Tabula Rasa Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

Q: What is Tabula Rasa Day?

A: I created a holiday to celebrate inner freedom to start over. I declared December 1st , as Tabula Rasa [‘tabula rasa’ is Latin for “blank slate”] Why? It’s the first day, of the first month, of the first year, of the rest of my life.

Q: Why ‘Tabula Rasa Day’, ‘los? Why not blank slate day or something easier to digest?

A: Most languages are based in Latin, therefore English. I created the holiday for myself – a day to challenge myself to be introspective, or perhaps run head long into a challenge. Most importantly, it’s NOT A RESOLUTION DAY LIKE NEW YEARS!

Q: Is it always celebrated on December 1st?

A: Regardless of the day of the week, it’ll ALWAYS be December 1st. No exceptions, I will not be swayed on this matter. USA holidays either fall on the same date every year (e.g. Christmas) or same day (e.g. Thanksgiving) I was forced to pick one, and I chose the former over the latter.

Q: When will you stop celebrating TRD? Will you take a ‘break’?

A: When will I stop? When they are kicking dirt in my face while being 6 feet deep. Next question, please…

Q: How do we celebrate TRD?

A: It’s original vision was to have a Washington Apple shot, then a domestic beer chaser. As I’ve observed others wanting to celebrate with me, I’ve relented on that for others. I continue the tradition but with that said, anyone can celebrate with me – with alcohol, with wine, with soda, with water.

Q: Does my Tabula Rasa Day Declaration have any requirements? Who’s accountable for it?

A: No requirements; big or small. It could be mundane like changing the flavor of syrup you get at Starbucks (almond to hazelnut) to life changing like my bro BYoB did and skydived.

No one’s accountable except yourself. If you lie to yourself, who else will you lie to?

Q: Does my Tabula Rasa Day Declaration have an expiration date? Must I continue to pursue for a year?

A: Again, it’s not a resolution. It’s a declaration! You state something, like I did last year, and follow through. Your declaration has no expiration date, but the intent and spirit of it is to complete within the year until next TRD

Q: It’s Tabula Rasa Day XV. 15 years is a quite sometime. Are you running out of challenges for yourself?

A: No. Never will.

Q: Tabula Rasa Day is not known by many people as a holiday. Do you envision it being statewide? Nationwide? How about worldwide?

A: Firstly, I’m pleasantly shocked how many of my friends and family celebrate with me. Let alone, co-workers, friends of friends, etc. To answer the question, it would extraordinary if my message of hope becomes a ‘thing’.

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Tabula Rasa Day Declaration 2022

My TRD Declaration 2022 was “to live in a different city, in a different state by the end of 2023”. As of March 2023, this declaration was completed! I was living in Chandler, AZ with my dear friends that I consider family … the Wildes. They graciously opened up their home, so that I may locate a better living situation while I continued to work for Costco.

I affectionately dubbed it the Radio Room with a customized Guest Book for guests to sign. The name wasn’t creative … it’s literally Ron’s Radio Room to host the net on Fridays since he’s a large type ham operator.

I digress.

The reason why I wanted to live in a different city, in a different state was, my mind, body, and soul were in crisis mode. I honestly felt like Steve Rogers as Captain America. I realize that may sound like an overstatement of the situation, but that’s how I felt.

Every day at work, or on a personal level, whether it was me, a friend, family, etc there was a situation that I felt obligated to address. I had committed myself to various interests, and activities, I didn’t prioritize any time for self-care. Every minute, of every hour, of every day, was filled with anxiety if I wasn’t doing a task to address a crisis.

Or at least the people I “saved” would think of me as a superhero.

All the while, just like Steve Rogers, while being a superhero is grand, I still wanted a simpler life. It’s flattering to be depended on. However, it’s not a tenable situation. At the start of 2023, I literally was slipping down into an abyss of depression, self-destruction, and ultimately harming myself. I had been there before, I VOWED never to return, as I wasn’t confident I could pull myself out a second time.

I mentally sighed. All that effort, only to find myself on that slippery slope years later.

I called up a bro of mine that we’ve been friends since we were kids. I trust him, and his insight is uncanny. We had a brodown of sorts, with the conclusions being: I need to move. Once, I get there, do not commit to any activity, or anyone that doesn’t align completely with what you’re trying to accomplish.

Travail advised, “Before you go all-in, honestly test it, and try it out on a trial period. If it still feels good, then go crazy. But if you have your doubts, and the voice of reason is trying to push into the conversation, then say no.”

There it was: I was my own problem, yet my own solution.

I can change my mode from crisis to calm. It’ll take time, and distance, though. Chandler, in state forty-eight [Arizona] was the TRD Declaration city. I did what I needed to in order to get there. I transferred jobs within the same company [Costco] to retain my 20 plus of seniority, business arrangement for the house, packed up a few belongings, and said those right-and-proper goodbyes.

By early March 2023, I successfully relocated to Arizona.

I can truly started to work on transitioning from crisis to calm. After 9 months of self-work, I am nearing the completion to calmness. I’m sleeping better, eating better, therefore I’ve packed on the pounds. Which segues nicely to my 2023 Tabula Rasa Day Declaration.

At some point in 2024, fit into a size 36 or less, pant.

Sigh. I really didn’t want a physical declaration but when I look into the mirror, I don’t like what I see. I haven’t been this big since I was 29 (a year after being married) I’m very aware of how that ended. Or rather, I know I can be like what’s in the mirror with hard work, and self-discipline.

I recorded the declarations of those that joined my online event on December 1, 2023 – Tabula Rasa Day XV. I wish everyone attempting to complete their declaration the best of luck, and the sincere hope y’all do. I’ll do my damnest to complete mine.