Lent, what if anything are you giving up?

Having looked at my overflowing wardrobe I have decided to not buy any new boots, shoes, clothes this year! So far so good 🤞🤞so that must include Lent 👍

Not giving up anything for Lent. For the first time in 40ish years didn’t go to church on Ash Wednesday. I find I don’t worry about conforming any more. I like thoughtfulness, kindness, spirituality and the community of ‘church’ so still keep connected - but come & go as I please and don’t feel I have to pretend to go along with particular ‘beliefs’ . Gave up alcohol a few years ago when I knew I had become addicted during a stressful time. So very glad I did! I do find the ‘confiteor’ at Mass very meaningful though. Acknowledging my faults and asking to be forgiven. Forgiving myself, really.

IrishDancing

Someone once told me to give up self doubt - no it didn’t work long term, or even short as far as I remember …

Yes me too , .... although I could be wrong.....

Amalegra

I am going to try to give up negativity and embrace the positives that life has to offer. Or perhaps I should give up poring over the news which certainly doesn’t help these days!

Nice one👍 news is a complete horror story at the mo.
I always thought it more meaningful and useful to do something rather than denial , it's punitive and I wouldn't imagine if there is in ultimate being that they enjoy being horrid to us surely?

Nothing on account of I’m not a christian. But if you want an amusing suggestion, how about giving up spending time on GN?!

I’m evidently giving up peppers, cucumber and tomatoes. My plan was to make more trips to the gym (giving up sitting) but they’ve just announced there’s a problem with the heating system which may take a week to fix, so not a good start.

Chocolate (not that I buy very much of it these days), biscuits, sweets, and buying books. The money I save will be donated to A Tent for Lent.

Worrying and definitely migraines . Neither of which I know are possible so nothing at all ,I'm afraid .

Dumdum. What a lovely post. I was thinking the meaning had been lost 🙏

Lent? Are all those who 'donetuff' for lent practising Christians I wonder?
Me? Nope , never have even when in a fanatical Catholic household

Hadn't thought of 'Cabbage', Pammiel! Could add it to the 'c's.

Cabbage !!

Someone once told me to give up self doubt - no it didn’t work long term, or even short as far as I remember …

Following "Dust and Glory" too Doodle

Sorry, Grammy, I forgot to say how wonderful that it helped you so much. What type of therapy was it, if you don’t mind me asking?

Thank you Grammy
I’ve had different types of counselling numerous times.
I had a marvellous therapist last year who I am still in touch with.
I can’t say that it has had much of an impact though on the negative thinking.
Having said that, I think that I’m better than I was. Stopping work had the biggest impact.
She was a Compassion Based Therapist.
I do encourage others to look into Compassion Based Therapy.

I do wonder if we need a Worry Support Thread though?
It appears that it would plenty of takers!
I’ll mull it over…
Sending love to all fellow fretters

Definitely a religious thing. Being a Christian never easy..’Take up your cross’. It’s hard to follow Christ involves self denial, which we are talking about. Jesus in the wilderness..not just bread, but need word tells us about following God. Am preaching on Sunday…there you have the bones of my sermon.

I've already given up heating, lighting and food. I'm not planning to give up anything else.

I'm with all the worriers - would love to give it up for Lent and forever. And pessimism too.

I've given up more than an absolute maximum of 2 units of alcohol a week. If you really stick to units and not glasses it's not a lot. Not doing it for Lent but because a relative is unwell and may need driving to hospital in a hurry. It's open ended and I've spent our joint alcohol savings so far (partner used to drink a pint most evenings and I'd sometimes get through a bottle of wine a week) on a food processor! Now eating lots of slaw which is nice but no compensation and has its drawbacks. Must learn some new recipes.

I am going to try to give up negativity and embrace the positives that life has to offer. Or perhaps I should give up poring over the news which certainly doesn’t help these days!

FannyCornforth

It would be life changingly marvellous to give up worrying.
I shall give it a go

Weekly counselling can sort that out...dealing with stuff from the past helps you to be able to live in the moment and one day you find you aren't worrying any more. I worried and was anxious and in fear (extreme) for 56 years. Now I'm not worrying about things. It's life changing. Do consider it seriously.

(and) what is all this about self-improvement, deprivation and sacrifice? How about enjoyment, self-indulgence, happy times and fun at this low time of year? I'll only hit the salads, up the exercise and cut back a bit in the height of summer!

I'm with Juliet27

Ive given up giving up..oh & ice cream.cause i rarely eat that😉