Lent is Fast Approaching
By Sarah De Coste
Lent is fast approaching….no pun intended. With lent comes the last minute fasting ideas, which usually results in giving up chocolate, junk food, pop, alcohol, or coffee. It almost becomes a catholic version of a new years resolution, where we look at all of our bad habits, or things that aren’t necessarily good for us and we decide to cut them out. Which in itself isn’t bad, but I’d like to think that Lent can be more. It can be more than looking at things we automatically should cut back from and instead looking at things we enjoy, things that have become comfortable in our lives. It becomes easy to focus on the things you give up, where not only should you look at giving up something per-say but if able to fill that space, that time, that opportunity with doing something. Or doing a double combo of giving something up as well as doing something. It’s beneficial in these moment’s to be giving something up and doing it because if there’s a situation where you need to act, (especially involving giving up food, its rude to neglect or reject someones offer.) In doubling the lenten mission you are able to continue sacrificing in those moments of obligation. I am going to list off some unconventional options for what you could do this Lent.
(Disclaimer if giving up chocolate, or any of the other things I mentioned is a struggle by all means go for it, I’m not meaning to down play any fasting being done, but more so to encourage you to dive deeper and not go for an easy option, and before you make any decisions as to what to do (especially involving food) make sure you check with a doctor to make sure you physically will be healthy to do so.)
Here Goes!
Give up meat altogether! This is one of the things I'm doing for lent and being a carnivore by trade I couldn’t be more excited….that’s a lie, I am not excited but its going to be a very good sacrifice for me.
No TV, or movies. Watching shows online is the same thing, so don’t be a cheater.
Give up social media, ie facebook, instagram, snapchat, etc
An adaption of the last one is only checking social media ONCE a day.
NO SNACKS! Just your three main meals! (struggle would be real)
Not listening to music. No music in your car, doing dishes, doing homework, etc.
Giving up your pillow. I read this one once and thought it was incredibly simple, yet incredibly difficult.
Only eat with chopsticks. If you don’t usually eat with them, I imagine the difficulty in trying to eat yogurt or my morning cheerios with this one.
Not complaining. I know someone who did this last year and they found it very difficult yet very eye opening.
Giving up makeup and/or doing your hair. I don’t mean let your hair run wild, instead don’t use a blow dryer, gel, mouse, straightener, curling iron.
Wear the same 3 outfits. Pick out 3 wardrobes and wear the same thing in rotation during lent, feel free to mix and match between what you chose.
Stop interrupting. I know that sounds harsh, and automatically I would say “I don’t interrupt”, but you can even look at it in the aspect of not listening to respond or give your opinion, but listening for the sake of listening, and understanding, until someone asks your opinion.
Eating the same 3 meals all Lent. Cheerios, KD, followed by steak veggies, and rice...too much?
For myself on top of giving up meat… I am also going to be present to the moment. What that entails is I will not multitask. If I’m with someone talking, I’m with them, If I go on my phone, I’m on my phone. If I’m watching a movie thats what I’m doing. I am going to be present to the moment in all its essence.
Being everywhere 10-15 minutes early. If you are someone who either gets there right on time, or a few minutes late I do recommend this one.
Pray the rosary during every car ride while you aren’t listening to music in your car.
Instead of being sarcastic or saying something to which you need to respond “I was just joking” say something positive, give a compliment. I recommend giving up sarcasm for ever in all honesty the root word of sarcasm literally means tearing of flesh….not nice, not funny.
Stop procrastinating. No more last minute studying, or talk writing.
Sit up straight. I did this one two years in a row which was actually more difficult than I thought, however my ballet teacher from way back would have been very proud!
As soon as you wake up, get out of bed, get on your knees and Thank God for loving you.
Pray every morning before you do anything else. No more morning facebook check.
Help doing the dishes every night. This would literally be my worst nightmare….so probably my Lenten mission next year.
Only spend a specific amount of money per month ie. $100 for groceries.
Don’t buy ANYTHING that you don’t need. A need is something that you will literally die without…. no clothes shopping.
Only look in the mirror for 5 -10 minutes a day. I don’t consider myself an overly vain person, but I can see a real struggle in this, especially when you live somewhere as windy as Lethbridge….
Call a relative once a week. My boyfriend is doing this, I recommend it if your family doesn’t live close to you.
Accept all things with joy. To look for a bright side and think of a positive in every situation. This doesn’t mean not being sad or upset or hurt it means accepting all things as Gods will and finding joy in that.
Enjoy this time of intentional sacrifice and remember to offer up this suffering to God, whether or not its for someones conversion, the souls in purgatory, or offering it up through our blessed mother’s intercession where she will deliver it to those most in need. Happy fasting and may you grow in discipline which will bring you closer to Christ.
(Disclaimer if giving up chocolate, or any of the other things I mentioned is a struggle by all means go for it, I’m not meaning to down play any fasting being done, but more so to encourage you to dive deeper and not go for an easy option, and before you make any decisions as to what to do (especially involving food) make sure you check with a doctor to make sure you physically will be healthy to do so.)
Here Goes!
Give up meat altogether! This is one of the things I'm doing for lent and being a carnivore by trade I couldn’t be more excited….that’s a lie, I am not excited but its going to be a very good sacrifice for me.
No TV, or movies. Watching shows online is the same thing, so don’t be a cheater.
Give up social media, ie facebook, instagram, snapchat, etc
An adaption of the last one is only checking social media ONCE a day.
NO SNACKS! Just your three main meals! (struggle would be real)
Not listening to music. No music in your car, doing dishes, doing homework, etc.
Giving up your pillow. I read this one once and thought it was incredibly simple, yet incredibly difficult.
Only eat with chopsticks. If you don’t usually eat with them, I imagine the difficulty in trying to eat yogurt or my morning cheerios with this one.
Not complaining. I know someone who did this last year and they found it very difficult yet very eye opening.
Giving up makeup and/or doing your hair. I don’t mean let your hair run wild, instead don’t use a blow dryer, gel, mouse, straightener, curling iron.
Wear the same 3 outfits. Pick out 3 wardrobes and wear the same thing in rotation during lent, feel free to mix and match between what you chose.
Stop interrupting. I know that sounds harsh, and automatically I would say “I don’t interrupt”, but you can even look at it in the aspect of not listening to respond or give your opinion, but listening for the sake of listening, and understanding, until someone asks your opinion.
Eating the same 3 meals all Lent. Cheerios, KD, followed by steak veggies, and rice...too much?
For myself on top of giving up meat… I am also going to be present to the moment. What that entails is I will not multitask. If I’m with someone talking, I’m with them, If I go on my phone, I’m on my phone. If I’m watching a movie thats what I’m doing. I am going to be present to the moment in all its essence.
Being everywhere 10-15 minutes early. If you are someone who either gets there right on time, or a few minutes late I do recommend this one.
Pray the rosary during every car ride while you aren’t listening to music in your car.
Instead of being sarcastic or saying something to which you need to respond “I was just joking” say something positive, give a compliment. I recommend giving up sarcasm for ever in all honesty the root word of sarcasm literally means tearing of flesh….not nice, not funny.
Stop procrastinating. No more last minute studying, or talk writing.
Sit up straight. I did this one two years in a row which was actually more difficult than I thought, however my ballet teacher from way back would have been very proud!
As soon as you wake up, get out of bed, get on your knees and Thank God for loving you.
Pray every morning before you do anything else. No more morning facebook check.
Help doing the dishes every night. This would literally be my worst nightmare….so probably my Lenten mission next year.
Only spend a specific amount of money per month ie. $100 for groceries.
Don’t buy ANYTHING that you don’t need. A need is something that you will literally die without…. no clothes shopping.
Only look in the mirror for 5 -10 minutes a day. I don’t consider myself an overly vain person, but I can see a real struggle in this, especially when you live somewhere as windy as Lethbridge….
Call a relative once a week. My boyfriend is doing this, I recommend it if your family doesn’t live close to you.
Accept all things with joy. To look for a bright side and think of a positive in every situation. This doesn’t mean not being sad or upset or hurt it means accepting all things as Gods will and finding joy in that.
Enjoy this time of intentional sacrifice and remember to offer up this suffering to God, whether or not its for someones conversion, the souls in purgatory, or offering it up through our blessed mother’s intercession where she will deliver it to those most in need. Happy fasting and may you grow in discipline which will bring you closer to Christ.