The Surprising History Behind 'Don't Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater'

The expression, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater is a famous phrase that advises us to be careful when discarding unwanted things so that we don't accidentally lose valuable ones. 

The phrase has its roots in ancient European history and has transformed over time to become a commonly used metaphor in modern language. The origin of the expression dates back to 16th century Germany, where bathing was a rare occurrence for most individuals due to the scarcity of clean water. 

During this era, family members would bathe one after the other in the same tub, with the head of the household typically being the first to bathe, followed by male members, then females, and finally infants. 

By the time the baby's turn came, the water would be so murky that there was a risk of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. As a result, the person in charge of bathing the baby would be warned, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

 As we set our intentions for the new year, remember that it is vital to  hold to our wins from the year that proceeded. As we cleanse ourselves from the struggles and pain from 2025 remember Joy and struggle can share the same moment when your heart remains open.