Lent only began a few days ago, but it’s not too late to think about what you want to give up for Lent. Lent is supposed to be a difficult time. It’s a period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. People tend to go for the “easier-hard” things, like giving up sweets or tv. Now I am going to give you ideas of what you can give up or do for lent. I’ve never been a fan of “giving things” up, but rather, adding things in. Lent is about sacrifice and bringing yourself closer to God. So, without further ado, here is a list of things you give up or can do as your Lenten sacrifice.
- Read a chapter of the Bible everyday
- Limit your screen time to an hour a day
- Cook instead of eating out
- Go on a spending ban/limit
- Give up social media (basic, I know)
- Give up Snacking between meals
- Give up Sugar
- Show more mercy
- Give up complaining
- Give up sarcasm (this one is hard)
- Drink more water
- Bless your family everyday
- Pray for those who have hurt you
- Pray for the souls in purgatory everyday
- Spend one hour with God
- Listen to spiritual music
- Give up secular music
- Do an extra chore
- Stop being so hard on yourself
- Stop lying
- Stop saying yes to everything.
- Plan ahead – God gave us the gift of time!
- Stop hiding your faith.
- Give worrying up to God.
- Stop stressing (Obviously this is easier said than done)
- Give up meat all of Lent.
- Give up your favorite food
- Give up the word “hate”
- Say bye to jealousy
- Write in your journal
- Thank God everyday
- Practice gratitude
- Stop eating fast food
- No more procrastinating (again, easier said than done)
- Partake in a Lenten photo challenge
- Ask your followers how you can pray for them
- Pray and read about one station of the cross each day.
- Choose a word to focus on throughout lent
- Give up wearing makeup for all of Lent
- Try to be 5 minutes early everywhere you go
- Take 10 minutes a day for self-care
- Pray the rosary everyday
- Say “Jesus I trust in you” 500 times/day (this one is hard)
- Listen to the Pray as you Go app everyday
- Donate $1 to $5 a day to your favorite charity
- Give up cursing
- Fast from alcohol
- Try to get to mass every Sunday
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Remember you are created in God’s image and likeness. Surrender yourself to Him.
Happy Lent!