What I Am Giving Up for Lent :: My Break From Social Media

Lent

Being born and raised Catholic, like most of New Orleans, I observe the season of Lent. Lent is a time to repent from your sins to prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, to make up for the large amount of gluttony that took place from eating too much King Cake or drinking our little hearts out during Mardi Gras. When I was little, when I didn’t really have to give up anything, I would try my best and I would usually pick a certain food. One year it was sweets, one year it was soft drinks, then I made it not so hard on me and picked a certain sweet instead of all sweets, it was something I would tell myself.

As I got older, giving up things that I loved just didn’t seem to really teach me anything. So, I decided to choose an act of kindness instead. Offer someone help one day, hold the door for someone the next, just something to show kindness to people I didn’t know. This was something that made me feel good and made me feel like I was putting positivity back into the world instead of just sacrificing something I like.

This year, I decided to take a break from social media. I have never given up social media before, let alone giving it up for 40 days and 40 nights! I wake up in the morning and grab my phone and check Facebook, then Instagram, then I head over to TikTok. After time passes by, I realize I am late getting the morning going because I am so lost in the moment. What did people do before social media? When I wake up, will I grab my phone out of habit? I should probably delete all the apps off my phone. THIS is going to be a sacrifice … or is it?

I love being able to keep up with family that I don’t get to see often or my high school classmates that I do not get to talk to. It is exciting to see all the wonderful things that are happening in everyone’s lives, but sometimes it can be quite overwhelming and take a toll on my mental health. What I hope to gain from giving up social media for 40 days is just how valuable my time is and learn to appreciate more without my nose stuck in other peoples lives.

What are you all giving up for Lent? Do you prefer giving up certain things or doing acts of kindness? See y’all at Easter!

Jeanne DeLasalle
Jeanne is a single mom to a wonderful son who loves nothing more than her family, friends, and her Saints. Born and raised in New Orleans, she enjoys everything this city has to offer. In her spare time you can catch her napping or binge watching movies on her couch. On Sunday's in the fall, she is in the Superdome and goes into a state of depression when football season is over.

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