Today marks the first day of lent. I’m not sure if you are familiar with the concept, but it means that you decide to give something up – usually some kind of luxury – for a period of forty days. It starts on Ash Wednesday (today) and ends on Easter Sunday. Even though it’s a Christian concept, I know lots of people who are taking part not actually for religious reasons, but just to test giving up something they usually depend on.
This year I have decided to go with the ‘classic’ and give up eating sweets or cake (or ice cream, crisps, cereal, nutella, cookies…all that sugar-loaded stuff). I’ve once done that before (successfully – I’ve tried a few other times but gave up after a few days ;). The first week was really hard, but after that it was such a good feeling to actually not have those sugar-cravings anymore and not needing that piece of chocolate with my afternoon coffee. Gladly there’s only one birthday (with cake) that I have to attend in these forty days, so there’s a chance I can actually resist the temptation to eat. Cross your fingers I stick to my resolution this time around as well!
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Are you going to take part in lent? If you haven’t decided what to do, here are some ideas:
1 | Another classic: Alcohol.
2 | A friend of mine is not using Instagram until Easter. You could try this (or some other form of social media).
3 | Going without coffee could also be interesting (and healthy).
4 | Maybe not watching TV? This would probably be harder than it sounds (I mean: 40 days!).
5 | If no Social Media is too unrealistic, how about no internet before 8 am and after 8 pm?
6 | Or maybe not going shopping for forty days?
7 | This is similar to my challenge, but not eating at any fast food chains would be an idea as well.
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PS: If you want to give up sweets and cake as well, here are a few of my favourite healthy snack ideas:
1 | Strawberries. I’m totally addicted at the moment.
2 | Baby carrots.
3 | Apple puree. My grandma’s recipe is definitely the best ;).
4 | Yogurt with banana and some oats.
5 | A fresh smoothie or milkshake. My favourite combination is banana, buttermilk and frozen raspberries.
6 | Beet salad (just mix a cooked beet, some oil and vinegar, salt, pepper and a bit of sugar and you’re ready to go).
7 | Cucumber, tomatoes or carrots with quark and fresh herbs.
8 | Tabbouleh.
9 | A glass of buttermilk.
What are your favourite snacks?
My friend is doing a great thing of trying something new everyday in Lent. I’m going to try and join in. I think if you don’t do it for religious reasons than it is about changing your outlook on things and that sounds like fun.
I’m Hindu, but Lent is more and more sounding like something I should try! Giving up a bad habit for 40 days would be worth it ;) no Facebook would be ideal!
Hi!
I came across you blog yesterday and really liked it. Thanks for this reminder today. My husband and I are going to give up stay up late for Lent. We struggle with keeping a consistent bedtime so it may help us get a routine. I am excited to follow along with your blog.
My best wishes,
Paige
I think not shopping for 40 days would have to be mine! hahah
This is such a great Post, Hanna! I’ve been thinking about what to give up all morning after reading your post in bed this morning. Chocolate and all that seems like a good idea – just SO hard. I guess that’s the point. I thought about going to bed earlier, no internet after 8, or splitting it up and giving up 4 different things or so for just a little while each. But then I realised all of that wouldn’t be as hard as not eating chocolate, cake etc.
So maybe I should just go for it – and really challenge myself. Only problem is that I’ll be going back home to see my family in April – and the German Nutella tasted different than the one over here. I like it better, and I can’t see myself not having a yummy German Nutella bun in the morning ;) I might just not have any until I go, and once I’m in Germany I can change the rule to ‘no chocolate after 4pm’ or something similar ;)
It would love to hear more about your experience – you could write an update on how you’re doing once a week or so. It would be a great way to get accountability, and to stay motivated. :)
I’m taking a lot of time off Pinterest and not watching any shows on my own (but keeping up shows I watch with others for social time). I’m trying to give God a little more room to be in my life instead of filling my head and staying busy every moment of the day! I’m also trying to rest with Nate a little more to get closer as a couple and so that we have time to get closer to God. I love lent, it always feels so special and God always always always blesses our little sacrifices if we are doing them for him :) :) Hope no sweets goes well… you’re already sweet enough anyway!! xoxo
I would love to be able to give something up for lent but I can never stick to it! Good luck!
Like you I have given up on sweets for the whole length of this lent. Since we are supposed to give up something and take on something, I took upon mentoring a high school girl as part of my “good action” for lent. My friend is doing “one charitable action a day”, like say buy a stranger a cup of coffee, let somebody else step in front of you at the checkout, etc. I think it is pretty good. My senior year of undergrad, my whole class had decided to quit Facebook for the length of lent. It was a great challenge. So yeah, there a tons of great ideas to go by. I think lent is the perfect opportunity to introduce lifestyle changes too! :)
Hanna’s Places is a green lifestyle magazine written by Hanna Ulatowski. It’s all about slowing down in a fast-paced society and finding ways to live a more sustainable, simple lifestyle.
March 5, 2014
Interesting to read a out giving up something for Lent as it was part of my childhood. Some great suggestions.Did you take part in Carnival?