What I’m Doing for Lent

It’s Ash Wednesday and in the world of content creation and planning ahead, this post is late. But in the world of immediacy, I feel like I’m right on time. So who’s really winning here? In case you’re one of the folks looking for ideas on what to give up for Lent on Ash Wednesday, allow me to share what I’m giving up for Lent this year.

I’ve always felt rather prepared for Lent. Then I open Facebook or Instagram the week of Ash Wednesday or even on Ash Wednesday and my mind is jumbled with doing this, that or the other thing that my friends & strangers are doing for their Lenten sacrifice. Before you know it, I’m giving up coffee, chocolate, gluten, TV and cussing. Plus, I’m adding in daily prayer, a daily rosary and three online Lenten programs. And guess what has happened every single time? Yeppers: I make it through the first Sunday of Lent and quit it all. Ok, maybe I’ve kept up with one of the online things. I have really enjoyed the Pray More Novenas Lent retreats in the past. It’s easy & low key, yet fruitful. They email you the daily videos or reflections.

2020 was the first year that I started saying no to more. It was the first year I leaned into really trying to connect with the Lord through my Lenten practice(s) instead of making it some kind of 40 day challenge to better myself. Obviously that year turned out to be the Lent of all Lents what with a global pandemic changing so much about this typical liturgical season. I wasn’t able to go to mass. I wasn’t able to connect with my women’s group in person (we zoomed, which was a blessing.) What I did do was the one thing I knew I could do. I followed along in my Blessed is She devotional for the season. Major BIS fan girl over here.

Picture of the Grand Canyon through some trees.
A picture I snapped on my visit to the Grand Canyon in February 2022

Ok, so what am I doing for Lent this year?

Pretty much the same thing I’ve done since 2020. Less.

I’m fasting from:

  • Excess – this is a little hard to define but it’s just a general cutting back of mindless excess. Be it in the form of food, scrolling social, binging TV, ignoring my house keeping responsibilities, etc. Life is to short to waste it.

For spiritual growth:

  • Blessed is She’s All She Had devotional – a daily devotional journal that lasts through Easter Sunday
  • Blessed is She’s The Well mentorship program – an 8-week intimate prayer group, led by Beth Davis to help us grow in our relationship with the Lord

That’s it.

I mean, that’s not it-it. I’m still going to be praying my typical morning & night prayer, trying to make a weekly Holy Hour and going to mass on Sundays. But like, in terms of “special things for Lent,” see above.

When you use my referral link to Blessed is She, you get $20 off your first purchase of $100. Use coupon code: REFFG6ZBJQY7Q.

What about you?

What are you fasting from this Lent? Do you do a fast + add where you give up a vice and add something to help deepen your spiritual life? I’d love to hear!

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