Raise Your Hand If You Love Trash Day

Jena Muhr compares the relief she feels on her weekly trash day to the feeling of freedom and forgiveness after the sacrament of Confession. 

I love trash day. In our neighborhood, every Wednesday the trash truck comes and takes away all the things that we no longer need, no longer use, and no longer want. This is different than when we take things to the charity donation center. These are things that are still useful and can be used by someone else, but they no longer need to be used by us. The things going into the trash truck are just what the name suggests: trash.

Having a full trashcan on trash day is something that brings me a sign of relief that I did all the things needed within the house. Emptied all the trashcans and went through all the things that needed sorting; as a family of 6 it isn’t hard to fill the bin most weeks. However, an overflowing trash can three days out from trash day brings me nothing but stress and worry. What if we need more space? What if a critter or the dog gets into the trash and makes a mess? Aaahhhh ... where would we put the stinky diapers?!?! 

As a mom, I remember how trash day is a day that my children when they were toddlers would always look forward to. We would try to time our morning walks to coincide with the trash truck's arrival and wave to the truck drivers and see how many times we could run into them within a couple of miles. Some days we would get a wave, and other days we would score a honk. But on the best days, the driver would make the trash can do a couple extra shakes just for our enjoyment. Such a simple joy that I remember enjoying as a child myself. 

I breathe a sigh of relief when I see the empty bin by our curb. It is as if all the things that had built up around the house and cluttered our bathrooms, kitchen and my thoughts are heading blissfully to the dump and away from me. It is as if the slate is being wiped clean and ready to start a new week. It is amazing how such a small change can make such a difference in my feelings of stress and ability to manage all the things.

In much the same way as trash day, as Catholics, Confession is a trash day for our souls. It is the day that through the priest, Jesus will take away our sins and move them to the dump and away from us. This leaves us blissfully quiet, with peace in our hearts and ready to being anew. The bin has been emptied and is ready for the next move, although the goal here is to not let it get filled again. 

Getting to the point of an overflowing bin before we’ve made it to Confession is not a good place to be. It can be uncomfortable, frustrating and stressful. What led us to this point? This can be a good time to pause and reflect, to take into account what has led us to this point and what changes we can make in our lives to keep the bin at a manageable and regularly-emptied level.

We are all in need of our trash days, and should have them regularly, both at home and in our hearts. It does us tremendous good to go through all of the things that have built up within us and our homes and deposit it away from us. Be sure to thank the priest or trash truck driver who takes them away!

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Copyright 2026 Jena Muhr
Images: Canva