Posted February 21, 2012 So, after pancake day begins 40 days of Lent, the tradional time where you give up something you love for 40 days (until Easter). Past years i've given up just chocolate, but i'm thinking of giving up 2 things this year, be it Pepsi and Chocolate. Anyone giving anything up for Lent this year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 I drink an extreme amount of Dr. Pepper. I would give that up, but I simply couldn't manage it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 Hmm I'd give up chocolate, but it feels a bit pointless when I have a box of them sitting on my desk, waiting to be eaten. Or knowing that Jim has bought me a chocolate egg that is waiting for me in the UK. =P Plus we have a big family reunion this weekend and I need to make desserts for it together with my sisters... so keeping off the chocolate will be impossible haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 I'm going to give up giving up stuff for Lent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 Lent and new year resolutions are proven to be counter productive: they carry negative connotations making them harder to stick to and, when you inevitably fail, you feel worse about yourself for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 I don't observe Lent. However I went to a Catholic primary school, so it was amusing to listen to everyone's ambitious declarations of what they were going to give up. Some planned a reprieve on St. Patrick's Day. I'm going to give up giving up stuff for Lent. And all the smartasses said exactly that :p Or "I'm giving up homework!" etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 Reminds me of when I was in sixth form and everyone tried to give masterbating. Don't reckon anyone managed more than about 3 days. Aanyway. Giving up sweets / chocolate. I eat like a pack of shit every day. Jelly babys / skittles, whatever. Can't be good really. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) If it has to be something I love, I guess I'll have to give up porn. Edited February 21, 2012 by Magnus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 Caring. And possibly soda as I've cut down a lot lately thanks to my new obsession with tea and I really need to kick out the habit of picking up a can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 I'm gonna give up rape jokes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 21, 2012 Jesus went to the desert for 40 days, and gave up sweets as well. In honour of that I will give up... Limes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 22, 2012 In the thinking that everyone breaks their fast when they give stuff up for Lent, I have decided to give up sex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 22, 2012 I do anti-lent, where I take something up for 40 days. I'm currently mulling the possibilities of learning backgammon gambling or chocolate-based cocktails. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 22, 2012 (edited) http://www.facebook.com/vinnie The Panda speaks wonders. No one is giving up Fox's Biscwits I hope? Edited February 22, 2012 by EEVILMURRAY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 I have never given up something for lent.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 I've not given up something for Lent but it sounds pretty interesting. Give something up that you have a struggle giving up for forty days pretty much sounds like a challenge and a test of willpower. I wouldn't know what I'd give up though, lmao. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 Can I give up going to church? ... oh wait it has to be something you like doesn't it (My wife & mother make me go with them, I stopped fighting it to avoid more arguments and just mentally scream for 30mins... last 6 weeks have been great cause both of them went to the Philippines for holiday so I had my sundays to myself... but wife is home now... frak it) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 Can I give up going to church? ... oh wait it has to be something you like doesn't it (My wife & mother make me go with them, I stopped fighting it to avoid more arguments and just mentally scream for 30mins... last 6 weeks have been great cause both of them went to the Philippines for holiday so I had my sundays to myself... but wife is home now... frak it) Tell them that the bible states that you should not pray together in groups and that prayers are meant to be private and between you and god and so you don't need to go to church every Sunday. True story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 That's stupid. Just get a divorce, Mokong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 Well I gave up booze 2 years running...one time lasted the whole 40 days and then waited till the turn of midnight and got hammered the 2nd year I was at uni and I only lasted 20ish days and then went out on the lash with my mates and think got into a fight of sorts lol. Past few years I've given up sodas (successfully) and chocolate, also gave up white bread (and never gone back to it) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 That's stupid. Just get a divorce, Mokong. haha That wouldn't work I'd still be stuck with having to drive my mother to mass (my father is a lazy cunt and she doesn't drive) I actually think my mother is the reason it's an every sunday thing (unless we are away), the missus doesn't mind missing it a few times... she does afterall have to put up with my reglion sized gaming worship too, haha. Anyway back on topic, the funny thing I find about Lent is that St. Patricks Day is always in the middle of it, over here it's kind of tradition that it is ok to break your Lent thing on St Patricks Day as it's considered a "free day".... especially if you've given up alcohol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 Lent and new year resolutions are proven to be counter productive: they carry negative connotations making them harder to stick to and, when you inevitably fail, you feel worse about yourself for it. Do the opposite then and and make an effort to do something positive for 40 days. Aim to do more exercise than usual or go to the gym more often. Or it could even be something as simple as aiming to say 'Hello' to people. I've been making an effort over the last few months to be much better on the phone. Whenever I phone up a support line I'll always ask the guy on the other end how they're doing and make sure to say their name whenever possible. "Thanks for your help, Dan.". If you treat other people well you'll be treated well back. I will be giving up fizzy juice for Lent (other than as a mixer) as since going to Oman over Christmas I have yet again become addicted to Coca Cola. I also signed up to the gym yesterday but that was something I'd been planning on doing anyway; it just happened to coincide with Lent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 23, 2012 I was going to make an effort to stop being apathetic, but I can't be bothered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 24, 2012 Do the opposite then and and make an effort to do something positive for 40 days. Aim to do more exercise than usual or go to the gym more often. Or it could even be something as simple as aiming to say 'Hello' to people. I've been making an effort over the last few months to be much better on the phone. Whenever I phone up a support line I'll always ask the guy on the other end how they're doing and make sure to say their name whenever possible. "Thanks for your help, Dan.". If you treat other people well you'll be treated well back. I will be giving up fizzy juice for Lent (other than as a mixer) as since going to Oman over Christmas I have yet again become addicted to Coca Cola. I also signed up to the gym yesterday but that was something I'd been planning on doing anyway; it just happened to coincide with Lent. What I mean is the very idea of giving something up / striving to do more is negative. It goes like this: - give up chocolate for 40 days! - Pressure! Remember, don't eat chocolate! Just think about it constantly so you don't! - Shit now I really want chocolate because it's all I'm thinking about! - om nom nom nom nom - oh, god! The shame! - shame drives you to eat more chocolate than ever. You are forever alone, you waste of fatty space. basically, forcing yourself in to good behaviour this way(by attaching significance like Lent and new year resolutions) it's something you're demanding of yourself, not really wanting of yourself. It makes the abstinence negative in your brain and when you inevitably fail, you feel worse than ever. Obviously that's not going to be everyone, but it's the majority. We're just wired that way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
