I like the days after the birthday more than the actual birthday.
You have already gone through the threshold and now you are inhabiting the new reality. The birthday itself is an unnatural day with parties, messages, people reaching out… but the day after is a normal day in a new normal place.
If we had the rites of passage of old, I would have the same reaction—I would love the first normal day in which the boy has turned into man and joins the hunting party as one more. I think it’s more exciting than the over stimulation of the celebration.