Prime Junk Sale

While I was out driving earlier this fall, my eye caught a sign posted on the side of the road: Prime Junk Sale. I had to take a second look to make sure I read it right. Prime junk? Since when have we started classifying our junk into levels of desirability? Is junk a hot commodity now? Is some junk more valuable than others? No matter what fancy name we call it, isn’t it still regular old junk?

One person’s junk is another person’s treasure

It started me thinking about my own personal junk, the stuff I hold onto that weighs me down, both in the physical realm as well as in my mind. I know this clutter looks different for each one of us. What is it they say, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure? We’re each dealing with our own treasure chest of junk!

But this begs the question, how do I get rid of this mental junk, this clutter that serves no value in my life except to muddle and hold me back. It negates my efforts, it makes me doubt my abilities, it deflates my self-confidence. How do I not let it occupy a prime location in my mind?

You know, it’s the voice that tells you you’re not good enough, the belief that you’re not capable and the negative labels that we attach to ourselves. I think we all have moments when we let this junk crowd out the truths in our mind. Why are the competing voices often the loudest? Because the loudest voices are the ones we listen to.

1-800-GOT-JUNK

Just like with physical junk, we need to evaluate and take stock of the mental junk in our lives. We need to dissect each thought and belief for its value and contribution to our overall well being. If it’s tearing us down, instead of building us up, kick it to the curb! No one needs that kind of negativity in their lives.

Prime real estate

I know that’s easier said than done. For many of us, we have years of build up of mental junk and this junk is taking up prime real estate in our mind. We need to take it apart, layer by layer, and examine each part for its worth. If it’s not serving a purpose, let. it. go.

My uncle recently passed away and while going through his life’s accumulations, I discovered that we both have an affinity towards antiques. While his collection was on a grander scale, I discovered that some of his junk was valuable to me. On the other hand, as I was combing through his belongings, I was able to recognize some of his collection for what it really was: plain old junk. You know the kind… broken toasters, rusty antique pails, old VHS tapes. Since these items held no personal connection for me, it was easy to toss them into the junk pile.

But you know the tricky part? To be able to relinquish the hold on the junk that I’m carrying around with me. It’s become embedded and taken root.