How to Pick What to Give Up for Lent

Giving up an activity or a food item for Lent is one of the ways that individuals celebrate the weeks before Easter. Not sure what to give up this Lent? Here are some ideas to help you make your decision.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Don’t give up something for Lent that you have given up before. Being repetitive is not the point of giving up something for Lent. You should deprive yourself of something new every year.
2. Consider giving up an activity for Lent. Many people will give up a food or drink item for Lent. Perhaps this year you could give up watching TV for more than an hour a day or give up reading the tabloids.
3. Give up something for Lent that will actually be a sacrifice for you. It may be fun to give up potato chips for Lent but that may not be that big a deal for you. You should deprive yourself of something that is meaningful during Lent.
4. Give up something for Lent that will improve your health. For example, you could give up drinking alcohol during Lent. This is a great way to improve your physical and spiritual health.
5. Make a trade during Lent. Instead of watching TV for a half hour before going to sleep, you could read a passage from the Bible instead. Once again, this will deprive you of something that you may enjoy to do and can also help you grow in your relationship with God.
6. If you’re struggling with what to give up for Lent, talk to your priest about it. Giving up something for Lent is often not a big deal for people. That shouldn’t be the case. Your priest will be able to guide you about making your personal sacrifice during Lent.