I Think, Therefore I Am Day: The Spark of a Thought Inspired by René Descartes

I’m a firm believer in celebrating the good in the world: the people, the ideas, the moments that make us pause, reflect, and feel that little spark of inspiration.

That's why, when the idea for "I Think, Therefore I Am Day" first bloomed in my mind, it wasn't just another calendar entry; it was a passion project, a tribute to the sheer power of thought and the incredible individuals who wield it.

I Think Therefore I Am Day - March 31

I remember sitting in my philosophy class, many decades ago, tucked away in those wooden desks, first learning about René Descartes. His radical idea, that our very existence is proven by the fact that we can think, stuck with me like a seed planted in the back of my mind. 

Fast forward to more recently. I was driving, lost in thought, when Billie Eilish’s "Therefore I Am" came through the speakers. Hearing those lyrics, "You think that you're the man, I think, therefore I am" was a "full circle" moment that bridged the gap between a 17th-century philosopher and 21st-century pop culture.

While Descartes used the phrase to prove his own existence to himself, Billie uses it to reclaim her existence from the public and the paparazzi. He was a man who dared to doubt everything, to strip away assumptions until he found an unshakeable truth. She uses it to draw a hard line between her real life and your opinions and perceptions of her. 

Why We Need This Day

Descartes was the original "unconventional genius." He didn’t follow the rules; he famously stayed in bed until noon because that’s when his mind felt most alive. He dared to doubt everything, the media of his day, the "influencers" of the church, and even his own senses, in order to find the truth.

Today, we are bombarded by noise. Everyone has an opinion on who we should be, who they think we are, how we should look, and what we should believe. Billie Eilish used that quote to tell the world that she is who she is and the world doesn't have power over who that person is. It's a message that resonates with the world as tools we can use to protect our mental space and celebrate our individuality.  

I Think, Therefore I Am Day is my invitation to you to channel that same energy. It’s a day to:

• Honor the Thinkers: From the philosophers who paved the way to the artists who keep the conversation alive.

• Trust Your Rhythm: Celebrate your own unconventional "bed-thinking" moments.

• Reclaim Your Space: Remember that your mind is the one place where you are the ultimate authority.

This day is about the profound truth that our capacity for thought is a gift. That our experiences are our own. That our thoughts and how we perceive ourselves are our own.

It’s about the power of the self in a world full of noise.

It gives us the power to create, to innovate, and most importantly, to be unapologetically and authentically. Whether it’s a song on the radio or a sentence in a book, inspiration is the thread that connects us all.

Today, I am staying in bed until noon and celebrating you, and me, and everyone who has ever dared to truly think in ways that are unique to each of us! 

From the Editor, Patti Jewel

Patti Jewel is an author, creator, entrepreneur, small business consultant, advocate for single parents, beautiful beaches, and finding unity through holidays. She has created inspirational, food, fun and awareness holidays for over 25 years and has written about and promoted holidays that bring people together and unite people in a shared passion.