Letting go of habits that create burdens feels amazing. For only 40 days, deciding to stop eating junk food, stop scrolling mindlessly on social media, or just stop being so negative can make a big difference. While Lent is about ending these bad habits, it’s more complicated than that. It’s about overcoming these bad habits and finding relief and clarity waiting.
Lent, a 40 day holiday practiced by many, is most commonly known for the tradition of giving up things like unhealthy foods, drinks, and habits.
While this is mostly a Catholic practice, with 59% of them participating according to a 2025 study from Lifeway Research, anyone can take part in this journey. However, the numbers for Lent participation have been steady over the past decade, with around 1 in 4 Americans participating.
(Thays Orrico )
While some teenagers may not be as interested in Lent as before, more resources, including online interactive calendars are available. At Highlands, many students are participating in Lent this year, each giving up something personal to them.
“I chose to give up soda because I would normally have 1-2 a day, which isn’t super healthy,” Livvy Holder (11) said.
Even though breaking this bad habit will definitely be rewarding, there are hard parts throughout the journey.
“The hardest part of this for me is trying to find healthy alternatives for when I’m craving soda,” Holder said.
Overall, participating in Lent can show resilience and perseverance among students.
“After this is all over, I’ll think I will feel very proud of myself for doing something that challenged me,” Holder said.
