If you are struggling to find something to give up this year, here are some of the most common things Irish people give up for lent.
Irish people are notorious for starting something and then giving it up, even New Year’s resolutions.
We like to think that we have the willpower and motivation to go to the gym every day, give up chocolate, or spend less time on social media. Yet, after a short time, we fall back into the same old routine.
Then lent comes around, and we have the chance to do it all over again, only this time it’s only for 40 days and 40 nights, and that’s doable for us, right?
Well, there are certain things Irish people tend to give up for lent year after year. So, let’s take a look at the ten most common things Irish people give up for lent.
10. Complaining – it’s a hard task
Irish people do love to complain, and we know this. However, the opposite of complaining is gratitude.
So, at this time of the year, many Irish people like to give up complaining and instead switch to saying things that express gratitude. Or at least we try!
9. Fast food – time to get healthy
Lent is a great time to change our routines, especially when it takes between 21 and 28 days to form a new habit.
This is the best time to give up things such as fast food, junk food, and the like.
8. Watching too much TV – detox from the telly box
Irish people love anything to distract us or help us de-stress after a long day at work. TV is one of the ways we do this.
At this time of year, cutting down on our TV time is one of the most common things Irish people give up for lent.
7. Shopping – leaving the luxuries behind
Traditionally, lent was all about giving up luxuries, and shopping is certainly a luxury for many of us.
So, at lent, many Irish people like to try to give up this unnecessary hobby and save some money.
6. Social media – putting the phone away
Social media has become such a big part of our lives that we get so engrossed in it, and hours just fade away.
This is something many of us have realised, with plenty of Irish people attempting a 40-day social media detox during lent.
5. Sugar – we are sweet enough
This could be sweets, biscuits, sugar in our tea, or sugar on our cereal. Overall, we feel like giving up sugar for 40 days will do us some good, especially after the sugar rush of Christmas.
This is one of the most common things Irish people give up for lent.
4. Blasphemy – we’ll find alternatives
Irish people are notorious for using blasphemy in all forms, which we have always done.
Still, surely at lent, we should cut back? Well, we try our best anyway.
3. Alcohol – we can try our best to give up this common Irish pastime
Irish people trying to give up alcohol is like cows trying to give up eating grass; it’s just not going to happen.
Still, if there is a time to attempt it, it’s lent. And, believe us when we say we try our best to get through these 40 days of no alcohol.
2. Cigarettes – no better time to do it
Lent is a great time to give up the things you try so hard to give up at other times of the year. It’s almost like a test run.
Such that if we succeed with 40 days, we can continue forever, right? Cigarettes are definitely one of the most common things Irish people give up for lent.
1. Cursing – the hardest of all
Irish people just love to swear, and you will hear a swear word in almost every conversation between people in Ireland because that is just the culture.
It helps us emphasise things and fill a gap in the conversation. However, sometimes it can offend people, hence why many of us try to give up cursing for lent.
So, chances are one of these is on your list of things to give up at lent, and if not, perhaps you’ve got a few new ideas.
Whatever the outcome, we Irish like to give it a try at least, which is why you are sure to hear of someone giving up one of these common things Irish people give up for lent.
