Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter, is a time of prayer, fasting, reflection and sacrifice. It commemorates the biblical account of Jesus Christ fasting in the wilderness for 40 days before beginning his ministry.
This year, Lent began Feb. 18 on Ash Wednesday. While the tradition has evolved over time, its core has been unchanged for centuries. Today, many Christians observe the season by giving up certain luxuries or habits, attending additional worship services and participating in acts of service or charity.
Whatever people do, they all strive to have the same intention, to draw themselves closer to God.
In 2026, Lent has gained traction online. Many Christians are using social media to share the history of the season and their personal fasts. Celebrities like Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie have shared their intentions for the season, encouraging others to participate.
Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, reminded Christians to use this time to recenter their lives on Jesus Christ. As thousands of Christians begin their fasts, many are choosing to forfeit specific habits to focus on their faith.
For many today, Lent is an opportunity to take a break from social media, create more discipline and switch up daily routines.
One makeup influencer on TikTok is giving up makeup for the next 40 days, while another TikTok influencer is giving up TikTok entirely, though she shared her sister would still post videos on her behalf.
Many online have shared their lifestyle during Lent, encouraging others to dedicate more of their time to God. Many pointed out it doesn’t have to be anything big, like several users who shared they were giving up cursing.
Some are fasting from sleeping in, creating a new schedule to wake up at 5 a.m. every day. Others in the comment sections of others videos shared they were avoiding meat and dairy.
On a Facebook discussion group, one user asked others what they were giving up, and some shared they were giving up sweets and sodas, and were praying the rosary daily.
At the University of Notre Dame, students shared they were giving up treats, social media and even seal videos. Rather than just removing habits, many students and other online users are adding spiritual practices, such as reading the Bible daily, offering daily compliments to friends or praying for a different person each day.
While fasts vary by individual, participants often share a common understanding: The practice is intended to be a sacrifice that brings them closer to God.