Throughout my life I’ve had something of an odd relationship with Lent. Brought up a Catholic, giving something up for the 40 days before Easter was something encouraged, but my parents’ weren’t the types to force it on me, believing that it was something I had to do for myself in order to get any kind of spiritual benefit from it. Thus, whilst I often marked the season by giving something up, it was usually for relatively non-religious reasons such as weight-loss or saving money for charity.
Religion is no longer a big part of my life, and when asked if I believe, my very genuine answer is always “I have no idea”. I certainly don’t hold Catholic ideas such as no contraception and that being gay is wrong, and I’m definitely not a creationist under any circumstances, but I reckon if there did turn out to be an intelligent being of some sort behind the Big Bang, evolution etc. I wouldn’t be too shocked. Perhaps it’s that Catholic guilt everyone speaks of, each year I do feel somewhat compelled, still, to give something up.
I’ve decided therefore, to observe Lent in the same way as I do New Years. Just like making a new start on January 1st, Lent is a good time to deprive ourselves of something that’s bad for us, something that we spend too much money on, or simply to do something good for the world. These things can of course be done at any time of year, for any length of time, however a particular block of days when lots of other people are doing a similar thing lends a certain sense of community and mutual support to the proceedings. Just as everyone setting goals at New Years encourages me to think about what I want to achieve in the year, I think giving something up for Lent will encourage me to stick to it more, as I’ll know there are many others in the same boat as me. Plus, there’s a definite finishing date and the prospect of Easter eggs at the end of it!
I can’t think of one single thing I need to give up however, as I have far too many vices! To that end, I have decided that for the next 40 days I shall cut down dramatically on food and drink that’s bad for me. I can’t say I’ll be able to give it up completely, as for a start we take turns doing the shopping and cooking in our house, so for two weeks out of every three the evening meal is out of my control, but I’ll do my best to swap chocolate and junk food for healthier alternatives, etc.
This is something I’ve been saying I’ll do for a long time, but I think I have more chance of succeeding knowing that it’s for a set period of time and that I’m not the only person being deprived of something I enjoy!
How about you? Do you observe Lent? Are you religious or are you a non-religious person who gives something up anyway?
Also, I hope you had a fabulous Pancake Day! x
Last year I gave up chocolate for Lent, and it was SO difficult! Who knew how addictive chocolate was?
I’ve not decided on what to give up yet, the boy has suggested shoes for some reason…
I’m an atheist so have no reason to give things up but i have tried to in the past as an exercise in self control. I’ve never managed it
Febfast is running downunder, where one gives up booze for a month. You heard me, Aussies and NO booze. Believe in miracles, they do happen
I was baptised and brought up Catholic but don’t consider myself Catholic or religious at all. I believe in science. I don’t observe Lent. I don’t really believe in abstaining from some sort of behaviour or vice for a period of time, I don’t feel guilty about my lifestyle (unless I’m buying shoes that cost more than 100$ !) and don’t feel the need to observe a period of giving stuff up. I try to consistently be conscious about the choices I make in life and try not to indulge without also giving somehow to a person or group not as fortunate as I am. I think balance is my game. Good luck with your Lent! I like your overhaul approach.