Shara Smile, LLC Newsletter August 2025

Greetings on this hot Summer August!

I hope you’re finding ways to stay hydrated, cool, and perhaps enjoying a little sunshine between the downpours! It seems Mother Nature has been in full swing – either raining on us or turning up the heat! As we move into August, I wanted to share something a little personal and also invite you into a thoughtful reflection.

Let’s Talk About Birthdays…

August is my personal birthday month. Every year, I like to take a moment to reflect on what birthdays mean to us as adults – the good, the hard, and everything in between.

For many, birthdays bring joy, celebration, and anticipation. But for others, they can stir up anxiety, loneliness, fear of rejection, or memories of being let down or forgotten. If you’ve ever felt that way about your birthday – or if you’ve ever skipped celebrating entirely to avoid uncomfortable feelings – please know this: You are not alone.

I used to find birthdays confusing too. I wondered – if people loved me, shouldn't they take the lead in celebrating my birthday? As an adult, that “someone” who might organize something often got lost in life’s shuffle. While my family always tried to make things special when they could, the childhood family birthday parties were long gone. And I didn’t always feel like asking friends to take on the job of planning something. It left me feeling selfish, needy, and disappointed more times than I’d like to admit.

Then came JOY. Literally.


My friend Joy loves her birthday. She makes no apologies for celebrating herself. She plans what makes her happy, invites others in, and asks for what she wants – with joy and freedom. Watching her over the years of our friendship has given me a new perspective.

Now, I’ve found two things that work for me:

1. If someone offers to do something for my birthday – I say yes with gratitude!
2. If there’s something I truly want to do – I plan it myself, with love and intention.

Some years, I will host a birthday gathering as a way to say “thank you”  to the people who support and love me throughout the year. It’s a shift in mindset – from waiting for celebration to creating it with joy. And it’s changed everything for me.

So if birthdays are a tender topic for you, know that it’s okay. Whether they bring delight or discomfort, you’re not the only one. And if you’re interested in exploring deeper emotional patterns around birthdays – or self-worth, disappointment, or connection – that’s something we love helping with here.

Growing Into a Group Practice!

And speaking of love and support… Our practice is growing! What started as a solo journey is evolving into a group practice to meet the needs of more wonderful people like you. We’re excited about this next chapter and grateful for your trust and presence as we expand. Stay tuned – more on that in our September Newsletter!



Until then…

Celebrate Summer. Find Your Joy. And if you can – Share A Smile.

Warmly,


Shara Carter
Shara Smile, LLC


LPC-MHSP, NCC | Founder | Birthday Celebrator-in-Progress