I grew Presbyterian, and I knew about Lent from church, even though we didn't have to give anything up.

Jesse, I feel like a lot more non Catholic people talk about what they are doing for Lent now then they did when I was growing up. But I also grew up in a predominantly Catholic culture.

There were more than enough Catholics (and a parish school) in my home town that it was a Known Thing (and also grew up Presbyterian). But it wasn't until I was in a majority-Catholic state that it hit a critical mass.

nice pun.

I like the idea of developing a good habit or practice during Lent, rather than the focus on giving something up. By adding in a habit, you are often giving something else up anyway, but it is a different mind-set. That was often a lesson from the church in NY. I remember one minister focused on giving compliments each day, specific and mindful compliments. As a result he realized he had given up the mindless "how are you?", "fine" exchange. Another year one of them added a morning walk and as a result found out that they ended up giving up their morning sweets, because their ore active body wanted water and fruit instead of sugary coffee and pastry.

From a life-improvement standpoint I totally get that. But isn't the point supposed to be about a demonstration of sacrifice? As it's become more of a cultural thing than strictly religious it makes sense, but I don't think it's true to the theological origins.

oh no, it is not true to the origins.

My Unitarian Universalist minister suggested that people try giving up or taking on something special for Lent a few years ago. Given that he was addressing a group of disenchanted Christians, Jews, Atheists, Agnostics, and Pagans, I'm pretty sure it wasn't that true to Lent's theological origins. (I'm giving up buying Goddess figurines for Lent! [No, I'm not, actually.])

If I had some accountability, like say here, I think I'd attempt to get 1 thing out of my house each day of Lent.

Is anyone up for helping me stay on task?

I never heard of Lent until I went to college and met a Catholic person. I had no idea it had become a thing for non-Catholics now too.

I remember in high school some non-Catholic friends of mine were giving up stuff for lent, which confused me.