What to Give Up for Lent: A Guide to Meaningful Sacrifice

Thinking about what to give up for lent this year?

As we approach the season of Lent, many Catholics begin to reflect on how they can prepare their hearts for the Paschal mystery—the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The 40 days leading up to Easter invite us to enter into a deeper relationship with God by giving up certain comforts and distractions. But what should we give up for Lent? How do we ensure that our sacrifices are not only meaningful but also spiritually enriching?

In this article, we’ll explore practical ideas for what to give up for Lent, but also, more importantly, we’ll reflect on how our sacrifices can help us grow closer to Christ and live out the call to holiness.

What are you supposed to give up for Lent?

For Lent, Catholics traditionally give up something that represents a personal sacrifice, like food or habits that distract from God. This could be sweets, social media, or excess consumption. The goal is to turn away from these distractions and draw closer to God through prayer and reflection.

What are the rules to Lent?

Lent involves fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Catholics are called to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. The season lasts 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday. It’s a time of penance, repentance, and spiritual renewal.

What are the three requirements of Lent?

The three core requirements of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer deepens our relationship with God, fasting purifies our hearts, and almsgiving helps us live out charity and solidarity with others. Together, these practices help us focus on spiritual growth and Christ’s sacrifice.

Can you give up more than one thing for Lent?

You can give up more than one thing for Lent. While it’s traditional to focus on one major sacrifice, many people choose multiple areas to fast from, like unhealthy foods, bad habits, or distractions such as social media. The key is to make meaningful sacrifices that foster spiritual growth.

Suggetions For What to Give Up For Lent

1. Social Media and Digital Distractions

In the modern world, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the endless scroll of social media or the constant buzz of notifications. Whether it’s scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or binge-watching Netflix, our screens often become a source of distraction from what really matters. For many, social media can even foster a sense of comparison, envy, or anxiety.

Why give up social media for Lent?

By giving up social media or cutting down your screen time, you create more space for prayer, reflection, and meaningful connections. You are invited to turn away from the distractions of the digital world and focus on the things that truly nourish your soul. Use the extra time to dive deeper into Scripture, attend daily Mass, or spend time in quiet prayer. In doing so, you’ll find that Lent can be a time of profound spiritual renewal.

2. Unhealthy Eating Habits

Fasting is a central part of Lent, and for many Catholics, it’s a time to examine their relationship with food. Rather than just “giving up chocolate” or “fasting from sweets,” consider how your eating habits reflect your deeper spiritual life.

Why give up unhealthy eating habits for Lent?

Fasting doesn’t just involve abstaining from food—it’s about self-discipline and purifying your body to focus on spiritual growth. If you struggle with overeating, junk food, or excessive snacking, Lent offers an opportunity to reorient your relationship with food. By giving up unhealthy eating habits, you can learn to appreciate the nourishment your body receives, while also embracing the discipline of fasting as a way to unite yourself more deeply with Christ’s own sacrifice.

Consider choosing one specific area of your diet to focus on during Lent. Whether it’s cutting out fast food, reducing sugar intake, or fasting from meat on Fridays, make it a prayerful offering. Every time you feel tempted to indulge, offer up your hunger and desire as a small sacrifice for your growth in faith.

3. Gossip and Negative Speech

Lent is a time for inner conversion, and one of the most powerful ways we can improve our spiritual lives is by taming our tongues. Many of us are guilty of engaging in gossip, speaking negatively about others, or indulging in idle chatter. This can be damaging, not only to the people we speak about but to ourselves as well.

Why give up gossip and negative speech for Lent?

Instead of using your words to tear others down, use them to build others up. Speak kindly, generously, and with love. If you find yourself gossiping, pause and reflect on the hurt it may cause, and choose to speak words of kindness and encouragement instead. This act of self-control will not only transform your relationships with others but will also help you grow in charity and humility.

Consider incorporating a daily examination of conscience to reflect on your speech. Ask yourself: Did I speak with charity today? Was I quick to listen and slow to anger? By taking stock of your words, you can be more intentional about the way you speak and use your words as an instrument for God’s glory.

4. Laziness and Procrastination

Laziness and procrastination can be serious obstacles to our spiritual growth. When we procrastinate, we not only delay important tasks but also avoid the things that will help us grow in holiness—such as prayer, Scripture reading, and acts of charity. During Lent, it’s helpful to consider what distractions or habits prevent us from being the best versions of ourselves.

Why give up laziness and procrastination for Lent?

By setting aside laziness, you actively choose to pursue the tasks that help you grow closer to God. This might mean waking up earlier to pray, following through on commitments, or making time for service to others. Lent calls us to take up our cross, which sometimes involves the very mundane—getting up early, completing our responsibilities, and not putting things off.

A helpful approach is to choose one area of your life where you are prone to procrastinate, and intentionally work on being more disciplined in that area. Whether it’s organizing your home, completing projects at work, or spending more time in prayer, actively choosing not to procrastinate will help you stay focused on your spiritual goals. You might like this article: How to Make Your Life A Prayer.

5. Materialism and Excessive Spending

In our consumer-driven world, it’s easy to become attached to material possessions and comfort. Whether it’s shopping for the latest trends or indulging in unnecessary luxuries, we can easily find ourselves seeking fulfillment in things rather than in God.

Why give up materialism and excessive spending for Lent?

Lent invites us to detach from the things of this world and refocus on the things of heaven. Rather than accumulating more material possessions, use the season to practice contentment with what you have. Giving up materialism could mean not buying unnecessary items, being more mindful of your spending, or donating unused clothing or items to those in need.

By choosing to live more simply, you can use the money you save to support charities or ministries that serve the poor and marginalized. Your sacrifice can help others and remind you of the true riches we find in Christ.

6. Pride and Self-Centeredness

Pride is often considered the root of all sin, and Lent provides an opportunity to confront this tendency within ourselves. When we focus too much on ourselves—our achievements, our reputation, or our desires—we lose sight of the humility that Jesus calls us to embrace.

Why give up pride for Lent?

This Lent, consider focusing on humbling yourself before God and others. Let go of the need to be right, the desire for attention, or the compulsion to prove your worth. Instead, embrace humility—serve others without expecting anything in return, offer forgiveness freely, and surrender your will to God’s.

By practicing humility, we become more like Christ, who “humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Choose an area where you struggle with pride and offer it as a prayerful sacrifice, trusting that God will strengthen you in humility.

7. Self-Care and Comfort

It’s important to take care of our physical and mental health, but sometimes we can become too attached to comfort and self-indulgence. In a world that constantly promotes self-care and indulgence, Lent invites us to offer up our comfort and prioritize our relationship with God over personal pleasure.

Why give up comfort for Lent?

Give up an aspect of your self-care routine that has become a distraction or source of overindulgence. Perhaps it’s taking time off from your usual spa treatments, avoiding your favorite TV shows, or cutting back on long hours spent lounging in comfort. Instead, invest that time in prayer, serving others, or reflecting on how you can grow spiritually.

Lent is an invitation to step out of our comfort zone and embrace the discomfort that comes with spiritual growth. By denying ourselves, we draw closer to Christ, who willingly embraced suffering for our sake.

Personal Reflection: Go Deeper

For many years, I approached Lent with a particular focus on giving something up—be it Mt. Dew or my favorite TV show. While these sacrifices were meaningful in their own way, I began to realize that my focus was often on the act of giving something up itself, rather than on the deeper purpose of the season: drawing closer to Christ.

Over time, I found myself feeling like my sacrifices were falling short. The act of giving up a small indulgence might bring a brief sense of self-discipline, but I began to wonder: Was it really transforming my heart? Was it allowing me to grow in love for God and others? The truth is, I was missing the deeper call of Lent: not just to give something up, but to open myself more fully to the grace and presence of God.

That’s when I began to shift my focus. Instead of just giving up a comfort, I decided to embrace the traditional pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—with a new intention. Rather than letting these practices be about denying myself, I focused on how they could help me grow in my relationship with God and turn my heart more deliberately toward Him.

Final Thoughts

Let this season of Lent be an opportunity for transformation. Whatever you choose to give up, remember that the heart of the matter is the conversion of your heart. Lent is not a time to merely deprive ourselves, but a time to prepare for the Resurrection, to share in Christ’s victory over sin and death, and to emerge from this season renewed, joyful, and filled with His love.

Is God is calling you to a deeper relationship with Him this Lenten season? Lent is a time of spiritual renewal, a chance to step away from distractions and draw nearer to God. You are being invited to open your heart to God’s grace, allowing His presence to heal and transform you. Embrace this sacred time to strengthen your connection with God, grow in holiness, and deepen your love. Let this Lent be a time to listen closely to His voice and respond with a devoted heart.

May your sacrifices this Lent bear fruit, drawing you closer to the heart of Christ.