deserve rest, joy, and fulfillment.
💛 I get to choose how I spend my day.

And that is incredibly powerful.

Dreamy Ways to Spend Your Birthday

Now that you’re hopefully on board with taking the day off, let’s talk about how to make it magical. Here are some dreamy ideas to help you create a birthday that truly fills your heart.

💫 1. Start with Reflection & Gratitude
Take a moment to pause and reflect. Grab a journal—maybe even treat yourself to a new one in advance as a birthday gift! I’ll link some of my favorite journals from the Dream Life Store in the show notes.

Here are some journaling prompts to get you started:
✨ What were the highlights of the past year?
✨ What did you learn?
✨ What are you proud of?
✨ What are you grateful for?
✨ What are your dreams for the next year?

This simple exercise can fill your heart with appreciation and excitement for the future.

💫 2. Plan a ‘Dreamy You’ Day
Ask yourself: If I could spend my birthday doing anything that makes me feel truly alive and happy, what would I do?

Then, do that! Here are some ideas:
🌿 Book a relaxing spa day
🌊 Go for a beach walk or a hike in nature
☕ Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch at your favorite café
📖 Curl up with a book you’ve been meaning to read
🎨 Do something creative—painting, journaling, or baking a beautiful cake
🎭 Visit an art gallery, museum, or see a movie alone (which I love doing!)
🛍️ Buy yourself a little gift—because you deserve it!

Personally, I love starting my birthday with my family, then once they’ve left for school or work, I go for a long walk, have breakfast or coffee at a cozy café, visit an art exhibition, and enjoy a spa experience. Then, I finish the day with dinner with my family and friends.

But honestly—whatever makes your heart sing, do that! It’s your day.

💫 3. Have a Solo Adventure or a Joyful Gathering
Do you want a peaceful, introspective day alone or a day filled with laughter and connection? Either is wonderful!

✨ If you want solo time: Take yourself on a date! Visit a museum, go for a scenic drive, or try a new class—yoga, dance, or pottery. You could even switch off your phone for a digital detox and just be present.

✨ If you want to celebrate with loved ones: Plan a birthday brunch, host a Dream Life Vision Board Party, or have a fun, spontaneous day with friends. Let the day flow with laughter, cake, and great company.

💫 4. Do Something That Fills Your Soul
Your birthday is the perfect time to reconnect with your bigger dreams.

🌟 Write down your goals for the year ahead.
🌟 Reflect on your vision for your dream life.
🌟 Take the first small, joyful step toward something exciting.

A beautiful way to mark your birthday is to ask yourself:
What do I want to create this year?

Then, commit to taking action—one step at a time.

A Birthday Reminder: Celebrate YOU

Here’s the most important thing to remember: taking the day off for your birthday is NOT selfish. It’s sacred.

💛 You are worthy of celebrating.
💛 You are worthy of rest.
💛 You are worthy of joy.

So this year, I invite you to make a promise to yourself—no more birthdays spent working or rushing through the day. Slow down, breathe, and truly enjoy the magic of being alive.

And what if you made this a tradition? Imagine if every year, you gifted yourself a day of reflection, joy, and celebration.

At my previous company, kikki.K, we even gave employees a paid day off for their birthdays. And it’s something I’ve continued for myself ever since.

Your Birthday Challenge

When your next birthday comes around, take the day off—and make it unforgettable.

Your future self will thank you.

I’d love to hear how you celebrate your birthday! Tag me on Instagram @kristinadreamlife or share in our Your Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group.

And if you loved this episode, please share it with a friend who needs to hear this today. 💛

I’ll be back Monday with a new Monday Morning Motivation episode. Until then—dream big and live your best life. And don’t forget to book that day off for your birthday!

✨ Happy early or belated birthday to you! 🎂