What are you doing for Lent - are you giving something up? Starting something new?

[AliveAndLicking]

I'm not religious at all. This isn't a religious thing.

But I see Lent as a good time to make a change. The miserable days of January are over, the spring bulbs are starting to make an appearance and spring feels like it might happen. So it feels like a good time to make a positive change.

I don't give something up each year, some years I start something new instead.

But this year I've decided to give up mindless internet browsing. I'm avoiding news sites and MN unless I've made a very conscious choice to have a block of time on it. I'm not going on social media at all. I'm not just aimlessly scrolling nonsense that appears in my feed.

Its amazing how easily this mindless internet habit has crept in.

During work hours, whenever I'm tempted to take an internet break, I'll ask myself "What easy work tasks can I do instead?" or do something productive for ten minutes.

In my free time, I won't just sit on the sofa staring at my screen. I'll read. I'll do something productive in the house. I'll get my knitting out.

What are your plans?

Is now part of your allotted block of time on mumsnet?

It isn't Lent until tomorrow 😵‍💫

Also not religious, but I'm avoiding carbs and alcohol for Lent. I did the same last year, and felt a lot better for it. As I sit here now, full of pancakes, it seems pretty easy. I may think differently tomorrow!

I'm seriously thinking of giving up MN or restricting it, and only allowing a tiny bit of Reddit time. I have to get back to a bit more book-reading as well as all the other jobs that need doing.

One year, at school, Fr Tom came to speak to us before Lent.
I went to a Convent school, so, he knew his audience, bless him.

His opening words were ‘It’s not Weight Watchers’.
I’ve never forgotten it, so, i try to give up things like swearing.

Appreciate more and be more patient with my immediate family. Give up chocolate and booze.

I’m going to do the same thing!
I need Facebook for my business and hobbies, so I’m going to allow myself 30 (timed) minutes a day to do all fb, MN, emails and then that’s it!
Not constantly opening and scrolling.

Not religious, but it’s a good time to make a change.

Giving up Diet Coke, which is a BIG DEAL.

How's everyone getting on with Day One?

I've avoided mindless internetting all day. I arrived early for an appointment this morning and rather than stand outside scrolling on my phone, I just stood and watched the world go by for 10-minutes. It was lovely. It sounds small but I was very proud of myself.

I'm having a bit of planned 15-minute MN time before I head out to get my eyebrows done.

Day One's going well so far.

Day Nine (I think?) and I've not touched a drop of alcohol (not missed it, either), and I'm still resolutely low-carbing and enjoying it. How's everyone else doing?

That's amazing news! Well done!

I'm sticking to it. I've hardly done any mindless Internet time wasting. I haven't been on MN since Monday (now having some dedicated MN time) and haven't looked at any news since the start of Lent.

It feels absolutely great. I feel genuinely freer mentally and have been much more productive at work.

Go us!!

I've given up meat for Lent. It has been surprisingly challenging! I thought I didn't eat much meat but I'm struggling more than I expected. For me it is sort of religious as I'm a lapsed Christian and I'm exploring faith again

I've given up wine, and I love wine! I am Catholic but not practicing. Feeling ridiculously lighter for doing it.

I give up alcohol every year. My mum used to do this (and she LOVED her wine), so I’ve done it since she passed away some years ago. I think it can only be beneficial.
When at school I remember a group of girls decided to go to mass every morning before school.
One year I gave up sugar. Of course there’s sugar in loads of things but the obvious cakes/biscuits etc. This was before sweeteners were readily available too, so stopped drinking tea and coffee too. I’m not religious though I was brought up Catholic. I like the discipline and it’s an extra level of accountability.