What To Give Up For Lent – 40 Ideas

If you are looking for ideas on sacrifices or offerings, you’re in luck! I have put together a list of 40 things to do or give up for lent!

1. Reality TV – You get nothing from it, seriously. Nada. Want to go the distance? Give up TV in general. Trust me, you can definitely do it!
2. Sodas – Regular soda, diet soda, caffeine-free soda, it’s all the same, just say no! Try going all the way and saying no to caffeine, too (that means coffee!)
3. Buying More Food Than You Need – If you’re the type of person to buy with intention, but never really following through, this is for you! Only shop for foods you will actually eat, no more rotting foods in your fridge!
4. Your Pillow – That’s a big sacrifice! Just think of those far less fortunate who don’t have the luxury of laying their head on a pillow to sleep.
5. Clutter – It will make your life easier in the long run! Take a few minutes each day to pick up areas of clutter around your space. Need tips on this? I’ve got a blog post to help!
6. Emojis – Use your words! Tell someone how you really feel.
7. Sleeping Late – Give yourself a good night’s rest so that you can feel your best and give your best. Put your phone in another room, set an actual alarm clock, and try to go to bed 7-8 hours before your ideal wake up time is, which brings me to my next idea…
8. Sleeping In – Don’t waste the time God has given you by hitting the snooze button 30 some odd times in the morning. Try getting up the first time you wake, and reading a chapter of the bible or praying your favorite prayer.
9. Your Comfort Zone – Step outside of the box and experience life in a way you’ve wanted to but were too timid to try. God gives you opportunities that you sometimes didn’t know you needed.
10. Alcohol – You really don’t need it to have a good time, really.
11. Road Rage – If someone cuts you off, just let it go. Be patient, say a prayer, and turn on some tunes that will keep your mind off of other drivers.
12. Selfies – There’s more to share than just your face. But if you insist, try to avoid filters to show the real you!
13. Pornography – If you get an urge, try resisting the temptation by praying. Work out to get your mind off of it! Or visit CovenantEyes.com
14. Complaining – There really is no benefit to complaining, about anything, but we seem to do it anyway. If you feel one coming on, remember the blessings you have in your life!
15. Offer Prayer – Try praying the rosary every day during this Lenten season!
16. Social Media – It’s a tough one but it can be done. Remove the apps from your phone so the icons aren’t even there to tempt you! You’ll find that you get more done in the day without social media!
17. Using Your Credit Card – Don’t spend what you don’t have! Cut up your card, freeze it, or bury it!
18. Being Impatient – It’s important to remember that God’s timing is perfect timing.
19. Video Games – also including idle gaming on your phone, Wordle counts… right?
20. Envy – Be content with what you have without feeling green over what others have. If you find yourself feeling envious over what others have online, remember… the grass isn’t always greener, and there’s a mute button for everyone!
21. Listening to the Radio – If you listen to the radio on your way to work or home from work, try meditating instead or just talking to God. Or try listening to Christian music if you can’t give up the radio altogether!
22. Procrastinating – If you did things early, you’d be surprised as to how much free time you’ll have later, minus the stress and anxiety!
23. Smoking – Whether it be cigarettes, hookahs, or marijuana, they are all irritant to the lungs.
24. Offer an hour for Adoration – Spend this special holy time with the Lord. It’s truly beautiful.
25. Texting and Driving –  Seriously… this should be all year ’round but I’m guilty myself. It really is dangerous and this is definitely at the top of my own list.
26. Texting in General – Pick up the phone, dial whomever you were going to contact, and speak to them. Speak words… from your mouth… that they can hear.
27. Elevators – Get to stepping! Opt for the stairs.
28. Gossiping – No need to get involved in other people’s drama. Worry about yourself and tend to your own problems.
29. Lying – The truth shall set you free.
30. Don’t straighten your hair – Come on, you know I had to throw that in there. Need tips on getting your healthier curls back? Check them out here!
31. Makeup, Hair Products, or Both – Try living the next 40 days as just yourself and being confident with the natural you.
32. Offer your Sundays for worship – Go to mass, pay attention to mass, try enjoying the mass, get to know members of your congregation.
33. Fast Food – Opt for healthier meals at home and save your fast food money for something better!
34. Donate – Donate the money you saved from not buying fast food and use it for a good deed. Buy snacks, keep it in your car, and give it to a homeless person if you see one.
35. Pessimism  – Remain positive in the next 40 days. Do not speak negativity into your life.
36. Profanity – Try removing curse words from your vocabulary, entirely.
37. The Closest Parking Spot – If you aren’t “almost handicapped”, just give it up!
38. Mediocrity – When you are doing something, give it everything you have and do it to the best of your ability.
39. Offer your time – Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen, animal shelter, or nursing home.
40. Give up professing to the world what you are giving up for Lent – Don’t do it for the likes, retweets, or thumbs up… do it because it feels right and because you want to focus your heart and mind on God.

Any other recommendations you have in mind for this Lenten season? Let me know in a comment below!

Xoxo Un Besito,

Rocío