Lent, what if anything are you giving up?

I am going to try fasting from using the internet on phone or iPad on Wednesdays and Fridays and engage in more spiritual meditations in RC faith. I think not using internet will be harder than fasting from chocolate or cake, neither of which I should be eating anyway due to diabetes. 🙏

I've heard some wonderful ideas here, and many of you are thinking about giving up things that I'm giving up or have given up. You'd be surprised how easy it is to give up alcohol once you just decide to do it. For all the worriers out there, there is a book about St Teresa of Avila and her constant prayer and struggle to surrender her life to God. She has a nine day novena, a very short prayer for 9 days, in which she prays always to let God handle things. I'm a worrier and a plan B person, and I'm trying to give up my fretting ways, and let God do it. I'm trying to have more faith. I have the faith, it's just that I really think He needs my help, but in truth, He seems to be doing well on His own. Lots going on in our household, so it's a bit of a trying time, but every day I do pray that after I've done my bit, I can let go and give it to Him. I don't think of it as a religious thing. I think of it as a thing that we do to commemorate the sacrifice God made, and to practice a little self-mortification is not a bad thing.

Even for the non religious it's no bad thing to either give up something that you are a bit addicted to or cut it down, or take up something that does good to you, your community or family. Doesn't have to be choc or booze etc, it could be a commitment to eat a more frugal meal, so many times a week, if you put the amount not spent, if it is a thing that costs, into a piggy bank you could donate to a good cause of your choice come Easter. You could take up going for a 20 min walk or studying something or even as I did one year, declutter the house using 40 bags, I used supermarket carrier bags but other sizes are available if you have loads of decluttering to do. I don't know what project you've been putting off that really you ought to do, maybe 20 mins weeding or doing a random act of kindness every day, or putting by 40 items for the food bank.
Remember, Sundays don't count even if you are not religious!

I dont give up anything unless it serves me in some way. Everything I have I have earned.

I’m with you Hetty. Given up too much in my life already , to mostly ungrateful people…..so now I live on my own ….no more giving up what I want.!

Kate1949

I'm 73. I'm giving up nowt.

😂 love it!

Mollygo

I’m evidently giving up peppers, cucumber and tomatoes. My plan was to make more trips to the gym (giving up sitting) but they’ve just announced there’s a problem with the heating system which may take a week to fix, so not a good start.

😁😁😁
For you Mollygo and an eggplant for good measure
🍅🥒🌶🍆

Doodle

Tuskanini I keep being reminded this is a lighthearted thread and I see no problem with that. However, there is no need to be unpleasant to people of faith who take Lent more seriously.

Well said, Doodle. We get this thread every year. Always with a side dish of snide comments. It really is unnecessary.

Kate1949

Oh Fanny I'm with you on that one. I'm going to try that.

Me too Fanny x

Tuskanini I keep being reminded this is a lighthearted thread and I see no problem with that. However, there is no need to be unpleasant to people of faith who take Lent more seriously.

Kate1949

I'm 73. I'm giving up nowt.

... I'm with Kate.

Ice cream, let’s hope we don’t have a warm March but I will still have to watch my family eat it on our Sunday desserts.

I will start Lent by giving up crisps and chocolate. I love salt and vinegar crisps and dark chocolate.

Not giving up anything it's not part of my tradition I will be reading and studying the Bible more instead .

I’ll do the same as I do for New Year’s - nothing.
Cheers!
USA Gundy

I try to do something more for other people , which in its way is giving up my personal time. So for example , before I go shopping , think if someone could do with a lift or for me to get something for them. Or , if it is a pleasant day, I do enjoy just walking alone and at my pace, but would ring someone on their own and see if they would like to come out with me.

I'm 73. I'm giving up nowt.

I gave up alcohol for lent just to prove to familyI could, went to AA . Lent has never ended as this was in March 2000.

I give up my new year resolutions.

I'm giving buying things from Amazon!!

Kate1949

Oh Fanny I'm with you on that one. I'm going to try that.

Can I join you and Fanny, please? These three-hour worries in the middle of the night are driving me mad. I get up in the morning and usually have them all sorted or locked away in 10 minutes.
Really it should just be calories, calories, calories. Especially when the 9-year-old GD suggested a fitbit at the weekend.

Just Google Lent for explanation.

Normally don't drink now I live alone, so am giving up NOT drinking and get myself a nice bottle of wine!!

'Lent'? Oh, isn't that something in a religion that used to be moderately popular in the UK? Sure, fill your boots. Or, rather, empty them I suppose...

Chocolate and crisps. I could do with shifting a few lbs