Move over anniversaries, here come Arbitrary-versaries—the offbeat, feel-good, totally-random celebrations your mental health has been craving. But wait—what is an Arbitrary-versary, and why are more people getting on board with these seemingly silly milestones?
The Basics: Defining the Arbitrary-versary
An Arbitrary-versary is any random date you choose to celebrate, simply because it matters to you. Think of it as a non-traditional milestone with emotional significance—but without the formal rules.
Unlike classic anniversaries (wedding, work, or sobriety anniversaries), Arbitrary-versaries are unstructured, personal, and totally customized. They could commemorate the first time you binge-watched your favorite show, the day you finally unsubscribed from toxic social media accounts, or even the first day you didn’t cry after a rough breakup. The point? You’re making your own rules and honoring your growth, no matter how quirky or quiet it might seem.
Why Arbitrary-versaries Matter for Mental Health
We are obsessed with performance, timelines, and productivity, Arbitrary-versaries are rebellious. They tell your brain, “Hey, I see you. That moment mattered.”
Here’s why that’s powerful:
- They validate small wins: Mental health isn’t just about the big breakthroughs—it’s about the mini-moments that shape our healing. Arbitrary-versaries let us spotlight the subtle but powerful shifts.
- They boost self-awareness: Choosing what to celebrate forces introspection. You ask yourself: What do I want to remember? What matters to me?
- They foster joy and anticipation: Random celebrations break the monotony of everyday life. Planning a pizza party for the anniversary of your first solo therapy session? That’s serotonin well-spent.
- They can create rituals: Human beings thrive on ritual and repetition. By revisiting meaningful moments annually, even arbitrary ones, you ground yourself in your own story.
Real-Life Examples of Arbitrary-versaries
Still feeling fuzzy on how this looks IRL? Here are some Arbitrary-versaries people have created:
- The “New Phone, New Me” Day: Celebrating the day you tossed your old phone filled with toxic texts and contacts, and started fresh.
- Cereal-for-Dinner Anniversary: The night you chose rest over a complicated dinner plan. A turning point in your self-care journey.
- The Cry-Free Tuesday: The first random Tuesday where you noticed, I didn’t cry today. Feels good to celebrate that.
- First Boundaries Day: The first time you said “no” and didn’t apologize. Game-changing energy.
These little celebrations not only mark personal progress—they also normalize the nonlinear path of healing.
Marketing Gold: How Mental Health Brands Can Leverage Arbitrary-versaries
Okay, marketers—this is where it gets exciting. Arbitrary-versaries are incredibly marketable for mental health-focused brands and agencies. They’re relatable, user-generated, and make for phenomenal social media content.
Here’s how to tap into this trend:
- Create a hashtag campaign: Launch a community-focused campaign like #MyArbitraryVersary where users share their own milestones. Feature the most creative stories on your blog or social channels.
- Merch it up: Sell “Arbitrary-versary” calendars, journals, or customizable celebration kits (think: affirmation stickers, confetti, mini candle). Boom—emotional merch with meaning.
- Therapist Takeovers: Invite therapists to share what they’d consider meaningful Arbitrary-versaries. It helps humanize providers and breaks stigma.
- Encourage celebration as healing: In client work, have therapists ask, “What’s an arbitrary moment that deserves celebration?” and integrate that into goal-setting.
- Email content ideas: Include a monthly “Arbitrary-versary Inspiration” section—prompting readers with something to celebrate this month.
- Challenge series: Run a 30-day challenge where followers create a “joy list” of 30 arbitrary things they’re proud of. It’s an uplifting, shareable experience.
How to Start Celebrating Your Own Arbitrary-versaries
Ready to join the movement? Here’s how to create your own:
- Reflect: Think back over the past year. What made you laugh unexpectedly? When did you feel proud in private?
- Pick a date: It can be exact (e.g., the day you left a toxic job), or approximate (e.g., first week of spring).
- Choose your vibe: Do you want a solo spa night? A nostalgic playlist? A themed cake? Your vibe = your rules.
- Make it meaningful: Write a note to your past self. Journal. Or do nothing at all but smile and soak in the good feels.
Final Thoughts
Arbitrary-versaries aren't frivolous—they're freedom. They're how we reclaim our stories from the grind, the trauma, and the social norms that tell us only "big" things matter.
So here's your permission slip to get weird with your wins. Light a candle for your first ghost-free week. Pop champagne because you finally deleted that one playlist. Or just take a deep breath and say, “Yeah. That moment mattered. And I’m still here.”
Let’s celebrate the arbitrary. Because honestly, the small stuff? It’s not so small after all.
#ArbitraryVersary #CelebrateEverything #MentalHealthAwareness #LittleWinsBigFeels #HealingJourney #SelfLoveSundays #MentalHealthMatters #CelebrateYou #EmotionalMilestones #FeelGoodTrends
