Let's face it: every year when we make a goal for lent we kind of cheat ourselves (and God) by giving up something that will be easy to stay away from. No wonder I never break my lenten promises: They are too easy. These are some things that we all could cut out of our everyday routine. Who needs lent to change a habit? Even your most guilty pleasures can be cut out if you put your mind to it.
1. Social Media
I have thought about it every year and even considered doing it a few times in high school when I Instagrammed maybe once a semester-- but now it is unfathomable. As bad as it sounds, I can't imagine even going a day without social media and I seriously applaud anyone who can stay away for social media during Lent.
2.Coffee
We were at breakfast the other day and my sister said she was giving up coffee for lent and my jaw dropped. As a religious coffee drink, I can't imagine giving up my most coveted daily routine. If I had to go more than one day without my two cups of coffee, I think I would lose it.
3.Netflix
Why is it that I have to watch an episode of something before going to bed at night? I used to watch Netflix on the weekends are a reward for a tough week or maybe a long day but as the school year goes on I find myself turning on Netflix at times where I could be eating, sleeping, or studying. It definitely wouldn't hurt to go back to those times when Netflix was a sweet reward for my hard work.
4.Complaining
Something we are all guilty of-- whether we notice it or not-- complaining can poison almost any conversation. Although a lot of my friends would never call me out on it, I find myself complaining about something just to hear myself talk. Everyone around me could benefit from me cutting complaining out of my life.
5.Wasting Food
Many people have ambitious food goals for Lent such as "chocolate" or even worse "junk food". I personally could never give up any sort of food because I have zero self control. But maybe instead of giving up a specific food item (wings), I could give up ordering so much (10 wings vs 6) because let's be honest I never finish it. Wasting food is a bad habit that forces us to realize how blessed we are to even have leftover food.
Although it might not be plausible for us to cut out these things out of our lives (hellllooo Fuller House on Netflix) it is definitely reasonable to cut down. Lent is a time for reflection so why don't we make more conscious decisions to change the way we behave. Soon enough it will become to new normal because slow improvement is better than no improvement at all.
