My idea on it is closer to yours than the traditional birthday routine. For me, birthdays are a good moment to look back and re-assess, see if I am happy where I am, if I'm following the road I set out on a year before and if not, am I happy with where this new road is taking me?
That being said, I do appreciate a good birthday cake/prezzie every now and again :P So, happy Steemversary! To many more ;)