In my mind growing up, the idea of fasting was always tied to food. My Catholic friends would fast during Lent—the 40 days leading up to Easter—by not eating meat on Fridays. While my family never observed Lent in the traditional sense, I was still encouraged to consider fasting from food as a spiritual discipline by abstaining from eating for 24 hours as a means to focus more attentively on God.
In many ways, my views on fasting have not changed. I still see spiritual value in removing food for a period of 24 hours. The practice does indeed heighten awareness of spiritual matters.
And nothing I write beyond this point is meant to take away from that practice or the spiritual benefits of it. I only mean to add to it.
You see, as I have matured in my life (and my spirituality), I have begun to recognize additional value in the discipline of fasting. Moving beyond abstaining from food, I have also learned to appreciate the benefits of fasting from almost anything in moderation.
Fasting, it seems to me, is ultimately about self-control. It is about the intentional removal of one, external controlling factor in our lives for a period of time. It is an exercise in self-control. And self-control holds benefit for all—regardless of our faith or nonfaith preferences.
In college, for the first time, I set out to give up one “controlling factor” in my life for a period of 40 days—a form of fasting that drew inspiration from my Catholic friends (although I’ll be quick to admit that most world religions embrace some form of fasting).
My thinking went like this, “If there is any external reality in my life that I could not give up for 40 days, it has become a controlling influence on me. By definition, I have lost an element of self-control.”
Over the years, as a result of this exercise, I have fasted from television for 40 days, eating out for 40 days, my cell phone for 40 days, and candy for 40 days. Each time, I chose one thing that would be difficult to part with for a period of days, and then challenged myself to go without it as an exercise in self-control.
Each time, it seemed, I learned more about myself and gained additional insight into finding balance in my life.
I am not alone in my practice of this discipline. The Minimalists recently gave up social media for 30 days. Courtney Carver has written about giving up sugar for 30 days. And almost everyone who attempts an extended shopping ban will tell you it was worth it.
There is value in this practice—however you choose to embrace it.
Currently, my fasting practice looks a bit different than the extended period of abstaining 30 or 40 days from a specific item. Over the past year, I have returned to the 24-hour model of intermittent fasting, choosing to abstain from coffee on Saturdays. It’s not a long, drawn-out practice that requires pre-planning of any sort. It’s just a simple reminder to me—every weekend—that I am in control of my habits, not coffee.
Recently, I texted a friend to see if I could call her about a writing project on a Sunday evening. She said I’d have to wait until Monday, “Sunday evenings are family time. I don’t do any work on purpose.” Just another form of fasting, I thought to myself.
There is value in this discipline. Here’s a quick guide to get started:
1. Choose one external influence in your life to fast from. The best practice for testing (and strengthening) self-control is to choose an item you imagine would be difficult to part with. Finish this sentence, “I could never go 40 days without ____________.” Whatever pops into your head might be a good place to start. Maybe it’s chocolate or Facebook or alcohol or Netflix. You get to decide.
2. Choose a period of time (or regular interval) for your exercise. You may choose 7 days, 40 days, or 365. Or maybe you want to fast every Saturday, every weekend, or every first week of the month. Again, the choice is yours. But do choose a period or interval of time that will challenge you and require a measure of self-control on your end.
3. Make arrangements if necessary. If you are choosing to abstain from sugar for 30 days, it might not be wise to keep lots of sugary snacks in your pantry. If you decide to give up television for a period of time, it may be beneficial to remove the temptation entirely (assuming other members in your family do not object). When I gave up eating out for 40 days, I needed to think through and prepare adequately for brown bag lunches each day instead.
4. Embrace the discipline and expect the beginning to be the hardest. There is nothing wrong with this being difficult—especially at first. Expect it and embrace it. In fact, if the fasting is not difficult for you, you may want to consider choosing something more difficult to give up.
5. Find meaning in defeat. If you give in at some point during the experiment and succumb to the temptation, don’t lose heart. Make failure your servant by examining its root. And then get back up to try again.
6. Re-enter slowly. When you complete your exercise, reintroduce the item into your life deliberately. Remember, you have not committed to giving up something for the rest of your life—only for a predetermined period of time. But that doesn’t mean you automatically return the element to the same level of influence it had before. Almost certainly you will have learned something during the process that will enable you to reintroduce the item in a healthier manner.
Many of the external items that subconsciously control our lives are not needs, they are wants (coffee, dessert, television, Facebook, etc.). But we have become so accustomed to having them in our lives on a daily basis, we quickly confuse our wants and our needs.
Fasting from anything (and/or everything) for a set period of time helps put these items back in proper perspective and gives us the strength to walk away when necessary.
There is value in the practice of fasting. I have found this to be true. So will you.
Definitely time to walkawsy from last three weeks of carb/ sugar breakfast treats since sister’s death. I am ready.
Great article Joshua. This year I added an additional item to
my normal fasting during Lent. I got rid of 1,382 items.
I focused on donating to local thrift shops who help those less
fortunate, as well as the Salvation Army. Of the items that I
sold, part of the proceeds are being donated to charity. While
I had had a specific number of items that I wanted to let go,
I fell short, mainly due to time constraints. All of the items given up were things that I could have kept, but decided to bless others
by giving them up. Now that the Lenten season is over, I
am still challenging myself to keep going, and I plan to do
this again next year, if the good Lord allows.
I want to do more fasting. These were some good thoughts and ideas. I grew up in a church tradition where giving up for Lent was common, as was doing something extra – so giving up time and energy. Since then I have not intentionally celebrated Lent this way or taken many fasts.
I gave up social media more than a year ago, but it’s not really a fast as I don’t miss it and am happier without!
I take day-long breaks from everything online – blogs, emails, recipes, etc – a couple times month.
Although our finances are well in order, I would like to try a shopping ban just to see what I am buying that I could live without.
I am going to think and explore this to be ready for next Lent!
Fasting is such a powerful tool that can be used to test our willpower and also teach us to appreciate more in your life. I have fasted for 3 days with no food and found one of the biggest benefits was learning to appreciat the food I eat each day so much more. It really helps you to realize the impulse behaviors we act on each day.
Great process for starting a fast.
Yes yes! one of the best posts you gifted us! From me, you get ********** 5 stars :D Happy? This is only for you it is possible to achieve that.. Thanks
This year, I’ve turned your idea of fasting on its head with regard to my social media use. A typical social media fast would be to use it all week, and have one day off. I cut my social media to zero, with only one day ON. I deleted all apps from my phone, and only use my desktop computer. I don’t use anything but Facebook, and I have Facebook Friday. If it’s not Friday, I’m not on Facebook. I started this on Jan. 1 and had a major backslide in February, but on March 1, I got back on the wagon and I’m holding steady. I have so much more time to read things that are uplifting when I do get online, and I’m spending less time in general at the computer.
THIS spoke to me… I have been trying to get away from FB so I am going to move towards your idea of FB-Fridays. That way I can stay in touch with distanced friends/family but not be so involved in random posts that honestly just waste my time away. THANKS!
I have started the journey of simplifying. Thank you for your helpful writings. In response to fasting and its relationship to spirituality — I have found that abstaining from something for a period of time is a way for me to say, “This will not have control over me, rather I will have control over it” and “God, I love you more than this.” I don’t need to convince God, He knows my heart. I need to remind myself!
What a great idea ! For some reason, this one was difficult. I wishing could do it with my phone…but I am the main caretaker/proxy for my elderly parents and my only sibling who is disabled. So, instead, i am going to give up the one thing I do that generates the most desire for material : looking at fashion posts on the internet. And I will do it for the rest of March. ?
Dear Joshua: I have enjoyed learning more about minimalism over the past 6 years and my respect and admiration for your life choices and to speak, write, live counter-culturally has inspired me. I gave up a very lucrative job at a prestigious healthcare system in the USA to move to South America, “get out of the boat” and serve the poor. I’ve been here now 6 years and counting. It has, by far, been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. It certainly was very counter-cultural! I have learned to value those things that have value and embrace simplicity. I recently studied about sabbath (as a busy healthcare profession on the edge of burn-out, I saw the need for balance). Part of celebrating sabbath or a 24 hour period of time not to work and to focus on things you enjoy and spirituality was the suggestion to “fast” from “choice” food and drink during the week and enjoy a free day on Sabbath. I have found this practice to be incredible – no cream or sugar in my coffee, no breads, sweats, chips, alcohol during the week and then on my chosen day of sabbath to enjoy those things in moderation. Not only have I lost 10 lbs but I am truly savoring those things more now more than ever. Your article about fasting is one that truly resonates with me. Thanks Joshua for who you are and all you do, Kevin
This is really a great thought. Event I haven’t linked the fasting with the minimalism. I am so agree to your point. Fasting can be implemented to purchasing things as well.
That’s a good style, friend! Try yourself as a creative writer.You can definitely earn something!
In the past, I’ve given up sugar for Lent. But I’m trying something new for me now – I’ve given up shopping for the full year. No clothes, no accessories, no cosmetics, no kitchen or gardening gadgets, no furnishings or electronics. Nothing, in other words, that isn’t an essential for living. Two and a half months in and it is altering my relationship with consumerism. I chose a longer period so that my new non-acquiring habit will have plenty of time to cement in. I’m ready for a radical change.
This is great! My wife and I (mostly) didn’t eat out for a month. I am currently doing no sugar for a while and have given in a couple of times but was able to get back at it again. I definitely don’t regret taking these breaks from “controlling influences” and have found the experience empowering.
Has anyone tried giving up air conditioning for a week? Just curious. I’m glad I am old enough to remember when there was no air conditioning. Having lived without it when I was young reminds me that it is not a necessity. With regard to fasting….all it does is make me irritable and grumpy. Better to give up my addiction to on-line Canasta instead.
After reading many comments I realize that suicidal media (I meant social) takes up way too much of my time. I’m thinking of fasting games during daylight hours (my night job allows “me time” and I can play then. I rarely sleep over 4 hours at a time so non working nights I can play also.
I shared this on my FB timeline and added my story of giving more. Thank you.
JUDITH
It’s a bit embarrassing to admit that I have never truly done a “fast” of any sort. Sure there were days that I “unplugged” from social media, or tried to avoid caffeine, however, I’ve never been this intentional at giving something up. This has my wheels turning and I intend to give something up – whether it’s shopping, eating out, or social media – for the next 40 days.
Thank you thank you for this article! It was something I needed to hear. In my faith we do so 24 hour fast and a Sunday fast keeping from certain things. But this has made me evaluate and recognize that this is something I need to do a little broader not just food. Thank you, you inspired my day. Forever greatful
I do agree with everything you wrote. Fasting can be beneficial in so many ways. I grew up in a catholic country that has religion as a part of its curriculum, so every year we would have to write essays for school and explain why we fast and what we will give up for Lent.
Giving up things is always good for self- discipline. There are so many different ways in which we can fast. I often give up shopping for Lent.
Such a refreshing post. It’s nice to hear people having conversations about God :)