The Lent Challenge – How to Celebrate it Properly 

Lately, during Lent time, we’ve seen many articles popping on our screens about diets, as if they wanted us to feel this is the best time of the year to lose a few kilos. As usual, Christians haven’t complained about cultural appropriation. But calling the Lent fast a diet is the same as calling the Jewish Shabbat, which starts on Friday, a long weekend.

Here at the office, many of us try to fast with a sense of “resetting” our lives. That is to say, cutting down for 40 days on superficial things we find difficult to give up. So, the first things that need to be reduced during Lent are Netflix and Instagram. Because, as you can imagine, it is much more challenging not to watch that great series you’ve heard about than not eating a steak or drinking wine, right?

Whether you are religious or not, take Lent as a moment of peace and quiet to think about your life; and how to make it better for you and for society too.

And declutter is the best idea we found on the Internet on how to live your Lent. Getting rid of the things that are piled up in your wardrobe or your home will make you a better person. It is an act of detachment from material things, at the same time that it makes you think of your neighbour, of someone most in need.

Think about it. And we don’t care if you’ll be a little thinner or rounder.

1 – Clothes You Don’t Wear Anymore

Go through your wardrobe and drawers. Take all the garments you haven’t worn for the past year. Do they still fit? Are they flattering? How do you feel in that mini or the tight leggings, is it still you? Lent is the perfect time to declutter your wardrobe. Be brave and donate all those items bought in the spur of the moment. We’re sure they have been lying on the bottom of that pile of clothes you did not even remember having.

2 – Shoes

As the years go by, it is normal that our feet change, especially after motherhood. There’s no point in holding on to those fabulous stilettos if you can’t walk in them anymore. Be thorough and put into your donation bag any shoes that haven’t come out of your closet for a long time.

3 – Home Appliances, Etc

Go through your kitchen and basement. Surely you will find several items you don’t need anymore, but that can be useful for somebody else. Local charities accept all kinds of donations; dishes, towels, baby items like car seats and strollers, pots and pans, books and toys, you name it.

Here are some places in Vienna, besides local parishes, that will be more than happy to receive your donation.

• Kölping Österreich

This association supports young people and gives them accommodation and professional care. Your donations will go either to them or to their own textiles recycling. There are many Kolping containers for donations, find one near you here.

• Tageszentrum am Hauptbahnhof

The day centre at Vienna Central Station offers homeless people a place to rest, take a shower and get a meal. They have social workers who give them support and advice in several languages, free medical care and a postal address. You can donate food, clothes, sleeping bags, personal hygiene items and so on.

• Carla

There are several Carla second-hand shops in Vienna. Your donation will go not only to the shops but also to Caritas institutions like orphanages and homeless shelters. For a small fee, they will pick up your unwanted furniture. Among other things, Carla supports unemployed people, training and hiring them.

Title photo @Notorious