I actually hated my birthday until I was about 26 years old. Quite frankly I was a sad-sack and hated my life, wishing I was never born. A birthday was the painful reminder that I was born: which I never asked to be, and never wanted to be (or so I thought) at that point in life.
These days, I love my birthday and am happy to be alive, but couldn't figure out why if I was happy to be alive, I still battle with depression. When dysphoria was brought to my attention, it made a lot of sense: you can be happy that you're alive, but not be 100% satisfied. I celebrate every birthday I have now with what energy I can muster...but after the HRT/SRS I really think the party is going to start. However, I will use my biological age because I actually am happy to grow old (see below.) To change my BD to my "official trans" day makes me seem like I will die young...which I don't care to do again.
My attitude towards birthdays changed when I was 26, like I said: funny thing happened...well, if you have a darker sense of humor like me and an appreciation for the ironic, it is hilarious...and that was, I died in my sleep from health complications. I got just what I asked for: to be out of here. 300 Lbs with kidney failure, looked like I was 50 years old because I didn't take care of myself...my body shut down, and I was gone for about 30 minutes. When I came to...most painful experience ever, "coming back"...I got frantic. I realized I really didn't want to die. I got back in shape, lost 140+ Lbs and am mistaken sometimes for a High School student (pros and cons to that hahahaha), published the books I always wanted to...and from then on, I LOVED every birthday I have had since. I will be celebrating my 80th birthday (if I make it that far) like I just turned 16 again. Life is precious, and not everyone gets to make it to even their 30's (like I almost didn't) so I say don't dread them: honor yourself, be proud that you robbed death for one more day, and celebrate like there's no tomorrow.