Lent!
Lent is, once again, upon us. Golly!
As you know, this is when we listen to a lovely rendition of Ave Maria (as well as something somewhat less timeless) and, in recent years, discuss what we’re giving up for Lent.
So, this year, I’m giving up carbs for Lent again. (And talked about it at work and my co-workers have decided to put together a “Biggest Loser” contest to help suck all of the fun out of self-deprivation.) In addition to that, I’m giving up wine which, apparently, also has carbs in it.
I’m not giving up buying video games for Lent this year because, surprisingly, I don’t think I have to do that anymore. Huh. Funny how that worked out.
So it’s just no carbs, no booze, and mindfully working toward mindfully taking pleasure in my vices rather than being joylessly habituated to them.
And, of course, it’s always nice to take Maribou out to the IHOP and talk about how far we’ve come and how far we’ve yet to go.
(And I need another “Oh, I remember that song!” song for the post… here’s one.)
So… what are you giving up for Lent?
EDIT: I’ve decided to close the comments on this post. It was supposed to be a place where people could talk about what they were doing, not about what other people were doing wrong.
EDIT EDIT: I’ve decided to reopen the comments on this post. I’ve opened a post in the sidebar where people can talk about how other people are doing it wrong. If you are inclined to tell other people that they’re doing it wrong, please do it here.
Wine has carbs? Whelp, I guess that rules out ever going on a carb free or reduced carb diet for me. I’ve never had the “fish that shit, I’ll just die early” feeling until now.
I need to go 40 days without social media. I connect with most of my surrogate friends through social media and I’m way too addicted to baby making right now.Report
Wine’s better than beer but, apparently, the only alcohol that still works with a Keto diet is vodka (and only after induction).
The upside is that while in ketosis, your tolerance goes through the basement and so that second glass of wine you eventually have on your eventual cheat day will have you good and toasted.Report
DignityReport
No alcohol. no sugary stuff (which i might cheat on today since the Valentines day sinner place is offering complimentary Proseco and chocolate covered strawberries)Report
I had thought of giving up all added sugars, but I’ve already cut back sharply (attempt to reduce) and giving up the occasional teaspoon of Golden Syrup in my tea, or not having another dessert (other than plain fruit) for 40 days feels like too much right now.
I did the sugar thing last year and it worked OK but I also had the encouragement of routine bloodwork coming towards the end of Lent….this year, I don’t need to worry about that until July.
I thought I might have a go at giving up swearing, but I’ve already broken that this morning 🙁
Some years, I’ve taken on some additional practice, like reading 30 minutes a day of some kind of “devotional type” reading (not necessarily explicitly religious but something designed to push me to improve) but frankly, right now, I’m really busy with stuff, and I don’t know.
I should probably give up spending money frivolously, given the news that more budget cuts may be coming down the pike AND the administration here is considering “changing the benefit structure” for faculty which I assumes mean we will shoulder more of the health-insurance costs. (But then again: my birthday falls in a couple of weeks, and the ONE thing I do for that is take a trip to the somewhat-distant yarn shop).
I’m kind of coming up empty. I tried as a New Year’s resolution to stop taking responsibility for things that weren’t actually my responsibility, but that failed pretty spectacularly.
I dunno. I may take a pass on Lent this year. In my denomination, nothing is technically required of us, though I know lots of people do things (mostly of the “trying to form a new good habit” rather than the “give up some vice” type)Report
I’m trying to cut back on excesses in areas where I tend toward excess.
There are some specifics but this year, for whatever reason, I feel like broadcasting t hem will make me less rather than more likely to manage it.Report
It’s been a while since I’ve given up anything for Lent, although in recent-ish Lents, I’ve given up alcohol. There is this computer game I’ve grown addicted to, and maybe I’ll try to give it up. (I last played it yesterday, Ash Wednesday, so I’ve already broken the vow, but maybe if I start now it’ll all still work.)Report