40+ Unique Fasting Ideas for Lent

Fasting Ideas for Lent: In this post I will be sharing 40+ ideas for Lenten fasting and sacrifice that are unrelated to food.

Fasting for Lent

I started this list several years ago when I came to the realization that I had been pregnant or breastfeeding most of my adult life, and that was likely to continue (yay for babies!). Read more about my little family of 7 here.

I started this with the idea that I would sometimes be in a place where I desired to make sacrifices but ultimately was not being called to survive on bread and water.

Then the list developed as the kids and I came up with little daily sacrifices they could do, too.

I made this list of fasting ideas for Lent, but a lot of these ideas are great to use all year round, too. For example, if you want to add an extra penance for a special intention, or if you need an idea for a Friday that accidentally started with bacon. Just me? No?

The only common thread here is that not one of these offerings are food related, but in an attempt to give some structure I am dividing it by headlines with type of fasting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these Lent sacrifices required?

No, none of the things on my list of ideas are required. These are all merely ideas.

Should I fast from food?

Traditional fasting from food is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The original idea of this post was to give lenten sacrifice ideas for those who are in a state of life where they can’t complete a traditional sacrifice.

List of Ideas for Lent Fasting

Fasting from Daily Comforts

If you are like me, you likely live a more comfortable and convenient life than at any other time in history. Sometimes making small comfort sacrifices can be just the ticket to helping me have a grateful heart.

Light: Fast from the light switch in your bedroom. Put a piece of tape over it. Get dressed in the dimness. It will get brighter throughout Lent. Did you know, the etymology of the word Lent actually connects to the lengthening of the day? Read about that here.
Pillow: Fast from your pillow, or from your favourite pillow, your second pillow, or your body pillow. If you are pregnant or have chronic pain or sleep problems, this may not be for you.
Bedding: Fast from your comfy duvet. Use a quilt that you don’t prefer. Maybe don’t do this if you have sleep terrorist children though.
Cold Feet: Fast from putting your cold feet on your spouse (I can’t be the only one).
Favourite cozies: Or fast from your favourite sweater or leggings.
Slippers: Fast from your slippers. Brr! This is the stuff of medieval hair shirts folks. Definitely don’t combine this with #5.

Interior Life

Criticism of self: Fast from inner criticisms and negative self-talk.
Uncouth Language: Give up bad language. Don’t even replace it, just be silent.
Criticism of others: Fast from criticizing others, even in your head.
Patience: You can fast from impatience. Probably. It might be hard to do, but even driving a little slower or purposefully letting someone go ahead of your in the grocery store checkout line could be tangible ways to cultivate patience.
Control: Fast from the need to control others. This could look like not arguing to get your own way.
Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube: Give up listening to entertainment in order to listen more to God.

Fasting from Little Vanities

Jeans: Fast from your favourite jeans and wear a skirt to mass.
Hair: Go an extra day before washing your hair.
Hot water: Turn the water just a little cooler than you wish it were while you shower.
Conditioner: Skip conditioner.
Blow dryer: Give up your blow dryer or styling tool.
Hair products: Skip your favourite styling product.
Scented products and perfumes: Fast from scented products. Yes, dryer sheets count! They are endocrine disruptors anyway!
Creams and lotions: Replace your hand cream with a simple homemade salve.
Electric toothbrush: Use a regular toothbrush instead of electric. Go zero waste and switch to bamboo!
Makeup: Fast from makeup, or from one makeup product you ran out of. Donate the money you were going to spend at BeautyCounter to St Vincent de Paul Society.
Shopping for clothes: Avoid clothes shopping. Donate your budget for that to a pregnancy centre. Or purchase only from the thrift store if necessary.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall: Fast from using the mirror. Tape a sheet of paper onto the mirror. Write some scripture up there and read it instead while you brush your teeth. If you have to ask someone “Is there anything on my face?” I give you a spiritual high five.
Haircut/colour: Fast from getting a haircut. Easter will feel extra magical!
Nail salon: Fast from nail polish, or fun colours, or even just from taking photos of your nails for the internet.
Accessories: Fast from your accessories. Or pick one scarf and simple jewelry and wear them exclusively. You could totally go next level with this and make a simple Lenten capsule wardrobe!

Fasting from Media and Internet Conveniences

Streaming video apps: Fast from Netflix, or your streaming app of choice. Maybe only do spiritual reading as a replacement.
Amazon: Fast from Amazon Prime shipping.
Quiet drives: Lean into silence by fasting from music, audiobooks, and podcasts in the car.
Subscriptions: Fast from Spotify or other subscriptions. Cancelling subscriptions for Lent is a great way to find more room in the budget for almsgiving.
Phone addiction: If you can, fast from your phone, or have certain times where it goes away.
Video games: Fast from gaming (this is a great one to do as a family and add in a rosary!)
Apps that replace real life: Replace a couple of apps you use with the old-fashioned way. Put a record on, go to the actual bank, play cards in real life instead of online, or do a crossword in a book.
Phone next to bed: Fast from plugging your phone in next to your bed (we pretty much all do it).
Emoji use: This one is a bit silly: fast from emojis. You heard me.
Insatiable curiosity: Fast from Googling things the instant you want to know them. Keep an encyclopedia nearby at dinner for kid’s constant questions.

Fasting from Appliances, Remotes, and other Modern Conveniences

Remote car start: Fast from using your remote car starter. Or heated steering wheel. Can you tell its winter here?
Dishwasher: Fast from the dishwasher. Pray the rosary while hand-washing the dishes!
Single-Use Plastics: Fast from single-use plastics. If you can, make lifestyle changes that can last beyond just Lent!
Convenience Food Items: Abstain from pre-made convenience foods and make those things from scratch. I know I sai non-food related but this one is intended to be more about the prep time involved.
Central Heating: Turn your heat down half a degree. Don’t do this on the same day as you decided to give up your slippers.
Clothes Dryer: Fast from the dryer and hang your clothes to dry on a drying rack. Conveniently wash all your delicates on this day if that seems hard.
Wash Routine: Don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets. Just permanently stop doing this because it is super bad for your toxic load.
Instant Food: Fast from your microwave. Tie a rosary on the handle to remind you.
Paper Towel: Fast from paper towel by getting a pack of bar mop rags instead. Save money and reduce waste!
Disposable diapers: Fast from disposable diapers for a day (we all have a cloth diaper addict friend who is happy to lend a day’s supply).
Plastic Wrap: Fast from buying plastic wrap. Beeswax wraps are a great alternative, and you can check out my tutorial for a DIY version that works great.
Lighting (again): Turn off all electric light for an evening.

Fasting from Simple Pleasures

Novels: Fast from your current novel and read something edifying that is harder to reach for.
Coffee creamer: Abstain from cream or sugar in your coffee (maple syrup and cream for me!). Oops, this is a food-related one! But can we really discuss simple pleasures without mentioning coffee?
Music: Fast from singing or listening to music to reflect in silence instead.
Favourite chair: Fast from your favourite cozy spot.
Personal Time: Give up your personal time to spend extra quality time with someone who needs it.
Buying Books: Don’t buy any new books.

Miscellaneous Sacrifices for Lent

If your kids are old enough, consider doing a “silent retreat” day, or even just an afternoon.
Sacrifice time and energy to declutter or do extra cleaning
Take the extra time and effort to send someone a letter.
Sacrifice your lunch break to attend daily Mass.
Walk somewhere you would normally drive.
Shovel or mow for a neighbour.
Pick up litter.
Do someone else’s chore for them and don’t take credit.
Fast from interrupting.

That’s all for now! I hope you enjoyed my list of non-food fasting ideas for Lent. I would like to follow this up with a list of things to try for family prayer this Lent. If I have time! It is a busy Lent for us.

May your Lent be sacrificial and fruitful! Praying for you all.

Let me know in comments if you’d like to see a printable version of this one to hang on the fridge for east ideas.

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