Every year when the liturgical season of lent rolls around, I try not to just give something up that I love like chocolate, but instead develop a practice that is good for me, something that will actually encourage my relationship with God. Maybe it will mean I give something up, but I like to think of it as picking up a new practice.

One year I make a point to give away one garbage bag of clothing a week. It helped me to cut back on the amount of stuff I had and made me a little more conscious about where the things I was giving away were going and who they could help. Another year I said hello to every person I encountered in some sort of service work. Like when a waiter or waitress came by to take my order, I always asked them how their day had been. And whatever they told me, I would listen. Now, whenever I encounter a waiter or someone checking me out, I still do that. 2 years ago, I gave up online shopping. Apple had started doing the thing where they told you each week what your screen time was, and I wanted to see if I could get that down. I realized I was spending way more time online, clicking links on Buzzfeed that I was praying or being attentive to my own spiritual well-being. And it worked.

This last year has been insane. *haven’t they all though?* But this last year has really been crazy. Lots of big life changes, and now, I’m in the middle of one, professionally. And I find myself starting at Etsy just a little too much or hanging out on Bloomscape far too many mornings before hopping into the shower. So, I’m doing it again in the hopes that I can bring a little calm into my life and also a little more room for God as well. I hope that in this season of Lent that has come a little too early for my liking, that we can all find a way to pick up a new habit, one that brings us closer to our maker and further from the things that would pull our sight from God.