15 Ways to Fast for Lent

Fast from People

The Catholic teacher Richard Rohr often takes to a hermitage during Lent, devoting 6 weeks to nothing but silence, prayer, reflection, and study. That's not possible for many of us, but there are other ways to separate yourself for a season. Say "no" to social events. Stay off email and social media. Take a break from your Bible study or book club. Basically, keep your days to yourself and God except for Sundays at church (unless you're fasting from that, too). You might feel rude at first, but you shouldn't. You're following a long Christian tradition--beginning with Jesus--of observing seasons of solitude.

Fast from people, and you'll learn how to love them more.