Many of us talk about giving something up for Lent. There are many traditions related to this Christian festival, however, just like Christmas, Easter is now commonplace in our annual secular celebrations. Whilst you might be celebrating Lent with traditional religious activities, you might want to use this period of 40 days to make a change or do something in your own life. Let’s have a look at 6 ideas for an alternative Lent.
What Is Lent?
Lent is the six weeks (40 days not including Sundays) leading up to Easter. It is perhaps the most important festival in the Christian calendar. Lent takes place at a different time each year, because Easter takes place on a different date every year, unlike the set date of Christmas. It is determined by lunar activity. So the date of Easter is set based on a calculation known as computus, which is Latin for computation. Easter is on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after the date of 21st March. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.
What Is Traditionally Done During Lent?
Traditionally and for followers of Christianity, Lent is a season of reflection. It is also used as preparation for the celebration of Easter. The 40 days is a replication of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for the same amount of time. The event is marked by fasting. This is usually fasting from food but also festivities. As well as prayer, personal reflection, and biblical study. For many, there are other things they want to do, using this period of time as an alternative Lent.
Alternative Lent Ideas
Give Up Something Specific
Many people consider giving something up for Lent. It could be chocolate, which is quite a popular one before enjoying an Easter egg after 40 days! Maybe you want to give up smoking, this is the perfect opportunity to kick the habit. Other ideas could be to stop drinking alcohol for the duration or stop watching TV. There are many things, some more personal than others, that we may want to give up for Lent.
Acts Of Kindness
Rather than giving something up, how about giving back? A random act of kindness every day will spread so much joy and you will feel fantastic about the impact that you are having on other people’s lives and the community around you. If you don’t fancy paying for someone else’s coffee or maybe don’t have the confidence to approach someone in the street with a gift, how about donating to a foodbank instead? This is an act of kindness in itself and you could fill a couple of carrier bags throughout Lent with 40 items to donate.
Get Up Earlier
Do you find yourself lazing about in the mornings? Turning over after hitting the alarm clock? How about, for 40 days, you get up earlier? Imagine what you could do with all that extra time. An hour earlier for 40 days is almost two days of time you have reclaimed. Do something you’ve wanted to do for ages. Go for a run, work out, learn a new language, study, spend time in prayer, or do some Pilates. Anything you fancy! It could be the start of a brand-new habit!
Get Rid Of Things
Do you find yourself surrounded by clutter? Do you find it difficult to even begin getting rid of stuff? How about putting a box in the corner of the living room, or perhaps in the garage out of the way, and every day for the 40 days, taking something out of your house that you no longer need, want, or use? That way, by the end of Lent you have a huge box of things to donate to a charity shop. It’s a great way to make some space and helps start the process of getting rid of things you no longer want in your life.
Use This Time To Complete A Challenge & Fundraise
How do you fancy taking on a Lent-length challenge, or using this time to prepare for a challenge at the end of the 40 days? You could push yourself, your mind, and your body to new limits, all whilst fundraising for a charity that is close to your heart. Share it on your social media pages and watch the money trickle in, in support of you and the great cause.
Sort Out Your Finances
As this is a money blog, how about using the 40 days of lent to sort out your finances? Maybe you could direct some money to your savings account, or pay off your debt. It might be that you need to rebuild an emergency fund after dipping into it recently, or maybe you have a goal to reach in order to pay for a summer holiday. Lent can be the perfect time to sort your money out.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are doing something biblical and faith-filled, or perhaps going down the route of giving back to charity, Lent is a great time to reflect, on the lives we are leading and those things we are prioritising. What changes do you want to make? An alternative Lent could be the perfect time to make that change!
