How many people said happy birthday

You may be more interested in sharing your thoughts in an emotionally charged Facebook post as you thank your Facebook friends for their messages. Here are some ideas.

You may see dozens or even hundreds of happy birthday posts on your Facebook page. Respond with a deep thank you — it goes a step further. Birthdays celebrate years lived and emphasize just how precious time is. If your year was tough from sickness or loss, you might take this time to share the sentiment that time is precious and just how much you appreciate each birthday you get to have.

Shout out the impact each of those people has had in your life. No matter how small, each person you have crossed paths with has influenced you. Take the chance to discuss the fragility of life. The harsh fact of life is that no day is guaranteed, and a great time to celebrate life itself is on our birthdays.

An emotional post about the gift of life and how you choose to not take it for granted is an option. Many people enjoy constructing a reflection post for their birthday.

Share it, be raw and use your birthday as a time to reach out to your friend list to discuss real stuff. You may want to set resolutions for your birthday. Who says resolutions have to happen on January 1? In your thank-you message, share your hopes and goals for the next year and you may inspire your friends to do the same.

I was living the dark side of celebrating milestones publicly on social media - and so were most of the people who ended up writing a birthday post out of social pressure or obligation. Birthdays, along with other special occasions, have become a bit of a profit center for Facebook - with promoted birthday fund raisers bringing in additional revenue for the social media giant. But for users, they have become far more like a chore than a way to celebrate a special day with a loved one.

Social networks have made it easier than ever to stay connected with far more people, but it has also created new social dynamics that are burdensome, stressful and, in some cases, damaging.

In fact, a new report by Facebook confirms that their platform - along with other social media platforms - can go beyond feeling like a chore to actually being harmful to our mental health.

It certainly isn't all bad. Facebook and other social media platforms provide invaluable opportunities to engage and learn. Private Facebook groups have also been an integral tool for the mentoring we provide through Hautepreneurs for women entrepreneurs, because the group allows participants in our program a place to connect with other women leading companies and share advice, ask questions, and draw from the experiences of others.

It's been almost two years since I made the decision to change my settings to make my birthday private. And it's also been two years since I made the more radical decision to stop wishing others a happy birthday.

She has worked on GOP campaigns in four states. TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. Related Stories. Say 'Thank You' Today. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription.