Lent 2020 ideas: The TEN things YOU can take up for Lent this week
LENT is supposed to be a time to give things up - but you may choose to take a new hobby up instead this year.
Ash Wednesday: What does it signify?
Lent is a time for giving things up - part of the Christian tradition of fasting for 40 days. If you don’t fancy sacrificing something and would rather put your time into actively doing something positive, there are plenty of options. Here are ten ideas you can try this Lent.
1. Make more time for your family
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life- from working to catching up with friends.
We often neglect our families and use ‘business’ as an excuse.
Why not dedicate a day every week to spending some quality time with family?
2. Go to the gym
You’ve been putting it off for ages, and it’s time to fulfil those fitness dreams.
If you’re a total gym newbie, have one morning/evening a week that you dedicate to the cause.
You can always increase the amount of sessions you do a week, but it’s important to break yourself into it.
3. Get a new hobby
If you’re rubbish at cooking or would love to learn how to knit, here’s your chance to spend some time honing a new skill.
Alone or with a friend or partner, getting involved in a hobby can take you away from the stresses of working-life and release endorphins.
4. Read a book
Not everyone has time to join a book club, but we can all take half an hour to get cosy and unwind with a good book.
Just because you’re not in school anymore, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new.
Whether you’re after a romance novel to warm your heart, a juicy tell-all biography, a sci-fi adventure novel, or even a self help book- there’s something for everyone.
5. Reconnect with your faith
Have you forgotten that Lent is a religious observance in Christianity?
If you’re Christian, try and remember what it was that made you take part in Lent.
You could commit to praying every day, or go to Church on Sundays.
This is a great thing to do no matter what faith you believe in.
6. Be more selfish
This sounds like a bad thing to aspire to do, but sometimes we don’t take enough ‘me-time’.
If you’re a ‘yes’ person, you might focus on saying no to things that you don’t want to do.
Or, this might involve more self-care, like having a nice hot bath every day, or starting a new Netflix series.
7. Befriend an elderly person
There are so many lonely people in the world, and the elderly take the biggest hit.
Get in contact with an elderly charity, like Age UK, and find out how you can spend time with an older person who needs a friend.
For someone who is lonely and doesn’t have anyone to turn to, a cup of coffee and a chat could brighten their whole week.
8. Tidy up
If you’re someone who is messy or disorganised, try and reverse this.
Hoarding creates a lot of clutter and make your home a stressful environment.
Give the things you don’t need to charity, or sell them to someone who would make use of them.
Commit to making better habits, like making your bed every single morning or cleaning the kitchen counter every night.
9. Start journalling
Ranting to whoever you live with can pass negative thoughts on to others, try writing it down instead.
Journalling could also help with organisation and budgeting.
10. Being grateful
It's easy to think about everything you don't have rather than everything you're lucky to have.
How about starting the day reminding yourself of three things you're grateful for that day, and ending every day the same way.
This might improve your outlook on life.