Many Catholics “give up” something for the entire Lenten season. A classic example is giving up chocolate, but you don’t have to stop there!

• Don’t eat what you want. If you want waffles for breakfast, make eggs instead. Instead of drinking orange juice, drink water.
• Give something away—every day. It doesn't need to be money or material things—try complimenting a stranger, teaching someone how to do something, spreading a positive message, helping someone who is in a hurry, or simply smiling at someone generously. You don't need money or material possessions to live a life of staggering generosity!
• Don’t interrupt people. We could probably all do well to spend more time listening, and less time interjecting.
• Stop complaining. What if, instead of complaining, you find constructive ways to talk about your difficulties? What if you look for the good in people instead of focusing on any inconvenience we experience?
• Don’t waste downtime. You don’t have to give up social media or the like entirely, but you can be intentional about not using it during specific times. Take that time instead to pray, to breathe, to reach out to someone around you.