42 Creative Ideas of What to Give up for Lent

Disposable plastics are slowly choking the earth. Use Lent as a time to try new reusable swaps and cut down on the amount of single-use waste you generate with reusable mugs, coffee pods, cutlery, bowl covers, and more.

God made you perfectly. Even if there are things you want to change about your appearance, embrace self-love by cutting out the negative self-talk and focusing on gratitude for all the amazing things your body can do for you, no matter what it looks like.

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Make an effort not to look away when you see someone experiencing homelessness or asking for money. If you don’t feel comfortable giving cash, try carrying small food items like granola bars to share.

Give up a weekend or two during Lent to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, food pantry or church. It's a great way to help people, and you'll feel good getting to see your positive impact.

It’s good to be engaged with current events, but staying informed can cross the line into being harmful when you constantly take in an influx of negative news. Focus on replacing doomscrolling with more positive news or with active ways that you can help through charity or service.

Focusing on supporting local businesses that pay workers a fair wage and sell responsibly sourced goods. Yes, it's more expensive, but it supports your local community, workers, and the environment at the same time.

You don't have to take an ice-cold shower, but try taking one that's lukewarm instead of hot. It will definitely help you remember those who don't have access to the same everyday luxuries that you do.

It seems like everyone is always in a rush. Intentionally slow down this Lent and try to give up being impatient. This can look like avoiding road rage, letting people cut ahead of you in line, being gracious to people who are running late, or even just walking more slowly instead of hurrying all the time.

Trade your carpool karaoke session for some quiet time. Use this uninterrupted time to grow closer to God through prayer and mindful reflection.

After a stressful day, it can be hard not to fall into a cycle of complaining to release some steam. And while venting can help you move forward, try to avoid unnecessary complaining during Lent. Instead, reflect on what you are grateful for and try to redirect your focus in that direction.

Rather than leaving dirty dishes in the sink, clean laundry in the basket, or a week's worth of mail on the kitchen counter, stay on top of clutter in your home. You can get the whole family involved by assigning each member a task and playing some music in the background to make chore time fly by.

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Whether or not you're trying to reach a Goodreads Goal in 2025, making time to read more during Lent (and beyond) is always a good idea. Put down your phone after dinner and pick up a spiritual book, a thriller, a romance or a memoir you've been wanting to read.

The next time you're tempted to hit "add to cart," take a moment to think about if it's something you actually need. Keep the item in your shopping cart for a day or two, then make your decision. Chances are, you can go without it — for Lent, at least!

If you're one of the 20 to 30% of people who bite their nails, use the next 40 days to kick this bad habit to the curb. Once you identify your triggers, you'll be able to come up with a solution that works for you, whether it's splurging on a fresh mani or coating your nails with a special deterrent polish.

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Instead of mindlessly swiping and scrolling, log off the apps and spend the next month working toward clarity about what kind of love you're looking for. That way, when Lent's over, you can sign back in with renewed energy and focus.

Curling, straightening and blow-drying your hair takes a toll over time. Give your hair a break from the heat to bring back its natural shine and save you tons of time each day. With those extra minutes back, maybe you could squeeze in a daily devotional or meditation.

It's easy to mindlessly scroll through your phone when you're eating. But even if you're eating by yourself, putting down your phone can help you enjoy your meal more.

During the daily grind, it's easy to tell ourselves we'll call or text our loved ones later — and then later never comes. Take time every day to send someone you care about a quick text or give them a call to show how much they mean to you.

It's one of the hardest things to do, but offering forgiveness to someone who has hurt you can do wonders for not just them, but your own mental health. And it's equally important to forgive yourself, don't forget.

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Think you can go 40 days without Netflix? What about Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime or HBO Max? Try logging out of your favorite streaming services for the next 40 days. You'll be surprised how much extra time you have when you're not pressing, "Yes, I'm still watching."