Cutting Away The Bad Luck

Dear Nobody, as one zodiac year ends and another begins, there is a distinct feeling of renewal in the air. In this episode, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse and reflect on the "bad luck" of the passing year—from health struggles to the injuries that impacted my career in piano—and why I am so ready to start fresh. We dive into five staple traditions that define Lunar New Year, from the mandatory haircut to wash away negative energy to the specific rules and joy of receiving red envelopes. As a Chinese Indonesian living in the States, celebrating these traditions often feels a bit different than it did back home. We talk about the bittersweet reality of missing family reunions due to the changing lunisolar calendar and why it is so important to keep these rituals alive, even when you are far away. Whether it is wearing the brightest red to ward off evil spirits or reminding a friend not to sweep away their good luck, this episode is about finding home in your traditions, no matter where you are in the world.