Five minute free write - Yard Sale
Happy Monday everyone!
I have to say, this focus hits spot on for me today for so many different reasons. A huge part of why I decided to jump into the deep end with Steemit was a way to finally get out the huge clutch of memories that have never seen the light of day. Years of my life, thousands of thousands of miles traveled, and experiences which made me into the person I am, have lingered in the dark, just waiting to be told. Like all those old things in the basement hidden in boxes. My memories. I jokingly say that I'm doing all this writing for myself...but, in so many ways it's the truth.
So, when @mariannewest posted 'Yard Sale' for this mornings Five minute free write I chuckled for a couple minutes. It wasn't at all hard for me to link together concepts. How well I did it I'll leave up to you.
If you're wondering why I chose a pic of a train in winter, it's from one of my stories that I'll tell someday soon. From a mountain hot spring town called Gero. I found it last night on an hold hard drive. I used to go there quite a bit to camp and chill when I needed a minute away from the world.
So, without further ado... :)
Piled high on tables.
Stacked roughly in boxes. Strewn about randomly. Thoughtfully sorted in a system only 1 person understands. Tagged, untagged. Prices determined at a whim. Things you want, things you don't want. Cleaning house.
Junk to some, treasure to others. An X marked on a map for those who may desire to browse through someones history.
That's what it is, a look through someones past.
Thrown out into the public for all to view. The childhood teddybear, a well-worn couch blanket, an old TV, games that built their youth. Strangers dig through it all in search of their own future.
A mind must do this. Sell the old to make way for the new. Holding on forever to the bric-a-brak only clutters. Each of those tagged (and untagged) things, bits of physicality, a weight preventing movement.
Memories are good.
They provide foundation, traction, defnition. But, moving forward is impossible when the things that created them begins to clutter, to fill up, to keep new from being brought in.
Putting them out on display for others to browse through is a difficult time. But to move forward it must be done.
When I write I'm having my own 'Yard Sale.'
It may be a case of mixed metaphors or something, but that's how I feel. I'm 'selling' my stories so that I can uncluttered my mind, the prices undetermined, and those who read looking to make their own future with them. My memories of those times remain, but the physical remnant no longer clutters. The space now freed, I'm able to move forward. Hopefully...
Written on the unforgiving bastard of a website The most dangerous writing app
Thank you for stopping by and reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts :)
Michael
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Thanks so much for sharing the brief introduction at the beginning of your post! The best writing comes from genuine honesty! I'm looking forward to reading more about your experiences =)
I decided to take a crack at today's prompt using The Most Dangerous Writing App as well! It was a bit terrifying to think I could lose my work at any moment but it really kept me in the spirit of the #freewrite! Anyways, here's my post! Let me know in the comments what you think =)
Lol, that app is really, really, scary the first time you use it. But, it helps you really move. No pausing for ten minutes to think out the next point. It's like *write or die! lol. Thanks for stopping by. I'll check your free write out now. :)
Wow, nice piece, good job
Thanks for dropping by and reading :)
I love the way you structure this piece. It's quite thoughtful. You have established a definitive image in the beginning, and then transfer it to the abstract (mind; memories) in such a clever way.
Thanks :) It's not an easy process, like ironing a wrinkled shirt. And the time forces you to do it fast, hehe.
Oh that's very good and has made me think about why I joined Steemit. What I do remember is that it coincides with a 20th anniversary of a tragic event. I was writing as a form of therapy.
Mmm, yes, writing as a form of therapy, I couldn't agree more. when it feels like no one is listening and no one is around, you should still speak. I tried to get some of my black thoughts out last night with a poem, but had to switch to drawing instead. Maybe I'll share those someday, hehe.
Have you written about that tragedy? And, why did you join Steemit? Really curious :)
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
I found myself sorting through memories when I saw today's prompt! Writing for ourselves is good therapy - sharing with others is bonus!
Exactly! I think people have so much they never talk about, but which makes up the core of who they are, and writing allows people the opportunity to share that stuff.
haha these timed writing things are wild, good job , keep up the good work!!
...and very addictive, hehe. Thanks for dropping by and reading! :)
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I like that idea!1 To declutter one's mind by writing story....
Writing can definitely be a way to clear out the old stuff :) I never really got a chance to tell all my travel stories so that's what I'm starting with here.