43 Things To Give Up for Lent

woman opening her arms up in prayer

Lent is a Christian observance that has been practiced for centuries. It is a period of 40 days that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. During this time, believers engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to deepen their relationship with God and reflect on their faith. One of the most common practices during Lent is giving up something that is considered a luxury or indulgence. In fact, many people search for “things to give up for Lent” to find inspiration for what they can sacrifice during this period. Growing up Catholic, giving something up was something we always had to do.

People choose to give up all sorts of things for Lent. Some may give up certain foods, such as chocolate or meat, while others may give up social media, TV, or video games. Some people give up a bad habit or behavior, such as smoking or gossiping. Whatever they choose to give up, the goal is to create a space in their lives for spiritual reflection and growth. By letting go of something they enjoy or rely on, they can redirect their focus towards prayer and reflection.

There are many reasons why people choose to give up something for Lent. For some, it's a way to break bad habits or unhealthy patterns in their lives. By giving up something that is not good for them, they can focus on improving their physical and mental health and making positive changes in their lives. Others see it as a way to simplify their lives and focus on what really matters.

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Whatever the reason, giving up something for Lent can be a powerful practice that fosters personal growth and spiritual reflection. So if you're looking for “things to give up for Lent,” consider what you can sacrifice to deepen your relationship with God and improve your life. I think the key to being successful when giving something up, is to only give up as much as you can handle.  Trying to give up too many things at one time is hard and may just set you up for failure.

Here’s a great list of things to give up for Lent

1. social media

2. watching reality television

3. electronic gadgets

4. video games

5. multitasking

6. eating out

7. credit cards

8. shopping

9. clubbing

10. hoarding items that you will never use again

11. texting instead of talking

12. complaining

13. gossiping

14. sarcasm

15. being impatient

16. procrastinating

17. criticizing others

18. comparing yourself to others

19. negativity

20. whining

21. being mean

22. holding grudges

23. bragging

24. making excuses

25. losing your temper

26. yelling

27. being a bully

28. lying

29. biting your fingernails

30. cracking your knuckles

31. chewing gum

32. sweets

33. Fast food

34. alcohol

35. fried food

36. coffee

37. soda

38. chocolate

39. s

nacking between meals

40. smoking

41. shaving

42. make-up

43. clutter

What are you giving up for Lent?

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About the author

Diane

Diane is a Delaware based writer and blogger. She is a wife and the mom of a teenage boy. Through her blog, she wants to inspire moms to find Zen in their lives while offering practical tips and other valuable information to help families deal with everyday issues. Contact her at dianenassy@gmail.com