Reflection on the Passage of Time: Birthdays can prompt us to reflect on where we are in life. We may think about past birthdays, where we were a year ago, or what we've achieved. If we feel we haven't made as much progress as we hoped or if we're going through a difficult time, this reflection can bring about feelings of regret or dissatisfaction.

Social Comparison: With social media, it's easy to compare our lives to others. We might see friends or acquaintances posting pictures of lavish birthday parties, vacations, or thoughtful gifts, and this comparison can make us feel inadequate or like we're missing out.

Feeling Forgotten or Unappreciated: It's natural to want recognition on our birthday. When we don't receive the attention we expect — like a simple "happy birthday" from friends or family — it can make us feel neglected or unimportant. Even though people's lives can get busy, it's easy to interpret their silence as a lack of care.