I just read that "giving it up" book- the woman gave up one thing every month to help herself balance her life, simplify, etc. That started me wondering: should I try this? What 12 things would I give up for a month each to make myself a better person?

Here is my tentative list:

1. Shopping- of course, for anything nonessential- no toys, books, etc
2. Chocolate
3. Endless internet... I would limit myself to only 15 minutes per day
4. Complaining
5. Criticizing
6. Garage Saling- somehow this falls under a different category to me than regular shopping

And since I don't take taxis, drink coffee, watch TV or dine out, I decided I would "do" something rather than give up 6 other things:

1. Call one friend or relative each week to reconnect
2. Take a walk every day (barring extreme weather)
3. Have a "Spoil DH" month- I mean, let's face it, he's frequently last in line behind kids, laundry, cleaning, etc
4. Read the Bible- I always want to have a "quiet time" for me each day, but never do somehow
5. Compliment one person every day
6. Eat five fruits/veggies a day- every day, for a month. My body would be in shock!

I have to seriously think about doing this... it would be hard, maybe fun, interesting at least- hopefully enlightening.

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ok jenn I'm having a very hard time thinking of 12 things to give up. I mean I don't do much for myself now as it is! The only thing I could give up would be internet and shopping and those keep me sane! I don't smoke, drink coffee or alcohol, watch much tv, eat junk food, etc I think I need more bad habits so I can quit some! LOL just kidding
Now if this were my dh's list I could easily put 12 things for him to give up

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giving up chocolate??? ...NEVER! (lol)

Starbucks would have to be first on my list...internet...television (I'm pretty serious about this one)...criticizing (hard to give up something I'm so good at )...

I can only think of one thing. JUNK FOOD, id be better of without it. I cant give up coffee becuse its all I have. LEts face it as mom's we already give up a lot

Great post! (But please don't give up your internet, we'd miss you too much!)

I would like to try giving up:
1. Shopping
2. TV (I don't think I could totally give it up, but I like the idea of limiting the time I watch)
3. Soda (I actually gave it up in August, but have slipped into old habits)
4. Fast food/convenience food
5. Criticizing

I love the ideas of stuff you'd add. My list is similar:
1. Read more
2. Cook more from scratch
3. Reconnect with friends/family - maybe call or send a letter instead of e-mail, which can be too impersonal sometimes
4. Spend more "quality" time with kids
5. Go on more dates with dh
6. Exercise

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Really makes you stop and think. My son's youth group at church had a "fast" for 6 weeks-when school started to the week before the first football game- this "fast" was NOT a food fast, as in no food, however it could have been a fast from junk foods, soda, that kind of thing. It could also be a time of fasting from t.v., videos, computer time...etc. It was supposed to use that time that you were using for those things to make you aware of other things that God was trying to talk to you about. I have really been thinking about all the things that I could give up and not even miss. Television being one of them. I do watch less that I used to watch, but I could watch less or not at all. I could limit my computer time, some of the things I eat, and just wasted time. It is really convicting when I really stop and think about all of these things. I am really going to look at the things in my life that are not important and try and eliminate them and add something more important in their place, like decluttering a room or area, or organizing something. Great stuff to ponder on. Angela

hmm, let see:

Give up:
1) Shopping
2) Soft Drinks/Alcohol
3) Eating Out
4) Chocolate/Candies
5) Limit TV time (I watch maybe an hour a day during the week)

Take up
1) Reading before bed instead on watching TV
2) Running every morning/exercise
hmm, can't think of anymore..will have to come back to this one.

I've been trying to replace tv time with more *worthwhile* things, but it's been so hard with the new tv season starting...so far I've replaced tv time with exercise and reading.

Hmm What would I give up...
1. Hours of internet (impose a limit)
2. Telephone talking (again impose a limit
3. Excess Sleeping (man I am starting to sound lazy)
4. Fastfood
5. Driving ( I could walk)
6. Nagging

Take up
1. Running (consistantly)
2. Praising
3. getting up early
4. meditating
5. Praying more
6. reading my bible

Give up:
Shopping!! (For things I dont NEED)
eating junk food
watching too much tv
trying to be a superwoman (constantly cleaning and picking up at home)

Take up:
Getting more exercise
taking more breaks at work
ride my bike more often


Ok thats all I can think of right now...

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Alex & the spider monkey