For my 40th birthday, I wanted a day entirely to myself. As an introverted mom, I just needed a break.

Courtesy of Sara Rowe Mount

For a few years now, I've seen people I'm connected to on social media celebrating their 40th birthdays in style. They're renting rooms out in restaurants and throwing a big party with all their friends and family. Planning a girls' weekend with all their friends and drinking and relaxing in the sun. Or just going away for a night or two at a bed and breakfast with their significant other or best friend.