Will you be giving anything up for Lent? ♥️

No. I was raised as a RC but now have my own principles for a good life
We were taught by nuns and had all these "rules" to follow as children

I have given up cake, but I like Sealover’s idea of doing something more positive throughout Lent.

I'm afraid my effort is in the same direction as last year - too try to be less 'quick' to anger. A thing I mention to NO ONE. If you are considering the Lent season, its useful to look at your weaknesses and try to moderate them.

The idea of focusing on food has many roots - the old Fast Day ideas, the fact that by this time of year in pre-industrial times few foods were available (not for nothing is the season called 'the hungry gap' by growers), but at the moment not so relevant for us. Of course if food is your problem then it is a good opportunity to look at changes.

I am not into Religious stuff at all and don't get me started on Easter with all these cute chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs. To me Lent and giving up something is rather weak, its not hard to give up a bar chocolate for a period of time. If you became diabetic you would have to give it up for ever, and that is hard. So no I won't give up anything in the name of Lent.

No..... another atheist here.

Gave up alcohol 20 years ago for lent just to prove to family I could(went to AA). Made list for Easter Sunday big drink day. Still have list, still not reached Easter Sunday and this year feel very proud of my self not quite AA teaching but hay ho

The only thing I ever gave up (and stuck to forever) for Lent was as a teen when I gave up sugar in coffee or tea. If I am giving anything up I don’t need to tell anyone-although telling does help you stick to a decision.

I'll be using it as an excuse to give up unhealthy food and maybe (most) alcohol in an attempt to lose the winter weight.

I am a church-goer and struggle to ‘give something up’ for Lent because I don’t eat/drink/obsess about anything. So, I try to do a good deed every day during Lent - it’s harder than you may think, as it’s not just a case of helping an old lady across the road!

Graygirl congratulations! Good for you for sticking with it.

Our vicar has just suggested, at our Ash Wednesday service, that whatever we do we should try to make it something that improves the relationships between people.

You don't have to be religious to do that.

Saw an idea that everyday of Lent, you take something out of a wardrobe, draw or cupboard (doesn't have to be clothing) that you no longer want or need, put it in a bag and at the end give it to a charity or organisation that needs or can use it.

Seems more like decluttering than abstinence!

Put an item of clothing no longer wanted into a bag each day during Lent . At the end you have a bag of clothes to give to a charity of your choice. It benefits the charity and helps thin out your wardrobe.

Not religious, but may do what I read on FB; our local foodbank suggests putting an item in a box every day for 40 days and then dropping it off at theirs, and I also saw a suggestion for making up a bag every day of things you no longer need or want and then taking 40 bags along to your local charity shop. Both of those suggestions would surely fulfil any religious need at the same time as benefiting those in need.

I believe fasting is good for the soul and it helps me through self denial to be kinder and to stop putting my needs first. It’s not just a religious thing but more s spiritual time to take time out and re assess values. I am going to be kinder to hubby

I haven’t got a soul but like many other people, I support my local food bank every single week regardless of any religious calendar.

I don't eat chocolate so can't give that up. I think it will be wine. Won't give up an occasional glass of brandy though....hahaha

Lenten sacrifice replicates the account of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's journey into the desert for 40 days but if you don't want to give up anything it is good to perhaps go out of our way to do some extra kindness.
I went past the Sinai desert a few years back and when you see it for real it helps you realize just how awful walking in it must be, especially for 40 days. Miles and miles of sand with the hot sun beating down upon you.

I look at the number of homeless sitting in doorways in the street and think how fortunate I am to have a roof over my head. Taking time to perhaps make a sandwich and give it to them, if you don't want to give money.

There are many kindnesses we can do!

I’ve just eaten a bag of Hula Hoops so it can’t be crisps then!
?
Or coffee ...

I always give up chocolate during Lent - just to prove to myself that I can do it. I love the stuff and not a day goes by without my fix so it is hard to go without whoever on this thread said it wasn’t. Also useful to know it can be done if I ever have to give it up because of health reasons. The other reason is that a good number of my nearest and dearest are Muslims and how they survive Ramadan when it falls during the summer months to me is awesome. It’s my way of taking my turn!

Mince pies. I do it every year.

Gray girl, congratulations on your 20 years, mine will be 22 years this year. Now have to sort out the chocolate, crisps, cake and biscuits. Today is a good day to start for me.

Being taught by a mix of nuns and RC teachers lent and advent was a big deal. I would give up orange smarties!. Sister John in particular would spend hours (or seemed like hours) banging on about our souls being ready if we died tomorrow.

I can remember walking through a field and picking out the red smarties to eat first in case God struck me down before I got to them.

My now SIL started at the RC school when she was 7 and was so traumatised that she had to see a psychiatrist. Not the done thing back in the 50s.

I only had sweets on Fridays (pay day)!

The food bank idea sounds good.

I totally forgot about pancakes as GSs no longer come here after school on Tuesdays. Will have to commence with Shrove Wednesday instead. OH not keen so I will have to eat his!

Oh I loved your comment pen50! My best giggle of the day so far!
I might join you.

It is not really for Lent as I'm not Christian and I actually began on February 18th as was a bit keen . I'm doing Dechox in aid of The British Heart Foundation.
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/vicky-ayech2

I will still do 31 days, as March is 31 days. So I have already done 9! It's surprising how many things I usually eat have some chocolate in them. No choc digestives.