Yessssss half birthdays!! That’s correct, you may be reading this like what? Your half birthday, six months before your actual born day. Not many people celebrate although they should start. If you’re like me and have a winter birthday celebrating it can be like …. So last year (2017) I decided to celebrate my half birthday which was June 22. Why??? Well for once I wanted to not worry about the weather, clothes, establishments that were closed for the season etc.. This was a day of relaxation and self-care in nice weather might I add.

Initially I thought of going somewhere but where?? When I spoke with my friends they thought I was joking. Like why you want to celebrate your birthday now, one said. And then another, so does this mean we’ll have to celebrate again in December? Of course you will!! The planning part, always my biggest hurdle. I rather tell someone what I like to do and they plan it (Shouldn’t that be the way?). Just tell me the cost and I’ll be ready. Due to my procrastination 6/21 came and I was still in Maryland and no plans. But I wasn’t cancelling my “half birthday” lol…

I woke up June 22^nd to no alarm and still no plans. So I did everything that came to mind by myself. Remember those friends I discussed earlier, nope they didn’t come. And guess what I enjoyed every bit of it by myself. You want to know something else, it turned into my half birthday weekend. That’s right, I celebrated all weekend. The most exciting thing is I learned a lot about my myself, focusing on anything that came to mind. I made a note of everything I thought of and just did them in no particular order. After I got dressed I went and had brunch. That was the first stop. Then what better way to walk off some of those calories from food and wine, a museum. I’ve driven past this museum hundreds of times and always wanted to go, now was my chance.

The American Visionary Art Museum of Baltimore is where I went. This museum exhibits artwork by self-taught artist (Pretty awesome) and it spans over three buildings. Whew did I get my steps in this day.

Mommy I got one of those (young boy at Museum)

Stanley Wright (Photo Taken at Visionary Art Museum)

It was AMAZING!!!! I’m an art lover and I enjoyed viewing all the paintings, sculptures, and different fun facts. The museum is breathtaking, there’s a restaurant and they host wedding receptions. Now that I did over 10,000 steps, I was hungry and it was at the perfect time, happy hour! I went to one of my favorite tequila bars named Blue Agave and feasted on some nachos, quesadillas and a margarita or two. I had some of the happiest hours and when I left I went home and relaxed the rest of the evening. That was a great half birthday, but that’s not all. On Friday, I went to brunch again, enjoyed a massage, and went to the lake to reflect on the last six months.

What better way to enjoy the first Summer weekend day, a wine festival. The ART festival @Linganore Winecellars. I enjoyed my day with my two favorite things wine and art. Sunday was spent relaxing, I did absolutely nothing!!

I love you infinity times infinity– Belinda Raffy age 6 (Photo taken at Visionary Art Museum)

As a therapist I stress the importance of self-care and what that looks like. Honestly it can be different for each person and that’s okay. Its important to take time out for yourself and take in the moment. Do what you like and on your terms or do nothing at all. What I learned during my half birthday is that I need to celebrate life itself more often. I tried something new, celebrating the half birthday and by myself. Even though I kept talking myself out of it, I did it. Here are my three main benefits of self-care: 1. Renewed Sense of Self, 2. Being authentic, 3. Reduced stress

This was just the start of integrating self-care. Wait to read what I did on my actual birthday. There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball,and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at all- Ogden Nash

Check out these cool places that I mentioned if you’re ever in Maryland:

The American Visionary Art Museum- http://www.avam.org/

Blue Agave- www.blueagaverestaurant.com

Linganore Winecellar- http://www.linganorewines.com/

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