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Lent
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. I'm going to observe Lent by giving up all alcohol. It's a personal choice, and I don't need any outside support. The difficulty comes with how much (or how little) I should share with business associates. If I'm out and others are drinking, do I say why I'm not drinking, or just make up some excuse (e.g., cutting calories). The excuse isn't a lie, it's just not the primary reason. I know that religion isn't something you are "supposed to" share at work.
Ideas?
Carolyn FieldsInstructional Designer and Author
428
03/04/20 at 6:47PM UTC
Interestingly, nobody even noticed what I was or wasn't drinking. It was pretty much all in my head. At least so far . . . . Lent isn't over yet. Lots of great advice here. Thank you all!
Anonymous
03/04/20 at 2:32PM UTC
How did it go? What did you decide to do? You should never feel the pressure to do something or not do something for fear of retaliation.
Victoria CianciProject structure is key and I have the keys
410
03/03/20 at 6:07PM UTC
This may be late in the game I am giving the same answer, you don't drink it is your choice no one else.
Kathy Yaros Get from where you are to where you want to be
27
03/03/20 at 4:46PM UTC
You don’t owe anyone any type of explanation.
Share what you choose to share, but beyond that, it’s no one’s business.
Period.
I give up meat for lent, and usually don’t make a “thing” about it. I just order or eat what I do, and when asked, I just tell them that it is what I want today.
When I choose to share with someone about my motivation, it allows me to reveal a facet of myself to that person, thereby deepening our relationship, through our conversation.
obe
464
02/28/20 at 11:46PM UTC
Isn’t voicing any type of excuse becomes a tiny white lie which defeats what Lent is about? Be true to yourself.
Kimberly McIT Engineering Manager, DoD
613
02/28/20 at 1PM UTC
Just say no thank you. If someone asks, just say Lent. nothing more is needed.
Marie NCertified Dementia Care Provider/Life Coach.
112
02/27/20 at 11:29PM UTC
You don't have to say anything at all. It's no one's business one way or the other.
Peg Bittnerretired auditor now into volunteering
621
02/27/20 at 9:28PM UTC
I admire your willingness to "give up" for Lent. Were you aware that "give ups" were done away with and an a more positive spin was put on the challenges of people trying to repent during Lent?
The occurred about 20 years ago, that instead of "giving up" a person needs to do something more positive that they normally would not ever do before. For example, donate time at a soup kitchen, a half way house, Alcoholics Anonymous, tutoring children or any other charitable involvement that you never did before. Another possibility is select one of your "one of these days, I am going to...." projects, that you were afraid of doing, like learn a new language. Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone and challenges you for the better. As a result you grow as person, suffer as person trying to improve themselves and as a reward you will be a better person for your efforts. Giving up alcohol just give you withdrawal symptoms, possible uneasy conversations, and chances for ridicule from people that you would normally not hear it from. Give Ups are not longer the in thing to do during Lent. Good Luck and my God Bless as you observe Lent this year.
JKH
62
02/27/20 at 5:01PM UTC
Don't need to explain, just like you wouldn't if you stopped drinking because you were a recovering alcoholic. Order what you want to order. If asked, say "I'm not drinking this month." Or "No alcohol for me today," or "Taking an alcohol break." If asked why, deflect or say, "Everything in moderation" or "good to take a break once and a while," etc. Don't overshare unless you're with good friends.
Katie MaloneSocial Media Manager + Mother to two daughter
1.28k
02/27/20 at 4:25PM UTC
I would just say, I'm not drinking tonight. And leave it at that if you don't feel comfortable.
I'm pretty open about my personal life at work (whether I should or shouldn't be). I walked into my office yesterday with my ashes on my forehead. I did feel funny at first, but I have a daughter in Catholic School and I couldn't help but hear her little voice asking why I washed my ashes off. ;-)
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