During Lent, we often focus on giving things up — chocolate, social media, or our favorite snacks. But what if this season of sacrifice could be about creating space for something new rather than just denying ourselves? As someone who once viewed Lent as 40 days of gloom, I’ve discovered that treating this sacred time as a spiritual decluttering project can transform my relationship with God and renew my faith in unexpected ways.
RELATED: Parting With a Possession Each Day of Lent
Think of your spiritual life as a closet. Over time, it slowly accumulates “stuff” — worries, grudges, unnecessary commitments, and habits that don’t serve our relationship with God. Just as a cluttered closet can make getting dressed stressful, a cluttered soul can make connecting with God feel overwhelming.
Here’s how to approach Lent as a spiritual decluttering journey:
1. Start with the visible clutter
Begin with what you can see — your physical space. Choose one area of your home to simplify each week of Lent. As you sort through possessions, ask yourself: “Does this help or hinder my relationship with God?” For every item you remove, say a prayer of gratitude. This isn’t about minimalism; it’s about mindfulness. That drawer full of old electronics or the pile of unread magazines might be taking up more than just physical space — they might be distracting you from what truly matters.
2. Clear the calendar clutter
Look at your schedule like an overstuffed drawer. Which commitments truly reflect your values? Which activities bring you closer to God? During Lent, try removing one non-essential commitment each week. Use that freed-up time for prayer, reflection, or serving others. You might be surprised by how much spiritual breathing room you create by simply saying “no” to things to make space for time with God.
RELATED: The Surprising Way Decluttering Enriched My Faith Life
3. Address the emotional clutter
Just as we hold on to physical items “just in case,” we often cling to emotional baggage that weighs us down. Use Lent to identify and release old hurts, resentments, or fears. Consider scheduling time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation — it’s like a spiritual reset button. Each time you let go of an old grudge or worry, imagine placing it at the foot of the cross.
4. Tackle the digital clutter
While it’s not realistic to give up technology entirely, Lent is the perfect time to reassess our digital habits. Unsubscribe from emails that tempt you to overconsume. Clear your phone of apps that waste time better spent in prayer. Create designated “digital silence” periods in your day for connecting with God.
5. Make space for grace
As you clear away the clutter, don’t rush to fill the space. Instead, treat the emptiness as holy ground. Maybe that corner where the TV used to be becomes your new prayer spot. Perhaps the time you saved by simplifying your morning routine becomes your daily Scripture reading time.
6. Practice mindful accumulation
Moving forward, be intentional about what you allow back into your life. Before adding anything, whether it’s a possession, commitment, or habit, ask yourself: “Will this bring me closer to or further from God?”
LISTEN: Giving Up Worry for Lent
Remember, the goal isn’t to create a perfectly sparse life. Rather, it’s about making room for what truly matters. When we clear away the excess, we often find God has been there all along, waiting for us to create space for a deeper relationship.
This Lent, instead of viewing sacrifice as deprivation, look at it as an opportunity for spiritual spring cleaning. Each item we remove, each commitment we release, each grudge we let go of creates more room for God’s grace to flow into our lives. The empty spaces we create become invitations for the Holy Spirit to fill us with renewed purpose and peace.
As we journey through these 40 days, let’s remember that sometimes the most profound spiritual renewal comes not from adding more spiritual practices, but from removing what stands between us and God. In the end, Lent isn’t about becoming more austere — it’s about becoming more available to God’s transforming love.
This season, as you consider what to “give up” for Lent, perhaps the better question is: What can I clear away to make more room for God? The answer might just lead to the spiritual renewal you’ve been seeking.
