Turning the Page on 2020
As I sit here in my cozy Nottingham home, sipping on a warm cup of tea, I can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of a year we’ve all just been through. 2020 has undoubtedly been a time of immense challenge, change, and uncertainty – one that has truly put our resilience and adaptability to the test. But as the clock ticks closer to the new year, I find myself filled with a sense of hopeful anticipation.
You see, in my family, we’ve always had a special tradition when it comes to ushering in the new year. Growing up in a Jamaican household, the days leading up to New Year’s Eve were always a flurry of activity, as we prepared to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new with open arms. And while the pandemic may have put a damper on our usual festivities, the core of this tradition – the idea of cleansing and renewal – still burns brightly within me.
As I learned from my dear friend Ziona, the Jamaican New Year’s cleansing ritual is all about removing the negative energy and residue of the past year to make way for a fresh start. It’s about deep-cleaning our homes, decluttering our spaces, and quite literally washing away the old to embrace the new. And while this may sound like just another household chore, there’s a certain magic and intentionality to it that I’ve always found deeply meaningful.
Letting Go of the Old
Growing up, my family’s pre-New Year’s routine was a well-orchestrated dance – from scrubbing every nook and cranny of our home to carefully sorting through our belongings and deciding what to keep, donate, or discard. It was a time to reflect on the highs and lows of the past year, to acknowledge our triumphs and our failures, and to consciously let go of anything that no longer served us.
As stylist Karyn Starr wisely shared, “In order for the new you to come in, you have to get rid of something. If it’s not serving you, it can serve someone else. It’s like good fashion karma.” And this philosophy doesn’t just apply to our wardrobes – it’s a principle that can be applied to all aspects of our lives.
Whether it’s that dress we held onto for years, hoping to one day fit back into it, or that toxic relationship we just can’t seem to let go of, the pre-New Year’s cleanse is the perfect opportunity to shed the dead weight and make room for the new. It’s a chance to take a long, hard look at the things we’re holding onto and ask ourselves, “Does this still bring me joy? Is this still serving a purpose in my life?”
Embracing the New
Of course, the cleansing process isn’t always an easy one. As Vogue.com writer Maria Ward eloquently put it, “I am riddled with pre-closet-cleanse anxiety in the week leading up to the purge. These were things I liked enough to buy, once. What if I have another chance to wear that Marc by Marc Jacobs dress? What if I finally discover how to style that Moschino blouse?”
It’s a natural human tendency to want to hold onto the familiar, even when it no longer serves us. But as my Jamaican elders used to say, “If not, we would be left behind in the old year’s luck.” And as much as it may sting to let go of those once-beloved items or relationships, the truth is that they’re only weighing us down and preventing us from fully embracing the new.
This is where the magic of the Jamaican New Year’s cleanse comes in. It’s not just about scrubbing our homes from top to bottom or meticulously organizing our closets – it’s about infusing the process with intention, ritual, and a sense of renewal. As Ziona shared, her family would often put on old reggae records or watch TV while cleaning, finding ways to make the process more enjoyable and less of a chore.
And when the physical cleaning is done, there’s an even more powerful ritual to be performed – the Jamaican Blue Lagoon bath. This cleansing soak, infused with herbs and natural ingredients, is designed to “remove the negative residue” and prepare the body, mind, and spirit for the new year ahead. It’s a way of honoring the past while simultaneously letting it go, and opening ourselves up to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
A Fresh Start at Adam Cleaning
As I sit here, contemplating the year that was and the year to come, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Sure, 2020 has been a challenge, but it’s also taught us the invaluable lessons of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of cherishing the people and things that truly matter.
And as we prepare to turn the page on this chapter and embark on a new one, what better way to start fresh than with a thorough, intentional cleansing of our homes and our lives? Whether it’s tackling that overflowing closet, scrubbing the kitchen from top to bottom, or indulging in a soothing, cleansing bath, the pre-New Year’s ritual is a powerful way to shed the old and embrace the new.
So, as the clock counts down to midnight on December 31st, I invite you to join me in this time-honored tradition. Let’s come together as a community, supporting one another as we let go of the past and step boldly into the future. And if you need a little extra help with the physical cleaning aspect, the team at Adam Cleaning is always here to lend a hand.
Here’s to a fresh start, a clean slate, and a year filled with hope, joy, and endless possibilities. Cheers to 2021 – may it be our best year yet!
