Are y’all participating in Lent this year? Now, I don’t think that the concept of a Lenten promise is singular to those who go to church. On the contrary, I think that everyone can participate in certain aspects of Lent.
The official idea behind a Lenten promise is to spend 40 days of almsgiving, repentance, and self-denial to grow in your faith and spirituality. Most people are familiar with the self-denial part, as you probably know people who have given up junkfood, sweets, or meat for Lent. In the past I’ve given up coffee, sweets, and carbs (not all at the same time, but all equally disastrous). But this isn’t necessarily a spirtual practice! I think that knowingly eliminating something that unnecessarily takes up your time and money can be a great thing for everyone.
This year, I’m choosing to eliminate alcohol for Lent, with the exception of a wine tasting I have planned with my mom next week.
Aside from the increase in spiritual time, I’m choosing to give up alcohol because I realized how much time, money, and calories I waste going to happy hour with friends or having a few beers with dinner on a Saturday night. I feel that, once Lent is over, I will hopefully be more mindful of that in the future when I go out with friends.
But what everyone forgets is that in addition to giving something up, you can also take something on in your life to improve it in some way. In addition to eliminating alcohol, I am taking on financial responsibility. That’s a pretty umbrella term, but let’s just say that I’m trying to pay closer attention to where my money goes and how much extra I have to put in savings instead of wasting.
So far, I’ve opened up a Money Market savings account and created a budget spread sheet. I’m going for the big time, y’all. I’m going to figure out how much I spend on groceries, entertainment, restaurants, and really get responsible about my savings. I already feel so adult and empowered!
So religion aside, is anyone considering giving up a vice or taking on a challenge? It doesn’t have to be food! I know people giving up mean, judgmental thoughts. And my friend Emilie is taking on writing meaningful letters to special people in her life.
Just like I told Mary I was going to eat more meat to make up for her loss, I will certainly drink more to make up for you
http://www.mint.com is a great personal financial planning website that I use…. and don’t worry it’s secure!
Thanks for the website — I think I remember you telling Mary about it a while back so I’ll definitely check it out! And PLEASE have some beer for me. It would be a shame for them to be lonely during Lent
You are a rockstar, my dear.
I’m giving up sweets because I waste so many calories on cookies, brownies, etc. when I could spend them on fruits or other nutritious foods to fuel my body and satiate my killer sweet tooth.
I’m also already on my way to “almsgiving;” I’m a Girls on the Run SoleMate and raising money for my local chapter as I train and then run my half marathon in April. I’m hoping to raise $350!
I applaud you on trying to be more financially aware. It’s hard! I did that a couple months after we moved, and I was blown away! We now go out to eat no more than once a week (and “going out” includes ice cream or drinks, not just full meals), buy only what we need for the week for groceries, etc. It’s helped a bit. We’re not rolling in the dough, but we’re more conscious of what we’re spending our hard-earned money on.
Good luck!
You are a rockstar, too! Good luck with the sweets! Would you consider something like a baked apple as a “sweet” if it was topped with a bit of maple syrup? That always kills a sweet craving for me!
And wahooooo for Girls on the Run — that is such a wonderful program and they should be proud to have you participate. I’m working out the exact details of my almsgiving since my church already does a lot with the homeless, but I think it will involve packing lunches and distributing them every few weeks (like PB&J with apples). Good luck to you, too!
I’ve given up chocolate so many times. One year, in high school, I got fed up and went to the cafeteria to buy the chocolatiest chocolate milk they had. When I opened it, it sprayed milk on my shirt, and as much as I have tried to get that chocolate milk stain out, it just has not come out, regardless of what I’ve used. My mom swears it’s a sign ;P
Hahah! Sorry to laugh… but yes, that is a sign! Something like that would totally happen to me if I had done that. The year I gave up coffee I flew to Spain and, not thinking, got coffee on the plane to help me get over jetlag/not sleeping on the plane and I burnt my tongue really badly and the coffee was gross. Also a sign.
I went to church tonight and the priest said that giving up something like silly arguments, something that is more life-changing and is kind of the goal anyway, is also an idea for something to ‘give up’– as he put it: God really doesn’t care if you have the willpower to withhold yourself from that chocolate-covered cherry. It’s about the *good* that you do, rather than deprivation.
This year, I have decided to give up being a lazy butt on the couch and move *purposefully* for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. I often find my best quiet time while exercising alone, so this commitment also includes getting into the Word purposefully as well. I think your ideas are great and love your blog!
lauren
I also love the quiet time from exercise! I get totally into my own brain and it is a really good way to separate from everything. For at least 30 minutes, I concentrate on myself and my own thoughts and nothing else and I love it!
I second using mint.com! It sends you text messages when you go over your budget. Depressing, but motivating.
Haha “Depressing, but motivating.” So true!
It’s not because of Lent but I too am “drying out” aka no drinking. Have been doing so for over 2 weeks and will keep it up till I head to the East Coast in 2 weeks so just over a month.
I am doing so for similar reasons you mentioned: money, health, time, etc.
I’m looking at it as a “life detox” that will help me streamline my wallet, my priorities, and my health. After 40 days, I’m sure I’ll think twice about that 2nd glass of wine!