Lent begins on Wed., March 5, 2025. Have you thought about what you’re doing for Lent?
Here’s a list of challenges for the Lenten season that might help you deeply ponder this season's purpose.
1) Sweet treats.
This one may sound simple, but it's often the hardest to give up. With the rise of the "sweet treat" trend, getting hooked is easy. This Lent, challenge yourself to go beyond just one type of sugary snack and give them all up.
2) Clean out your closet.
Lent is a great opportunity to donate to your local charities and a chance for you to make space in your closet and heart for the Lenten season. Plus, it might be the perfect time to let your sister borrow that one shirt of yours she’s been begging to wear.
3) Give up Meat throughout Lent.
Instead of waiting to abstain from meat until Friday, try restricting yourself completely from it for 40 days.
4) Complaining.
Challenge yourself to do it anyway, without finding excuses. If you want to take the extra step, put a dollar in a jar and donate it to charity every time you fail by the end of Lent.
5) Wastefulness.
Whether it's food, garbage, or gas, we tend to waste many resources readily available to us. Let us be mindful of what we use and only take what we need. Try walking or riding a bike to places you usually drive. Think about using reusable bags or containers when storing food or grocery shopping.
6) Listening to your favorite artist.
Take a break from listening to artists we might unknowingly idolize. Try listening to something that draws your attention towards Christ and away from those who may hinder growth in your faith.
7) Oversleeping.
Some days we fall into the habit of waking up at our leisure. This Lent, make a point to set an alarm and be disciplined about waking up at the same time each day.
8) Spending money on unnecessary items.
A good trick for Lent might be to delete Apple Pay and the cards in your online wallet. The impulse buying will subside.
9) Excessive talking.
Challenge yourself to communicate more effectively by using fewer words. This will open space for others to share thoughts or opinions. This might give you a chance to restrict yourself on using filler words such as “umm" and “like.”
10) Comfortability and leisure.
Notice when you’re reaching for extra comforts, like a sweater or coffee, and choose to forgo it. Think about what you might use throughout the day to make yourself more comfortable and try limiting those things.
11) Negativity.
It is so easy to fall into the habit of viewing everything through a negative lens. Instead, try to think about what you are grateful for. This will allow you to think more positively and appreciate everything you have.
12) Looking in the mirror often.
This helps us focus less on our appearance and more on the state of our soul.
13) Fearfulness.
So many of us suffer from worrying about how others perceive us and how we might fail. Take this Lent as an opportunity to be courageous and strive to be confident in all that you do.
14) Procrastination and avoidance.
Do what you can now. Try not to avoid tasks that you can accomplish right away.
15) Jealousy.
Try to focus on developing who you are as a person instead of what you don’t have that others might.
16) Give up…yourself?
Instead of giving up something in the physical sense, you might be able to push yourself in areas you may be lacking in. Giving alms, volunteering at your local pregnancy center, and giving food to the homeless are just a few ideas.
17) Trying to control everything.
Allow things to happen in God’s time. In moments you want to take over, pray.
18) Convenience. Uber Eats
Whatever you do in your day to make your life easier, try cutting it out. For example, Uber/Uber Eats or takeout. Try eliminating things that make your life more convenient.
19) Laziness.
Try committing to making your bed every morning or not hitting the snooze button on your alarm. When making lunch, make others lunch too, or offer to do their dishes. Think about ways to extend yourself.
20) Making assumptions, gossiping, or, criticizing others.
If you have a habit of overly criticizing others and making judgments based on assumptions, now is a good time to commit to destroying those habits.
21) Being distracted and inattentive.
Whenever you notice you've zoned out or aren’t listening, challenge yourself to remain focused on the task and put forth your best effort.
22) Disregarding God's image in your neighbor.
Take a moment to smile at someone you pass by every day. Start a conversation with the person you’ve never spoken to and reach out to those you've overlooked.
23) Hot showers.
This is a specific one, but it is its battle in itself!
24) Immodesty.
This could be interpreted not only in the way you dress but in how you speak to others as well.
25) Your morning Starbucks runs
We’re ending this list with a proactive one. Skip those morning coffee trips and purchase from our friends dedicated to their vocations in the religious life who roast coffee to support their lifestyle. You can support the Carmelite monks here.
Lent is a chance for you to push yourself and create opportunities that can form you into a better person.
Committing to participating in Lent in these ways will expand the number of opportunities for you to grow closer to Christ through acts of self-denial.
If you can handle pushing yourself a little more than the last Lenten season, may this article encourage you to grow deeper in your friendship with Christ. Let us remind ourselves of His sacrifice to the world and have this motivate us to die to ourselves to allow Him to shine through us.
Hopefully, these recommendations can spark some ideas to ponder and take with you this Lenten season.