Day 10: Sing Me Happy Birthday
Day 10: Ask Cheesecake Factory to sing me Happy Birthday… When it’s not my birthday & I won’t be dining there
This is another one that I have been dreading since I saw it on the list. But the day has finally come.
I have to go to Cheesecake Factory and ask them to sing me happy birthday (making it known that it’s not my birthday and I won’t be eating there). My anxiety levels were similar to asking for $100 and knocking on someone’s door. I was shaking before I even left the house. My heart rate was through the roof and I was dreading this more than ever.
On my way there, I was filming all my anxious thought and trying to talk myself through it. I decided that the thing I was most afraid of was getting a yes. Ironic, right?
If I got a yes, that would mean I would then have to stand in the lobby of Cheesecake Factory on a busy Sunday night, and listen to them sing, and have people stare at me. I already feel uncomfortable when people sing me Happy Birthday on my actual birthday; this was gonna be 10 times worse.
I also knew that the chances of me getting a yes were pretty high. Especially with the backstory I had planned.
I parked the car and my heart felt like it was going to explode. I was more anxious than I’ve been in a while. I tried to breathe through it but I knew nothing was going to help until I got it over with.
I walked into the restaurant and pulled out some false confidence. I explained to the hostess that I go to Cheesecake Factory every year for my birthday (mostly true) but I didn’t get a chance this year since it was my 21st and I went out.
Also shameless plug to my 21st Birthday lessons & Recap ;)
I told her that it was really bothering me that I broke the streak of not getting happy birthday sung to me here and asked if they do it now. Even though she seemed a little thrown off by the request, she told me right away that it would be possible. I was terrified.
She had me walk her thought the plan of how it would go down and then asked me to step aside to wait. The dinner rush was arriving and standing there anxiously was the longest 10 minutes of my life. I debated leaving SO. MANY. TIMES.
I asked the question and got my answer- why did I need to see it through?
I already knew why. This was part of the challenge and I knew I would be so dissapointed in myself if I left. And lets be honest, this was content GOLD. I wasn’t gonna let me and my TikTok suffer.
I battled with my anxious thoughts while I forced myself to stand there. I convinced myself that she told everyone on her walkie talkie about my odd request and that all the staff was judging me. In reality, I think she may have told she told one coworker and was preoccupied with doing her job…
I felt like a huge inconvenience. Even though she empathized with me and validated my request, my brain tried to convince me otherwise.
After what felt like an eternity, the hostess walked over to me with one of her servers. I re-explained the situation and she agreed to do it with no hesitation. The three lovely ladies then proceeded to sing me happy birthday in the middle of the Cheesecake Factory lobby.
It felt like a fever dream. But it was also empowering. I thanked them so much and let them know how much I appreciated it.
I left the restaurant and couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. I was in shock. If you told me a week ago that I would have the courage to do that, I would have never believed you.
This was the most impactful day for me by far. I felt unstoppable. And watching the video back, I was able to see that nobody in the restaurant even gave it a second thought. I always fear that everyone is judging me so it was actually such a relief to see that nobody batted an eye.
ITS. ALL. IN. MY. HEAD !!
One day at a time, I am conquering this fear. I am now 1/10 of the way there and I am more determined than ever.
