Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Have you thought about what you’re doing for Lent?
Here’s a list of challenges for the Lenten season that might help you deeply ponder this season's purpose.
26 things to give up for Lent in 2026
1) Wearing headphones in public.
Maybe it’s your commute to work, your morning run, or just sitting alone in a coffee shop — try to be more present with the world around you. It gives you a chance to be more charitable with your time and more aware of people who could be in need of your help.
2) Online shopping.
This is a simple one, but it really consumes so many of us. The convenience of being able to purchase anything at our fingertips has made us comfortable. Instead, if you need something, make the effort to leave your home to get it.
3) Driving short distances.
Try walking instead when you can!
4) Defending yourself immediately in disagreements.
Listen before speaking and be more conscious of your words. Sometimes we may be quick to be right in our arguments; instead of battling the issue at hand, we battle other people.
5) Talking about people who aren’t present.
Try to be more intentional with how we talk about others when they are not there to defend themselves and their character. Be more thoughtful about how you would want others to speak of you if you were not in the same room.
6. Correcting people unnecessarily or saying “I told you so.”
Try asking yourself before you correct someone, “Is this helpful, or do I just want to be right?”
7) Thinking about future success (instead of acting).
Lent is not only a time to be intentional about self-denial; it can also be about self-growth. Take this time to start the things you have been procrastinating but know will help you achieve your goals. Submit that application, sign up to volunteer, call those people you don’t want to call.
8) Buying pre-cut/pre-prepped foods.
Those Trader Joe’s frozen dinners, Uber Eats, pre-cut fruit, drive-thru, pick-up orders — these are all things we can do away with this Lent.
9) Being careless of service workers: waiters, baristas, hospitality workers, nurses.
We have gotten very comfortable expecting things from other people. We must remind ourselves that everyone is human — we all have feelings. Be kind.
10) Brand-name everything.
Be comfortable not having the newest, trendiest things. In the world of fast fashion and TikTok trends, each season, there is something new social media tells us to buy and that we “can’t live without.” I PROMISE you don’t need that third pair of Uggs or those Sambas that it looks like everyone has. It’s a good little reminder to detach ourselves from the world and seek Jesus more closely.
11) Assuming motives / automatically assuming you’re the victim.
Some of us like to assume that when someone does something we don’t like, it’s intentional or purposefully directed toward us, when it may have had nothing to do with us. There is a chance that the person didn’t mean to hurt you. This Lent may give us a chance to clear our minds from thinking inward and direct our attention to Christ.
12) Apologizing for things that aren’t your fault.
This might be easy for some, but so difficult for others. Practicing confidence — not pridefulness — is difficult and can take a while to balance. It is important to stand up for yourself in moments where you might otherwise let it go.
13) Avoiding eye contact.
Try to be intentional with your conversations this Lent, and a great way to do this is through eye contact.
14) Rehashing old problems.
Some of us like to bring up past problems or things that have already been discussed and laid to rest. This Lent, let us forgive and move on from past hurts.
15) Switching tasks when bored — complete things.
It is easy when we’re bored to find something else to do to take up our time, leaving a trail of unfinished projects behind us. You not only owe it to yourself to complete what you started, but you can also develop a stronger mindset if you remind yourself that you are capable and made for more.
16) Offering to help even when you don’t want to.
If someone is having a hard time crossing the street, it is easy to tell yourself it is not your problem and walk right past someone asking for help, crying, or looking confused. Make it your problem. Bear that cross with someone for just a second and help out if you can.
17) Checking your phone mid-conversation.
Be present with others and give your full attention.
18) Keeping clutter “just in case.”
Let’s be intentional about what we keep and accumulate around us. Let’s learn not to hold on to material items that can be distractions for us, especially during Lent.
19) Escaping solitude.
It’s in moments of silence and quiet that we can experience God more deeply. Let’s try not to run away from these times.
20) Turning conversations back to yourself and asking more questions about other people.
Be more selfless in conversations. Allowing other people a chance to speak can not only help you be a better friend but also help you think less about yourself.
21) Saying “I’m fine” when you’re not or making other passive-aggressive comments.
Say what you mean. Communicate kindly if you don’t agree or are in a bad mood. Try not to shut down on other people. Loving someone enough to give more of yourself when you’d rather not is an act of charity.
22) Sitting immediately when you get home.
Be proactive about what you can do for others before you take time for yourself after class or work.
23) Taking the easiest option.
Instead, think about what would be the most beneficial and fruitful option. The path of least resistance doesn’t push us to become better people.
24) Replacing instead of repairing.
Find joy in fixing things and repairing instead of immediately satisfying yourself by getting something new. Let your first instinct not be to throw something away when it doesn’t work or is broken, and replace it with something else.
25) Interrupting natural rhythms.
Give up staying up too late or skipping meals — not to be confused with small acts of self-denial, but it is important to honor the body God gave you.
26) Comparing spiritual progress.
Stay focused on your journey with Christ this Lent. Let others inspire you, but do not compare your relationship with Christ to theirs. Be most interested in your own friendship with Him.