Lent is a special time of year for me, and this year I put a lot of thought into what I was going to do and why.

I'm following page with daily devotionals and doing some freewriting on my blog about the daily topic. I'm also reading through Timothy Keller's book Prayer, and it turns out to be about 7 pages a day.

In order to effectively do all that, I'm not logging into Facebook or Instagram. It's really a hamster wheel that I'm jumping off of, and even only 4 days into this, I feel so much better every day.

Another reason for avoiding those apps too is so that the topics I bring up with my husband don't center around "Oh, did you see what so-and-so posted? SO DUMB..." and the like.

I'm looking forward to where I'll be 36 days from now.

Chocolate :( tough, but doable

I'm giving up dumb app games and cutting internet time down even further than I already have (its been my main goal this year). So limiting myself to 20 minutes of computer time per day (apart from having Facebook open as it's the only way my family overseas can contact me, but no mindless scrolling thru the news feed allowed).

So bye ladies!!

I'm Jewish, but I'm observing Lent this year.

I'm giving up sweets. All sweets. Fruits, berries, sugar (I already stay away from sugar), Splenda, stevia, you name it. If it satiates my sweet tooth I'm staying away!! My man is doing the same. We are both trying to get in shape for our wedding.

Of course yesterday, as a last hurrah, we proceeded to purchase $30 worth of cakes, cookies and brownies and eat them while in front of the TV. I gained 5 pounds over Mardi Gras weekend and I am stewing in a pit of self-loathing. I should have gone home to California, but instead I ate everything and basically undid all the hard work I put in in January.

Just came from mass. I grew up in a very religious Irish Catholic family, and truth be told I like the ritual. Not exactly a believer, though.

I am giving up alcohol, and all social media. I'm going to keep a journal and every negative thought I have about myself I'm going to write it down and then write a response as to why it's not true and erase the original thought. No more complaining, and no more talking to my friends about the ex. No more feeling sorry for myself, damnit!

I would LIKE to give up smoking. But that will have to come next >:(

Right, after some discussion with /u/loandbehold , I'm going to do a 'no-buy' for Lent!

No buying anything that's not groceries or necessary household purchases for our new apartment (that includes cute kitchenware, oh no!)

I gave up FB for Lent! I'm on it constantly and it annoys me. I'm seriously addicted, if I don't check it two or three times in an hour I get this needling thought in my head to check it until I do. It's ridiculous. So I figured I would use Lent to help me get rid of that addiction.

My oldest son, he's 7, he gave up his Pokemon cards and I think he's already feeling the pinch! :-) we'll see how long he lasts.

Hmm this is good! I have to think about something. I am currently giving up alcohol and sweets until my birthday.

The alcohol part I am not sure if it counts, it's not really hard since I don't drink much anyway and I have done these ceasing periods before. But yesterday I had a hard time grocery shopping and looking longingly at a Lindt chocolate bar. It was calling my name and I had to leave it behind :c

I got scolded the other day for baking too much. A's waistline is expanding again, so he is cutting me off. I'm going to support him and not have sweets myself while I'm out of the house or he is out of the house.

I'm expanding that to junk food. If it comes in a package or its wrapped in cellophane, it's a no go.

So if I didn't make it, or it didn't come from an actual restaurant (no fast food allowed!) Then I won't be consuming it.

I'll bite!!

Things I want to give up are the following:

• all swearing and vulgar language
• bread and grains
• Facebook

Joining with the swearing -my man hates it. Ive cut down loads since I met him but with friends Im still like a trucker...and occasionally swear in front of my boys by accident. So I'm giving that up!! Great thread!!

I have never observed Lent before, so this should be interesting. I'm thinking that I will give up coffee/caffeinated tea for Lent. I've given up caffeine before and felt so much better, but got right back into it after a few months. I think I'm going to try again and hope that it sticks this time. At least I have a concrete goal associated with it. I know I always feel better when I don't drink it for a while (more clear-headed, not so grumpy, decrease in depression/anxiety), but it becomes so difficult to stop once I start drinking it again. After the worst of the withdrawal is over, the cravings are the second worst thing about caffeine "addiction". Not looking forward to it at all.