Easter is on its way. But for many Christians, first comes Lent, the liturgical season of 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (a.k.a. charity). Starting on Ash Wednesday, Lent’s focus is to stand in solidarity with the poor and try to be better people.
Many people challenge themselves to make a sacrifice by giving something up during Lent. This can be anything from scrolling social media to online shopping — anything you find yourself doing a little too often that you want to challenge yourself to go without. Alternatively, you can focus on adding something to your daily routine rather than taking something away, like making time for prayer, a walk in nature, charity, or random good deeds.
If you’re ready to make a Lenten sacrifice but want to do something more original than giving up chocolate (we’ve all been there!), these are some ideas for things to give up for Lent.
- Single-use plastics
Disposable plastics are slowly choking the earth. Use Lent as a time to try new reusable swaps and cut down on the amount of single-use waste you generate with reusable mugs, coffee pods, cutlery, bowl covers, and more. - Criticizing your appearance
God made you perfectly. Even if there are things you want to change about your appearance, embrace self-love by cutting out the negative self-talk and focusing on gratitude for all the amazing things your body can do for you, no matter what it looks like. - Ignoring the homeless
Make an effort not to look away when you see someone experiencing homelessness or asking for money. If you don’t feel comfortable giving cash, try carrying small food items like granola bars to share. - Staying home all day on the weekend
Give up a weekend or two during Lent to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, food pantry or church. It’s a great way to help people, and you’ll feel good getting to see your positive impact. - Doomscrolling
It’s good to be engaged with current events, but staying informed can cross the line into being harmful when you constantly take in an influx of negative news. Focus on replacing doomscrolling with more positive news or with active ways that you can help through charity or service. - Shopping major retailers
Focusing on supporting local businesses that pay workers a fair wage and sell responsibly sourced goods. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it supports your local community, workers, and the environment at the same time. - Hot showers
You don’t have to take an ice-cold shower, but try taking one that’s lukewarm instead of hot. It will definitely help you remember those who don’t have access to the same everyday luxuries that you do. - Being impatient
It seems like everyone is always in a rush. Intentionally slow down this Lent and try to give up being impatient. This can look like avoiding road rage, letting people cut ahead of you in line, being gracious to people who are running late, or even just walking more slowly instead of hurrying all the time. - Listening to music in the car
Trade your carpool karaoke session for some quiet time. Use this uninterrupted time to grow closer to God through prayer and mindful reflection. - Complaining
After a stressful day, it can be hard not to fall into a cycle of complaining to release some steam. And while venting can help you move forward, try to avoid unnecessary complaining during Lent. Instead, reflect on what you are grateful for and try to redirect your focus in that direction. - Clutter
Rather than leaving dirty dishes in the sink, clean laundry in the basket, or a week’s worth of mail on the kitchen counter, stay on top of clutter in your home. You can get the whole family involved by assigning each member a task and playing some music in the background to make chore time fly by. - Watching TV (in favor of reading)
Whether or not you’re trying to reach a Goodreads Goal in 2025, making time to read more during Lent (and beyond) is always a good idea. Put down your phone after dinner and pick up a spiritual book, a thriller, a romance or a memoir you’ve been wanting to read. - Online shopping
The next time you’re tempted to hit “add to cart,” take a moment to think about if it’s something you actually need. Keep the item in your shopping cart for a day or two, then make your decision. Chances are, you can go without it — for Lent, at least! - Biting your nails
If you’re one of the 20 to 30% of people who bite their nails, use the next 40 days to kick this bad habit to the curb. Once you identify your triggers, you’ll be able to come up with a solution that works for you, whether it’s splurging on a fresh mani or coating your nails with a special deterrent polish. - Dating apps
Instead of mindlessly swiping and scrolling, log off the apps and spend the next month working toward clarity about what kind of love you’re looking for. That way, when Lent’s over, you can sign back in with renewed energy and focus. - Heat styling your hair
Curling, straightening and blow-drying your hair takes a toll over time. Give your hair a break from the heat to bring back its natural shine and save you tons of time each day. With those extra minutes back, maybe you could squeeze in a daily devotional or meditation. - Using your phone at dinner
It’s easy to mindlessly scroll through your phone when you’re eating. But even if you’re eating by yourself, putting down your phone can help you enjoy your meal more. - Ignoring your friends and family
During the daily grind, it’s easy to tell ourselves we’ll call or text our loved ones later — and then later never comes. Take time every day to send someone you care about a quick text or give them a call to show how much they mean to you. - Holding grudges
It’s one of the hardest things to do, but offering forgiveness to someone who has hurt you can do wonders for not just them, but your own mental health. And it’s equally important to forgive yourself, don’t forget. - Streaming services
Think you can go 40 days without Netflix? What about Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime or HBO Max? Try logging out of your favorite streaming services for the next 40 days. You’ll be surprised how much extra time you have when you’re not pressing, “Yes, I’m still watching.” - Fast food
You know fast food isn’t the healthiest choice, but it’s often the easiest option on busy days. This Lenten season, try replacing fast food with a delicious home-cooked meal. If you’re on the go, pack a healthy protein bar to reach for instead. - Skipping workouts
No, this doesn’t mean you have to work out every day if you don’t already have a fitness routine. Map out a workout schedule at the beginning of the week and do your best to stick to it. Working out can encompass a ton of activities: yoga, walking or online dance classes all count. - Video games
If you find yourself grabbing for your Xbox or Wii controller most nights, see if you can cut back on the habit during Lent. If quitting entirely sounds impossible, try cutting down on your weekday use only. That means you can still play Mario Kart on the weekend. - Bad posture
If you’ve ever caught yourself hunched over your computer, you know how easy it is to slump. Make it a point to sit up straight while you sit at your laptop or watch TV. Your body will thank you. - Coffee
You probably already know that giving up coffee can lead to impressive savings, especially if you’ve been grabbing your java on the go. Cutting a $4 drink each day will save you $28 a week and $160 the entire 40 days of Lent. Consider donating that cash to a charity you’re passionate about. - Gossiping
This Lenten season, steer conversations away from gossip. If a friend starts talking about someone else, say something nice about that person and change the subject. You can also tell your friends that you’re trying to avoid gossip. They might appreciate the nudge toward positivity. - Alcohol
Giving up that glass of wine with dinner might be tough, but it could have life-changing benefits. You might even realize that alcohol was becoming a distraction or that you are happier without it! - Holding on to stuff you don’t use
Start with donating three things. For example, you could donate three lightly worn pieces of clothing, three toys, or three books. Can’t find three things? Give a compliment to three strangers or leave a 30% tip on your next meal if you can spare it. - Meat
Give it up for the entire Lenten season. If abstaining from all meat is not feasible for you, try steering clear of red meat or limiting your meat intake to certain days of the week. - Using your phone after 8 p.m.
You’re probably not doing anything important on your phone after 8 p.m., anyway. Instead of scrolling through your Instagram or tiktok feeds for hours, dock your phone and spend quality time with family or roommates. Before bed, read a book or say some prayers instead. - A half hour of sleep
Wake up a half hour earlier and spend that extra time reading a devotional, doing some light exercise or savoring your morning coffee and breakfast. If that sounds too difficult, simply give up the snooze button instead. - Junk food
Is there a not-so-great-for-you processed food that you can’t resist? (We’re look at you candy, ice cream, chips, etc.) Try giving up that food item for Lent. You might just fall in love with a creative, healthier alternative. - Being ungrateful
Take on a 40-day gratitude challenge and write one thank-you note, text or email each day. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your gratitude (although we highly recommend you do!), simply write down three things you’re thankful for each day in a journal or in your phone’s notes app. - Frivolous spending
Is there anything you overspend on that you know you shouldn’t? For example, Starbucks, clothes or Uber? Cut out one of those things and donate the money you save to charity. - Swearing
Whether your computer crashed, your train is late or you stubbed your toe, try to avoid muttering the first expletive that comes to mind. Instead, challenge yourself to expand your vocabulary or express yourself in a different way. - Buying lunch
All it takes is an hour or two on Sunday to prepare healthy and delicious meals that will last you all week long. It’ll save you money and make you more grateful for all the people who work hard to make fresh food available to you, from the farmers to the grocery store cashiers. - Mindless snacking
Help yourself meet this challenge by portioning your snacks before you eat them. And if you can avoid it, don’t keep tempting treats in the house so they aren’t calling your name in a moment of weakness. - Bottled water
If you haven’t already, swap those plastic water bottles for an environmentally-friendly reusable one. Make this challenge even more difficult by cutting out other single-use plastics, too. Giving up plastic shopping bags, straws and eating utensils can seriously cut your waste. - Food delivery
This Lenten season, make it a point to cook more and order delivery less. If you just can’t face the stove, try to pick up your food when you can to avoid delivery fees. - One social media platform
If giving up social media entirely feels impossible, try ditching just one app. Take note of how much more free time you have when you’re not stuck in an endless online scroll. - Makeup
Try going bare faced for 40 days, and giving the money you would be spending on makeup products to charity. It’s a great way to embrace your natural self and it can be humbling to go back to basics. - Soda
You probably already know that a can of Diet Coke isn’t the best way to deal with that dreaded 3 o’clock slump. Instead, try to replace your soda with tea.
Written by Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping