In case you needed a reminder, your birthday is an absolutely valid reason to pamper yourself. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always viewed my birthday as a day when I get to indulge in as much self-care as I want. If I want to get a new haircut, hit the spa and get a massage, or do my favorite face mask, I take full advantage of the occasion and make sure that I carve out the time to do those things. Plus, birthdays can be stressful, and we all deserve to give ourselves some TLC.

Also on that long list of self-care activities I like to indulge in: manicures. In my mind, the birthday energy is not fully there until I get my nails done. Sure, a good manicure can provide a boost of confidence, but it’s also just nice to get taken care of on your special day. Not to mention how good it feels to ring in the next year of your life looking ready for whatever it might bring.