Channel your guilt into productivity:
Its round two of the guilt trip season! New Years came and went, but those five pounds still have not. Lent is here, and while many of us may not be Catholic or even religious, 40 days is undeniably a more realistic time frame to complete goals; as opposed to the 365 days between each New Year. Here are some guidelines to help you make the best of the time in between the ashes on your forehead for Ash Wednesday, and the Cadbury eggs in your belly on Easter.
If you’re going to be traditional and give something up for Lent, be realistic about what you’re promising. Are you actually going to quit all nighters and drinking? Let’s be honest, you’re in college, and it isn’t going to happen. Don’t give up things that make you happy or increase your quality of life either, like preventing yourself from enjoying an occasional desert or diet coke. Just because something isn’t technically good for your body, doesn’t mean there is no benefit!
Here are the Dos and Don’ts of the Lent season.
1. DON’T give up shopping; DO give up impulse buying.
If there is something you really want to buy, and have thought about, don’t hold yourself back from buying it. However, if you walk into Gucci and decide you need a new belt because yours doesn’t shine as bright as it used to, consider it an impulse, and ignore it.
2. DON’T quit going out to eat; DO quit eating fast food.
Why should you have to miss out on going to dinner for a friend’s birthday, or going “dutch” on a date? Don’t lower your quality of life by holding yourself back from enjoying good food and company. Instead, delete Domino’s number in your phone book and throw some bagel bites in the microwave.
3. DON’T give up swearing; DO stop directing your swearing at people.
You stub your toe and happens? You drop the “F bomb”. At this point, curse words are often impulse responses. However, try to hold your tongue when you start to refer to that girl you don’t like as a “C” word.
4. DON’T give up Facebook; DO give up stalking your ex-boyfriend’s profile.
Do what you need to do, unsubscribe, de-friend, whatever it takes! Remember when your mom told you that she used to drive past her high school sweet heart’s house to see if he was home or if some other girl’s car was in his driveway? You thought she was off her rocker, right? This is the modern day “drive by” only you’re doing it on a bi-hourly basis (we are all guilty).
5. DON’T give up your social life; DO give up social cigarettes.
By day you hold your breath when you walk past a group of smokers, but by night you’re chain smoking. Avoid “bumming a butt” off of someone outside a party, and reap the benefits of hair that smells like shampoo the next morning, and a voice that can be distinguished from your great-aunt’s.
6. DON’T join a convent; DO take part in something spiritual.
You may not believe in organized religion, but there are many benefits for getting in touch with your inner self. Go to a yoga/meditation class, read up on your astrological signs, or attend a church service for the first time in five years.
Remember: Adults formed organized religions. Although you may have ditched your jumper and “Veggie Tales” videotapes, religious figures are not the equivalent to Santa Clause. Understanding the meaning of Lent and participating in some way, isn’t the same as writing a letter to the North Pole. Religion is the foundation of culture in society, and it is the base of all the values implemented in the modern world. Rather then forcing yourself to hate this time of year because it makes you reconsider your vices, remember the origin of Lent and the sacrifices that it represents.