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get-rid-of-sentimental-clutter

How Do I Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter?

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Feeling sentimental about objects is real. There are many emotions surrounding them because they often hold personal memories and meaningful connections to people, places and events. When you try to let go of these items, you may feel an intense sense of loss, guilt or even grief—you are essentially releasing a part of your history. Unfortunately, without being able to cull items from your home, they can accumulate and create a cluttered situation. But with so much involved, how do you get rid of this sentimental clutter?

What is Sentimental Clutter?

Sentimental clutter refers to items that hold a special meaning or emotional connection. An item becomes sentimental when related to personal memories, experiences or significant events in your life. They bring back positive memories that makes them difficult to part with, even if they no longer serve a practical purpose in your life.

Over time, the accumulation of sentimental clutter can lead to disorganized and overwhelming living areas, making it difficult to find storage for them or navigate around them, and taking up valuable space. Your environment is no longer relaxing.

Some examples can include:

  • Childhood toys or games
  • Family heirlooms
  • Pictures and photo albums
  • Letters, cards and notes from loved ones
  • Mementos from travel and vacations
  • Arts and crafts made by children
  • Wedding and engagement rings
  • Clothing and accessories from special events
  • Awards and certificates

What Should I Keep?

The decision on what to keep depends on your personal preferences and the item’s emotional significance. Here are some guidelines on what to keep:

  • Items that bring you joy and have a strong emotional connection
  • Items with practical value like jewelry you wear regularly
  • Items with sentimental value to others such a gift from a loved one
  • Items with historical significance like old family photographs or letters that may be of interest to future generations

How to Remember Sentimental Items

It’s not necessarily the item itself, but the memories you want to preserve. To remember sentimental items you don’t want to keep, and hold on to them in different ways, try these ideas:

  • Take photographs before disposing of the items
  • Write a journal entry of your memories and associated thoughts, and make the journal the keepsake
  • Create a memory box for small items
  • Keep a digital record with scans or important documents or digital photographs
  • Share you stories with loved ones to keep the legacy alive
  • Repurpose items by turning them into something new, like making a quilt from old clothes or a piece of jewelry from broken pieces.

How Do I Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter?

What’s important is to evaluate the sentimental value of each item, and only keep those that hold real significance and bring joy. To help eliminate items, try these steps:

  • Separate items into categories such as sentimental value, practical value and emotional value.
  • Ask yourself if the item still holds sentimental value and brings joy to your life. If not, let it go.
  • Choose a course of action. Decide what you will do with each item: keep it, donate it, or toss it. Create bins for each category and place each item in its appropriate bin.
  • Store or display. For items you decide to keep, create dedicated storage or display areas to preserve them property and protect them from damage
  • Let go. Once you’ve made your decision to donate or toss, take action to let them go.

Related: 13 Tips on How to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter Without Feeling Guilty

A Junk Removal Company like 123JUNK Can Help You Release Sentimental Clutter

A junk removal company like 123JUNK provides a convenient and efficient solution for disposing of items you no longer need or want. Their services include:

  • Pick up/removal. Your junk removal company will come to your home and remove the items, saving you the time and energy of having to dispose of them yourself.
  • Respectful handling. At 123JUNK, we train our team members on courtesy and respect. They understand that getting rid of sentimental clutter is stressful, and that there are a lot of emotions involved. They know how to handle your objects carefully and respectfully to reduce the stress and emotional burden of letting them go.
  • Junk removal companies like 123JUNK also have a donation component, where perfectly-good items are delivered to local charity partners to be repurposed back into the community, or used to raise funds for charitable causes.
  • Based on an items suitability and usability, some items may be better off being recycled than donated or taken to the local landfill.
  • Peace of mind. Your junk removal service takes care of the entire process to ensure that your sentimental clutter is disposed of properly and ethically.

What’s most important is to be kind to yourself. Understand that handling sentimental items is emotional, but not disabling. Give yourself permission to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose in your life, and don’t feel guilty.

123JUNK: The First Choice for Junk Removal in NoVa, MD and DC

If your home is located in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC, contact 123JUNK. You’ll love the fact that you talk with a live person when you call, and that all our team members are trained to be courteous and respectful. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

When you call, learn about our 1-2-3 process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose, and our flat fee, all-inclusive pricing. Call us today at 1-800-364-5778 to schedule your junk removal pickup.

123JUNK-PG101-professional-development

To Grow Your Company, Develop Your Team!

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Our goal at 123JUNK is to be more than the top junk removal company—it’s to be the preeminent service organization in our region. Our first company value – “culture of excellence” – drives us to becoming the quality-of-service standard to which other businesses aspire. To get there, we believe in providing our team members with personal and professional growth opportunities.

We train our team to look beyond comparing our performance to other junk hauling companies. Our customers are comparing us to every other service provider that comes into their homes—plumbers, electricians, and more. Homeowners make judgments every day about how they are treated by a service organization. They know what they expect, and they can be delighted or disappointed by either the service or the service technician—or both!

We’ve earned all our five-star reviews and loyal referral partners because we’ve helped our team think beyond the task—to be more conscious of how we are presenting ourselves and to constantly improve.

Our Most Important Customer: Our Employees

We are so grateful for all the loyal customers we have serviced throughout the years, and for all our referral partners who know our quality and refer us without hesitation. We understand that to achieve this level of success, we need a happy, loyal, and talented workforce. This why Mallard Owen, Chief Operating Office, often states that “123JUNK’s most important customers are its employees.” And this is where we try to excel by investing in the growth of our team members. We take time when we hire, as we look for enthusiasm, drive, and, most importantly, a desire to learn and grow. Even interviews for our fleet team include “auditions”—working interviews where candidates can experience first-hand the quality we strive to achieve in all our jobs.

“Our culture is one of a learning organization. We want to give our team members something beyond the technical training aspect of their work; something that would help them become better contributors no matter where they work,” said Owen. It’s why he started the company’s “JUNK-U,” the internal brand under which employee training and development programs fall.

Related: 5 Reasons to Invest in Employee Development Now

PG101: Professional Growth

The first formal program that Owen developed for JUNK-U was a course called Professional Growth 101 (PG101). In this program, employees go on a journey of self-discovery and focused improvement. They learn more about who they are, their strengths, and personal accountability. From these insights, they explore ways to perform better, strengthen their personal brand, and bring even better value to any employer.

PG101 is voluntary and runs once per week for 12 sessions. To ensure the full and focused commitment of participants, enrollment begins with three documents: 1) a syllabus and overview of the course goals and participant expectations, 2) a code of conduct—how participants are expected to engage and interact within the program, and 3) a review and acknowledgement of key components to being a trusted employee.

“We pay attention to our team members, give them insights on how to reflect on their work, and provide them with a broader perspective on how people view them in terms of their brand/performance,” Owen said. “After one team member took our PG101 course, he realized how much he didn’t think about how his performance could affect or influence others, or how his behavior might cause a certain reaction in someone else.”

The group is small, with usually fewer than 6 team members. Participants are encouraged to grow by looking at their current performance/behaviors, and then deciding what they need to adjust to get to the next level. Between each session, they commit to working on a specific growth area, and then report back to the group on their progress. They learn to open up about what they are working on, not only with fellow PG101 participants, but also with other colleagues with whom they work on a daily basis, recruiting them to help assist with their improvement. They learn from and support each other, and listen to concerns or stories an individual might have. The learnings come as much from their stories and feedback from other participants as it is about “book learning.”

“When you realize that what you do will have an impact on and potentially change the mindset and behaviors of people around you, you can have a major impact on their lives and the success of the company,” Owen described. “How do you make that sustainable within the company? You just continue to develop the team. Their new and improved behaviors will take hold and spread within the organization—and more good things will happen.”

“What surprised me were the ripple effects of the program. The content is so valuable that it has impacted the lives of employees outside of the workplace. In addition, we’ve brought elements of the PG101 curriculum into other aspects of our organization, like our interview process, employee onboarding, and corporate retreats. It helps reinforce the lessons learned.”

The collaboration among the team members has also grown since the program’s inception, with everyone jumping in to help others with their work and their attitude. This raises the whole team, and impacts how we can accommodate our clients and provide exceptional service. “We have a great brand, and we try to reinforce the concept that when you are conscientious about helping others, they’re appreciative—whether it’s another team member where you jumped in to help, or a client struggling with disposal of a loved one’s estate,” Owen said.

Experience the 123JUNK Difference Yourself

123JUNK is on the path to becoming the leading junk removal company in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC because of our commitment to personal and professional growth. We’re a local company that is investing in its team and its community so that you can count on a wonderful experience, from your first phone call with a live representative to a friendly and responsible junk pickup. (Read Our Story.)

We invite you to experience the 123JUNK difference yourself. Contact us at 1-800-364-5778 to inquire about pricing, set your pickup appointment, or join our team!

Meet Nick Williams, Truck Lead and Customer Success Representative

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

We are pleased to introduce you to Nick Williams, another fantastic team member here at 123JUNK.  Learn a little about Nick and follow his journey.

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”  –Henry Ford

What is your role at 123JUNK?

During the work week I am mainly a truck lead, and on weekends I am a Customer Success Representative. I’m three days on the truck and two days in the office. As a truck lead, I am the spokesperson for the company when we meet with a client. I interact with the clients, keep things moving, and make sure the job gets done properly. On the weekends, I answer phones, make calls, and make sure every client has as great an experience as they can—even if they aren’t calling for a job.

What has your journey at 123JUNK been?

When I first started at 123JUNK I was a navigator. I sat in the passenger seat and followed instructions for the first couple of months. But I wanted to become a lead, and the company helped me progress. I became a lead pretty quickly after joining, then was given the opportunity to become a Customer Success Representative.

When did you start working there?

I started in July 2021, so it’s been over a year now.

What did you do before working at 123JUNK?

I worked at a moving company for a couple of years. I was a mover for a while, and then became a lead over there as well to make sure jobs went well. Working for a moving company prepared me for this job. Compared to working for the mover, which was more physically demanding, this seems like a cakewalk! My whole career so far has been in customer service in one way or another.

How did you hear about 123JUNK?

My mother is a Realtor locally. She had a couple of good experiences with the company, and told me about them.

Tell us about your background.

I was born in Fairfax, Virginia and lived here my whole life. I went to Chantilly High School, then Northern Virginia Community College in Sterling for 1 ½ years as a business administrator major. Then I started working and put school on hold. I will go back and finish eventually.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I enjoy working out, lifting weights, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. I also appreciate the outdoors and love to go hiking.

What is a fun fact about you?

I love motorcycles and trucks. I own a pickup truck and a Harley.

What is an important lesson you’ve learned while working at 123JUNK?

Every day will be different and as long as you keep pushing through, you’ll figure out a way to get through it. Keep a good attitude and every day you’ll find something to look forward to.

What advice would you give to someone just starting at 123JUNK?

Learn from your co-workers, from everyone who’s been here a while. They’ll show you the ropes. Keep pushing forward and you’ll figure it out, and then it all becomes second nature pretty quickly.

Any advice for someone looking to join 123JUNK?

You’re going to get dirty, but as long as you’re OK with that, you’ll be fine.

Working With 123JUNK is a Great Experience!

It’s the great people like Nick Williams who make both working at and working with 123JUNK such a great experience. We hope you get a chance to work with Nick too.

If you’d like to work at 123JUNK, visit our Job Openings.

To schedule a junk hauling appointment, contact our team at 1-800-364-5778 and speak with a live representative. We serve families and business owners throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Wheeler Business Development Manager at junk removal company in Northern Virginia

Meet Kevin Wheeler, Sales Manager

Posted on | by Chris Flook
Northern Virginia Junk Removal Business Development Manager with Mascot

 

Kevin Wheeler was just a 16-year-old high school student when his junkman career began. “When my brother Collin started 123JUNK, he didn’t give me much of a choice,” he explained. “He needed help and my friends and I were looking for jobs so he hired us. It was well paying, a good workout, I got to work with my friends, and it was a way for me to help my big brother.”

Kevin worked afternoons, weekends, and summer breaks through his high school and college years. Then after obtaining his degree in Business Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Radford University, he took a job working for the Federal Government in the human resources department for Fish and Wildlife Services.

“I quickly realized that line of work didn’t suit my personality; I’m much more a people person, and more sales driven,” he said. “Meanwhile, Collin had mentioned he was looking to hire someone with my personality type to help drive new business development, so I ended up taking the position to help expand 123JUNK into Maryland and DC.” That was in November 2014.

Eventually Kevin’s territory expanded to cover the whole DMV. Later he transitioned from a Client Relationship Executive to Business Development Manager to Sales Manager. Despite his growth, Kevin still jumps in where he is needed. You may find him assisting with a job in the field on Monday morning and sitting down for coffee or lunch with a referral partner or charity partner in the afternoon. You need humility in junk removal, a realty that Kevin is very familiar with.

“My dream is to keep moving up within the company. I’m proud to see the continued growth of our company and it’s people. It’s gratifying to know I played an important role in that expansion,” he explained. “The company is growing fast!”

Young Kevin Wheeler at Northern Virginia Junk Removal Company
Kevin posing in front of a truck in 2008.

Making a Difference

Outside of work and volunteering, Kevin loves to spend time with his wife, Julie and his dog, Bella. He also loves his sports teams, which include the Nationals, Wizards and The Commanders. He enjoys playing golf and basketball.

Kevin was raised in a family that valued volunteerism and uses his spare time to coach fifth-grade basketball and mentor a little brother through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and enjoys interacting with his own close family. During college, he also participated in at least one mission trip each summer and even had a pen pal since the second grade that he got to visit in Sierra Leone twice on these trips.

As for 123JUNK, “I never realized the magnitude to which our services free up peace of mind with our clients. You’d never think that hauling stuff from someone’s garage would make a difference, but it does,” Kevin said. “We hear this from our charity partners too; they are so grateful for the service we provide them. Being so involved, I get to see and hear the feedback firsthand.”

“Those measures we take to go above and beyond is what makes 123JUNK different,” he continued. “It starts with our hiring process, followed by consistent training. Our employees buy into our philosophy and our message and believe in the company’s culture and core values.”

Kevin Wheeler, Northern Virginia junk removal company business development manager, with Family

Contact 123JUNK

If you live or work in Northern Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., let 123JUNK make a difference in your life. Call today to schedule your appointment for junk, furniture, and appliance removal, or yard waste and debris cleanup from your home or office.

emotaional-clutter

How to Clear Emotional Clutter

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Physical clutter we all understand. It is the accumulation of too much stuff that we can see and feel. Emotional clutter is something altogether different, yet, similar in its own way. It is the accumulation of persistent negative thoughts or thought loops that can clutter our mind and drain our energy. Although you can’t call a junk hauling company (like 123JUNK) to haul it away, the good news is that there are ways to clear emotional clutter.

What is Emotional Clutter?

Emotional clutter is negative thoughts that are deep-seated beliefs about yourself, like “Nobody really loves me,” “I am terribly awkward talking with people,” “I’m not deserving,” or “I can’t do it.” Unfortunately, the more you let them clutter your mind, the deeper these thoughts seat themselves, like a bad habit, or grooves on a record that that plays over and over again.

How to Clear Emotional Clutter

The brain is an amazing instrument that can be reprogrammed. In scientific terms, this is called neuroplasticity, or “the brain’s ability to modify, change and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience,” according to a Frontiers in Psychology article.

Step One: Identify the Negative Thoughts

Each time you have a negative thought, acknowledge it. Write it down. Notice and record how often it appears. Think to yourself, “Is this really true?”

Step Two: Slowly Make Changes

You can’t just swing your thought to the opposite end of the spectrum. It won’t work. You have to take baby steps and look at the reality of the situation. If your thought is “Nobody really loves me,” take a count of all the people that really do care about you and create a new script like “My spouse and children love me, and I am lovable.” It is OK to also include yourself in those who love you, as in “I love who I am.” Work on one negative thought at a time.

Step Three: Create New Grooves

Every time you have a repeating negative thought, replace it with the new thought. The more you retrain your brain, the fewer times the negative thought will reappear. Consciously repeat the new thought, even when the negative thought isn’t appearing. Say it out loud, and repeat it often, like when you’re taking a walk, driving or in front of the mirror.

Step Four: Be Kind to Yourself

It takes time to reprogram negative thoughts, so be compassionate to yourself and remember your own worth. Create a strong support system of people who can reiterate and reinforce your new, positive thoughts.

Once you are able to clear negative thoughts, you will feel lighter and more freedom than ever before. These thoughts are not facts. They are merely thoughts. Visualize a path to a new outcome and repeat that image until it becomes the new reality. As you clear emotional clutter, you are able to make better decisions about everything, leading to a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Want to know more? Here are several books designed to help clear emotional clutter:

Clearing Emotional Clutter: Mindfulness Practices for Letting Go of What’s Blocking Your Fulfillment and Transformation, by Donald Altman, 2016.

Emotional clutter—the equivalent of a jam-packed closet in your mind—has been proven to block success in professional and personal lives. It can results from hidden pains and traumas and creates toxic patterns. The author helps you identify what you’re holding on to and how to cleanse, heal or accept old wounds, mistakes and disappointments.

Clutter Busting Your Life: Clearing Physical and Emotional Clutter to Reconnect with Yourself and Others, by Brooks Palmer, 2012.

Keeping things you no longer need can keep you from experiencing the joy of connection. The author discusses how we use clutter to protect ourselves, control others and cling to the past, and how to not only clear clutter but enjoy deeper, more authentic relationships.

Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui: Free Yourself from Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Clutter Forever, by Karen Kingston, 2016.

This author claims that clutter is stuck energy that has far-reaching effects beyond the stuff, and causing effects to the body, mind, emotions and spirit. She covers why people keep clutter, how it stagnates your life, and how to clear it quickly and effectively.

Clear Clutter in MD, DC and Northern VA with 123JUNK

Did you know that emotional clutter can lead to physical clutter? When you’re ready to clear the clutter out of your home or office, contact 123JUNK. We’ll be glad to remove junk, furniture, appliances, household goods and use our 1-2-3 process to Donate-Recycle-Dispose of them in the best and most eco-friendly ways possible. We’ll also do a complete cleanout of your property if needed.

For junk hauling in Maryland, Washington DC or Northern Virginia, contact 123JUNK.

collectibles-worth

What Are My Collectibles Worth?

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

For generations, people have collected items that were considered to be “collectibles,” with plans that they would become more valuable with age. The homes of Baby Boomers are filled with them. As people are now trying to cash in on their collectives, they are finding their value has not increased as expected, leaving them to wonder, “What are my collectibles worth?”

Time was, creating collections would have been a good plan. However, today’s younger generations are going more minimalist, and have little to no interest in them. That means the collectibles’ worth is much lower than expected. In some cases, there may not be anything but sentimental value left.

Here are some of the more common collectibles markets and their current worth:

Figurines

Hummel figurines were immensely popular at the end of World War II, as the soldiers stationed in West Germany began sending them home as gifts and souvenirs, and after the figures began to be sold by the Army PX system. In addition to the traditional M.I. Hummel figurines, special limited editions also became popular for collecting. Once sold at a handsome price—often hundreds of dollars—they can be worth far less. The same fate has befallen the once-popular Precious Moments figurines. Other than the “Original 21” that are considered to be “vintage,” they are also greatly discounted.

China Patterns

Owning a set of fine china was once a status symbol among families, and acquiring a full set was quite the investment. Some of the more popular china patterns included Wedgwood, Lenox and Royal Copenhagen. Now, you can find full china sets at thrift stores and estate sales for as little as $200 typically. Other than for family nostalgia, they are often unwanted by modern generations.

Longaberger Baskets

Collecting Longaberger baskets was once the rage, but after sales declined, the company closed its doors in 2018. In 2019, the company was acquired by Xcel Brands and the brand was relaunched, but without the provenance it formerly had. Once sold at more than $100, Longaberger baskets are often sold for $10 or less at thrift stores and yard sales.

Miscellaneous Collectibles

You still can see advertisements from companies like the Bradford Exchange and Franklin Mint selling commemoratives and coins. Yet, like the other collectible markets, the value of these items has not increased as originally forecast.

There are Still Collectibles with Great Worth

Yet with collectibles markets down, there are still treasures to be found. You’ve certainly seen them revealed—often to the surprise of the owner—on TV shows like Antiques Roadshow. Rare items and specific characteristics can certainly add to an item’s value. Before disposing of an item, check its label, name and identification marks. What your collectibles are worth still may be high, depending upon market demand.

Your Collectibles are Worth Sharing With Others. Please Donate.

At 123JUNK, we collect more than junk. Homeowners throughout Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland often entrust us with their high-end furnishings and collectibles like unused sets of china to donate them to places where their value can be put to good use. It’s part of our Donate-Recycle-Dispose process.

When you have items that you know have worth and are in good condition, but you no longer want or need them, consider donating them to one of our charitable partners. There, they will be issued to families in need or sold to raise funds for local charity programs.

Many families don’t want to deal with the hassle of an estate or yard sale, the time and effort of delivering items themselves to a charity, or the convolutions of selling these items online, so they call 123JUNK.

We carefully load your donated items into our big red truck and safely deliver them to the charity partners with which we are affiliated. We also provide you with a receipt of your donation for tax purposes.

Even though your family’s collectibles’ worth may not be what is was expected when originally purchased, these items still have great value in your local community. Consider donating them through 123JUNK.

For donations and other junk removal, contact 123JUNK.

close up of many solar panels outside in the sun

Washington DC is One of the Greenest Cities in the World

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Did you know that Washington DC was the first LEED Platinum City in the world!  In 2017 it was awarded the LEED for Cities Certification, an honor given to cities containing the most green buildings and sustainable building initiatives. For a world capital, the District of Columbia is surprisingly green! But it didn’t happen by accident. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the city chose to leverage technology and data to achieve resiliency and sustainability goals to create a healthy and safe community.

According to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), “The LEED platform recognizes the outcomes of a city’s leadership in creating a sustainable and resilient-built environment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support clean energy innovation, and focus on inclusive prosperity and livability in all eight wards.”

One example is the American Geophysical Union (AGU) headquarters, with its net zero energy renovation. The energy used to power the building and activities within is the same or less than energy generated onsite through renewable energy. This building has 700 solar panels installed on the roof and a rainwater collection system. Another example is the Discovery School in Arlington, VA, Virginia’s first net zero energy building, with 1706 solar panels on its roof to help power its 100% LED lighting.

Even More Greenest Honors

Washington DC/Arlington/Alexandria also came in third place as one of the greenest American cities with more than 1 million people on a ListShack survey, just behind number one Austin/Round Rock, Texas and Portland, Oregon. Cities were rated based on five “green points:” the number of LEED-certified buildings (per 1,000 residents); the percentage of parkland; miles of bike lanes (per 10,000 residents); the number of farmer’s markets (per 10,000 residents); and the quantity of electric car plug-in locations (per 10,000 residents).

And in 2021, Washington, DC appeared in the 7th position in the Greenest Cities in America list provided by WalletHub, based on 28 key indicators of environmental friendliness and sustainability that promote a green lifestyle.

Other Greenest Initiatives

Washington DC was the first city in North America to institute a bikeshare system—Capital Bikeshare, and more than 60% of travel around the city is done by bicycle, walking or public transport, where many of the buses run on alternative fuels.

DC’s food scene is also green. You’ll find “farm to table” restaurants and hotels featuring their own gardens and beehives to supply food, and with access to farmer’s markets, locally-sourced foods and beverages are often found on the menu. Catering companies switched from single-use cutlery to reusable or biodegradable options, plastic and paper bags received a surcharge, and polystyrene food packaging and cartons were banned.

Another initiative, DC’s RiverSmart program, gives financial rebates to property owners who use rain barrels and rain gardens, shade trees and green roofs to capture water. These enable rainwater to stay on site and soak into the ground where pollutants are removed by natural processes. The program was initiated to help reduce stormwater runoff that can harm both DC’s waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

123JUNK is Committed to “Going Green”

At 123JUNK, we founded our business with environmental sustainability at the forefront of our mission. We like to think we’re the “greenest” junk removal company in our area! Our 3-step “Donate-Recycle-Dispose” process helps keep items out of area landfills, and often recirculates them back into the community through our charitable partners.

Learn more about our 1-2-3 junk disposal process and our convenient flat-fee pricing, and contact 123JUNK when you need to clear out your home or office. There’s no need to sort items in advance; our team is glad to do that for you. Just point us towards the items you’d like to donate or remove and we’ll do the rest.

For the greenest, most environmentally-friendly Junk Removal in DC, Northern VA and MD, contact 123JUNK.

two woman working at a table with text on the left

Partner Spotlight: Christina Bond, Creating Space DC

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Meet our Partner – Christina Bond, owner of Creating Space DC

We’d like to introduce you to another great partner of 123JUNK. In this post, you’ll meet an organizing expert who helps homeowners declutter and keep only those items that “spark joy” utilizing Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method.

Tell us about what you do at Creating Space DC.

I help people declutter. I’m called a professional organizer, but if people that call me don’t say anything about needing to declutter first, before we organize, then I refer them to one of my organizing colleagues. My passion is helping my clients take a fresh look at what they have, where the clutter builds up, and why it is still there. Hopefully, we get some insights into why the clutter accumulated in the first place, which is a long-term solution rather than a quick fix. I am certified by Marie Kondo’s organization to coach people through the KonMari Method.

What is your background?

I was in the Navy and attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, after which I served on a cruiser and an aircraft carrier. With Creating Space DC, I’m a Certified KonMari Master Consultant. To earn my certification, I took a three-day training in person, and after the training session we had to submit reports on practice clients for at least 30 hours until the organization felt satisfied that we were staying true to the KonMari Method. Then, I had a written test and an interview. I continue to submit reports and moved up through the certification levels, based on the number of hours put into teaching the KonMari Method. I now have more than 1,500 hours in client sessions to date.

How did you get interested in this business?

My interest started with the KonMari Method. I heard about it on Facebook from a friend who posted a picture of her stuff going out the door. Then I read Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in the airport on the way home from a yoga retreat. It was powerful for me. By the time I arrived home, I had a few pages of notes full of things I wanted to get out of my house, so I did the process on my own home. I loved it so much that I created my own business helping other people through the method. I’m also interested in Japanese culture having lived in Japan and studying there in high school.

Did you have any insights when decluttering your own home?

I actually got stuck partway through the KonMari Method in the paper category. I wished I had a coach to help me through that. I ended up getting through it because I signed up for Marie Kondo’s training and had to complete my own tidying marathon.

What is the KonMari Method?

There are two things that distinguish the KonMari Method from other organizing methods. First is the idea of sorting and organizing by category and not by location. It’s not “I need help with the basement.” Rather, you look at categories, like books, clothes, and papers, for example. Once you start pulling the categories together, storage areas eventually get resolved. The second distinguishing characteristic is the very simple decision-making criteria: Does it spark joy? I have people touch each item and then ask themselves, “Does it lift my energy, or do I feel ‘ugh’ about it?” Then I start asking questions like “Would you pack it for a vacation?” or “When was the last time you used it?”

Marie Kondo has a particular KonMari folding method. Do you teach that?

Yes. I show my clients how to fold items and put them away using that method, but I don’t push that point if they don’t want to do it.

Do you help with downsizing?

Sometimes. But if people are thinking about moving, they have to work with me in advance. If they’re just about to move, it’s too late to do the type of editing we do.

How did you meet 123JUNK?

I joined the local NAPO chapter (National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals) where 123JUNK is a business partner. I heard about them at one of the monthly meetings, had a client who needed their services, and I suggested them. When I reached out, I got a great and quick response. They gave me an idea of pricing right away so I could tell my client during our session. The client used them and the job went well.

Do you have a favorite story about 123JUNK?

My client had ordered a lot of things online and had never even taken the items out of the boxes. There were piles of unopened boxes in several different rooms. I helped the client to open the boxes and when we did, there was a lot of cardboard to get rid of. We also decluttered the home and had a pile of both trash and donations. It filled half the garage. When 123JUNK came, they were able to take the cardboard for recycling, the trash and the donations all at one time. 123JUNK is always responsive—I get a quick response, which I appreciate. And after the job, they emailed to thank me for the referral.

What is your favorite part of your business?

I get to see a range of people, and everyone is so different. I love hearing their personal stories. Some people are extremely organized and have just accumulated items over the years and it’s time to go through them. Others are very disorganized and have lots of things. I enjoy the feeling of helping them get unstuck, at whatever place they are, and feeling like I’ve made a difference in moving their lives forward.

What region do you work in?

I live close to Union Station in Washington, DC and I like to work within a 25-mile radius from downtown DC.

What do you do when not working?

I’m passionate about yoga and taught yoga classes for years. I spend time with my family—my husband, my nine-year-old son, and a pandemic puppy. I also like traveling and am planning trips for later this year.

What’s one thing you would like people to know about Creating Space DC?

What I do takes a little more time than, say, a team that spends eight hours organizing everything in a house. I work one on one with clients to make decisions about decluttering. They have to be there and engage in the process. I consider this a longer-term solution. It doesn’t make sense to me to invest time and money into organizing the clutter nicely just to have it accumulate again. When my clients are engaged in the process themselves they get a chance to confront the underlying cause of the clutter. Because people tend to procrastinate, I’d encourage them to set a date with me, and that will help them get started.

headshot of man smiling widely on the left with text on the right

Meet Paul Brown, Customer Success Representative

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

“If you think you can do it, you can.”  — John Burroughs

We all love it when somebody new joins the 123JUNK team, and we are pleased to introduce you to Paul Brown, our Customer Success Representative.

What is your role at 123JUNK?

I am a CSR team member—a Customer Success Representative. I am a contact point for anyone who calls in—from inquiries, information or to schedule a pickup, to compliments after the service.

How long have you been with 123JUNK?

About two months.

How did you hear about 123JUNK and why did you choose to work here?

I was searching for a way to escape waiting tables. I wanted to use more of my head than my back.  I found 123JUNK on Indeed, and then went through the recruiting process. I liked Dave Echeverria (our Director of Talent Acquisition) and the culture surrounding the team, and then I was on the truck for a few days and got to see what it was like for and with them.

How did you know it was the right fit?

I knew it on my first time interacting with the team past the interview process—getting out there with the people doing this job every day. When I met them, I could see what they were like, and I knew I would enjoy working here.

What is your favorite thing about the company?

Probably the team. I haven’t met anyone I don’t like. They are all easy to talk to. It’s a pretty down-to-earth team.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?

The devil is in the details—details do count for a lot. It can mean the difference between a smooth, happy day and being frustrated and only looking forward to going home at the end of the day. It’s important to ask the right questions and clarify the situation the team will be going into. It’s not easy working the truck, so the better picture I can create for them before they arrive on site, the more smoothly the job will go.

What three words best describe you?

Creative. Determined. Meticulous. I like to see how things work and function the way they do.

What did you do before you worked here?

I have had multiple jobs, but worked most recently as a server in a restaurant. I have an Associate’s Degree from Northern Virginia Community College and a number of certifications. I’ve been a licensed insurance agent, have Solar Energy, A+ and Network+ Tech Certifications, installed telecom PBS systems, and even worked as a locksmith for a while.

Where did you grow up?

My parents were in the Army, but I spent most of my years here in Virginia. My parents live in Manassas and I have a brother and his fiancé in Nokesville.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like spending time with my fiancé and we look forward to moving ahead in life together. I also write science fiction novels and have self-published two: “Search for Sol” and “Durenda’s Stand.” It was a lot of work and it felt like a big accomplishment when they were finally published. As a teen, I thought I would be a rock star and played with different bands around the area. I love to play guitar and like it when I have a captive karaoke audience.

One last question…do you have a personal motto or mantra?

“Fortune favors the bold.” That means to be bold in what you think you can achieve in and of yourself. Don’t count yourself out before there is a reason. Be bold and go after things.

123JUNK. The leading choice for junk removal in Northern VA, Washington DC and Maryland.

We hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Paul Brown. If you’d like to work here at 123JUNK, check out our current job openings.

When you’re ready to schedule junk removal from your home or office, contact 123JUNK at 1-800-364-5778.

five-star-review

Read What Our Clients Love About 123JUNK

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Our goal is nothing less than a five-star review, and guess what…we’ve been getting lots of them! Homeowners and business owners throughout Northern Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland have been highly satisfied with the service they receive from 123JUNK. But don’t take our word for it… read what our clients love about 123JUNK!

Service was wonderful from start to finish

“Service was wonderful from start to finish. I really love their 1-2-3 Process. Any junk you want removed will either go to one of their many local donation partners or recycled as much as possible (reducing landfill waste). Remaining items that could not be donated and recycled get hauled away as safely and carefully as possible.”  — Kimberly J., Chantilly, VA

123JUNK is the best

“123JUNK is the best junk removal company/services. Everything was easily handled from initial contact to the actual pickup. The two gentlemen were on time (even early), professional, courteous and friendly. In addition to great service, the pricing can’t be eat. And it is always great to give a local business our business. I will definitely recommend 123JUNK.”  — Doug S., Gaithersburg, MD

I would definitely use them again

“We used 123JUNK for an office space clean-out of many cubes/office suites of furniture and miscellaneous items. They were on time, efficient, polite and so helpful. They even moved some other items for me once they were on site. Would definitely use them again for the other side of our office during our Phase 2 renovation.”  — Heather K.

I have referred them to my clients

“I have used 123JUNK for years and have referred them to my clients to help get houses ready for marketing, and/or to move furniture for staging. They are fantastic to work with. Just ask them if you have a specific charity you want to donate to, or if they can just take things away, and they will let you know what options work best. I’m happy to use them time and time again.”  — Dianne H.

We were so pleased with how responsive, professional and smooth everything was

“We used 123JUNK and we were so pleased with how responsive, professional and smooth everything was. I spoke to two individuals prior to our actual furniture pick-up date and they were both very helpful in explaining the pricing structure, what to expect the day of, and scheduling us in. I would definitely use 123JUNK again in the future due to the ease and their professionalism.”  — Jackie B., Lorton, VA

I’m a fan for life

“I’m a 123JUNK fan for life!” – Gretchen F., Falls Church, VA

I like their goal to reduce landfill waste

“I like that the items being picked up from home will be donated first to many local donation partners. If it can’t be donated, they take care to ensure that as many items are recycled as possible. I like their goal to reduce landfill waste. Thank you so much for all of your help. I’ve already recommended you to all of my family and friends!”  — Bernadeth T.

No surprise fees

“This is a very impressive business. They’re easy to work with, polite, careful with the house and furniture, prompt and up front about everything they do and don’t do. No surprise fees. I have used them twice and I would definitely use them again and refer them to friends.”  — Stephanie W.

I would use them again in a heartbeat

“It was a delight working with [123JUNK] and I would use them again in a heartbeat. Great company.”  — Kim D.

I needed a couple of strong backs

“123JUNK is amazing. I needed a couple of strong backs to move the contents of a 26-foot-long U-Haul truck into my house. They got the whole job done in 90 minutes and were as energetic in minute 89 as they were in minute 1. This was a great experience and I recommend 123JUNK for anyone needing junk removal or help loading (or unloading) a moving truck.”  — John M.

Our Clients Love 123JUNK–The Leading Choice for Junk Removal in NoVA, DC and MD

Although we really love to read your reviews and testimonials about our people, our services, our customer service and our commitment to the environment, we must remember to remain humble. We are only as good as our next job. We constantly train and strive towards excellence in everything we do, and we hope it shows. Our clients think so.

To schedule your junk removal in Maryland, Washington DC or Northern Virginia, please contact 123JUNK. And don’t forget to leave your own 5-star review! We’d like to read what you love about 123JUNK.