As I wrote the first section of the blog, I had been giving up meal deals, takeaways and social smoking/vaping for around two weeks.
Despite a small bump in the road at King’s Cross station, it was going surprisingly well.
Having now made it through the other side after 40 days of fighting temptations, I am immensely proud of myself!
Firstly, when it comes to meal deals, I can gladly confirm that I did not make a trip to Coop for my lunch - which greatly helped my bank account.
Instead, I decided to maximise the efficiency of my time and batch cook all of my meals.
At a time, I would cook between three and four portions of the same meal so I would certainly have lunch and dinner in containers to pop in my bag ahead of a busy day at university.
My newfound love for batch cooking is an example of how Lent can help to form positive habits.
It also meant that I was able to go to bed and sleep for that little bit longer, as I was not trying to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner before leaving the house.
Regarding the other half of my food-related sacrifices, I can happily reflect on the fact that I did not have any takeaways.
Batch cooking was also a great help in this, as I always had some form of meal in the fridge of freezer ready to eat.
One thing that makes doing Lent worth it is the self-satisfaction from having accomplished personal goals you have set and seeing that you can truly adapt your lifestyle.
Moreover, one special thing with food-related withdrawals for Lent is the tremendous feeling of having your cravings satisfied.
For me on Good Friday, I celebrated my successful Lent with fish, chips and mushy peas with my auntie and uncle. It undoubtedly was even more delicious because of the taste of accomplishment.
When considering the other part of my Lent pledges to give up social smoking and social vaping. I am also delighted to announce that these were substantially successfully.
With me not vaping for the entire course of 40 days, proving to myself that it is a bad habit which I can completely eradicate.
On the other hand, we are all human and making mistakes is normal. That being said I did have a drag of a cigarette on St. Patrick’s Day.
Considering my own foolishness, I was so engrossed in a conversation with a girl I was making friends with outside a bar, and she was smoking.
Then as she offered me a draw, I accepted before instantly realising as smoke was coming out of my mouth that I had broken my Lent pledge.
Upon reflection, I am utterly chuffed to say that I only had two instances where I broke my Lent.
Having taken on four key pledges, I knew that it would be difficult to try and complete. But what I have learned is that I am far more strong-willed than what I give myself credit for.
Personally, I have learned to be less self-deprecating. This experience with Lent has fully normalised to me that it is okay to make mistakes - further acting as a stark reminder to always have faith.
Lent is something that I wholeheartedly intend to do again next year, and I cannot wait to see what I decide to give up next year.