Similar to New Year Resolutions, Lenten Promises are meant to make us reevaluate ourselves as people and as Catholics. And, also similar to resolutions, Lenten Promises can sometimes be hard to keep. That may be so, but we try nonetheless. Here are 7 things to give up, or try extra, that are outside the usual and have the potential to change you this Lenten season, even if you slip up a bit.
1. Freerice.com
I LOVE freerice.com, and I have for many years. It's a site, which, after a quick sign up (you can also play as a guest), allows you to answer questions and make a difference. There are 21 different subjects from Famous Quotations to German to Flags of The World and more. For every question you answer correctly, 10 grains are donated to a country in need. Set a certain number of grains for yourself per day, and, after 40 days, that adds up pretty quickly.
2. Black and white phone
Most people can agree that we spend too much time on technology, namely our phones. In today's day and age, it's hard to give up phones completely. An option to circumvent this is to turn the phone to gray scale. It's a total drag to look at, but your phone will still work 100%. In addition, you'll find that you won't waste time doing frivolous things on your phone. Since I did this to my own phone, my phone usage has gone down 83%.
3. A minute extra running
I have a life philosophy of don't run unless you're being chased, but I'm here for physical health. This is a simple way to partake in self-care without practically training for a marathon. Start by running for 5 minutes. Easy peezy. Even out of shape, that's a realistic enough place to start. Add two minutes to each subsequent week on running, and, by the end of this season, you'll be running a good amount every day having steadily worked your way there.
4. Extra cans when shopping
When you or your parents go shopping, make a point to pick up a few extra nonperishable goods. This could be anything from canned veggies to peanut butter, but if you figure you go shopping three or four times in a month, doing this four to five times during Lent will add up without seeming like it. Drop all these off at your local food bank as soon as Easter comes.
5. Reuse money for sweets
We all love the generic promise of giving up sweets, but, why not go an extra step. Every time you get the urge to buy yourself some sweets then don't, set aside the money you've saved. At the end of lent, take the money you've put aside, and put it in the collection at Easter Mass.
6. A book of the bible per week
Obviously, you won't get through the entire bible or even a notable fraction, but it's a start. Even the longest of books can be worked through in a week. Decide which books you like ahead of time, then work your way through them to gain a deeper understanding in your faith.
Feel free to spread your idea for other Lenten Promises! I've tried all these at one point or another (to varying successes), and I would 12/10 recommend.