Mastering Digital Discipline: Tips for Lent
A Tech Guide for a More Meaningful Lent
Join us on a modern Lenten journey where we share practical tips to strike a balance with technology and master digital discipline.
There’s no denying that smartphones can be isolating and distracting. It's a fact of life and unavoidable at this point. Staring at that screen causes the world to disappear. Meaningful human interaction is often replaced with a stream of likes and shares that makes us turn inwards and play the comparison game constantly.
It’s no surprise, then, that some people choose to give up social media or limit their smartphone use for Lent. After all, Lent is a season for reflection, purifying our hearts and minds, drawing nearer to Christ and sharing in His life, death, and resurrection. Eliminating such a distraction as a smartphone can help you more easily find this right mindset and remain there. In addition, given our society’s growing attachment to staying connected, decreasing your digital use could be a very meaningful and positive sacrifice.
On the other hand, it is obvious that there are great benefits from our modern technology. Phones can be a tool to bring people together and focus attention. They can encourage fellowship with friends and family. Most importantly, it can also be a resource for convenient mindful reflection instead of merely an escape into mindless activity. This is where our 4 tips and tricks come in.
If you choose to sacrifice phone use this Lent or to intentionally use your smartphone to grow closer to God, you will undeniably be on your way towards mastering digital discipline in your life...even past the Lenten season!
1. Set Digital Screen Time Boundaries
Begin your Lenten journey by setting clear boundaries for screen time. This is an obvious first step when trying to detach from your screen during Lent. There are simple ways to set app limits on both IOS and Android.
Set up screen time limits on IOS or Set up screen time limits on Android.
As much as most of us think that we can do this and maintain this discipline on our own, that is likely not the case. What is stopping you from going in and removing the screen time?
Luckily for us, there is another setting that can help solve this problem and hold us even more accountable to our commitments. In IOS, there is a Screen Time Password setting. When this password is set, it is required to renew screen time limits for the day or to make any changes. The next step here is very straightforward as well: ask a friend or family member to make the password for you! Then, the next time that you are tempted to go over your time limit, you will have to go through your accountability partner first.
To set this up on IOS, simply open your Settings app, go to Screen Time > Set Screen Time Passcode. After setting the passcode, go to Screen Time > App Limits > select the app you want to limit, set the time limit, and turn on the "Block at End of Limit."
2. Go Old School - Monochrome Phone Setting
Another effective (and popular) method of decreasing your screen time this Lent is to turn your phone's screen to black and white.
This simple adjustment makes a huge difference to your brain. It minimizes the visual appeal of apps and icons, greatly reducing the temptation for mindless scrolling. Embracing the monochrome mode encourages purposeful, intentional phone use only. This fosters the reflective spirit of Lent that we are hoping to achieve.
To set this up on IOS, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters > flip it on, and select Grayscale.
On Android, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Display > Text and Display > Color Correction > select Grayscale.
3. Avoid Phone Use Before Bed & When You Wake Up:
Be very careful about how you use your phone in the hours leading up to bedtime. Establish a routine now that minimizes phone use, allowing your mind to unwind and preparing you for a restful night. This intentional approach not only leads to better, more sound sleep, but also carves out space for spiritual reflection on the day as you wind down. A great habit to replace phone use before bed with is praying the Examen. The Examen is a structured prayerful reflection on the events of the day - adapted from St. Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises.
Another good idea is to avoid sleeping next to your phone. Get a dedicated alarm clock so you don’t go to your phone the moment you wake up. Use those first few minutes to thank the Lord for the new day and all His blessings. Giving the Lord the first moments of your day is a simple, yet powerful practice to add in to your Lenten regimen this year.
4. Explore Apps for a Mindful Lent
While minimizing digital distractions with the above tips, you can definitely still leverage technology to enhance your Lenten journey. Here we have put together a list of apps that offer guided meditations, daily reflections, scripture readings, and more. Of course, there are many more great Catholic apps out there, but these are a great place to start. These digital tools can complement your spiritual practice, providing valuable support without compromising the essence of a mindful Lent.
iBreviary: The perfect app for your daily readings and devotions. iBreviary also includes the Liturgy of the Hours, the Missal, and rites. It also features a wide variety of prayers for different occasions and needs — perfect for adding variety to your prayer life and keeping you in the spirit of the season.
Hallow: This app is designed to support Christian meditation and prayer in a very personalized way. The app offers a variety of content, including guided meditations, scripture readings, and reflections. Hallow is also the home to Fr. Mike Schmitz's content, including his daily 3-5 minute homilies and his Bible in a Year series.
Laudate: There’s a reason this app is known as the “#1 Free Catholic App.” It’s a portal to a vast amount of resources Catholics can use every day. Lent is a perfect opportunity to begin exploring the readings, prayers, interactive rosary, and other resources available.
FORMED: This is not only an app but also a website. FORMED provides access to a wide range of Catholic media, including movies, documentaries, audiobooks, ebooks, and educational programs. Why not try to incorporate more Christ-centered media into your life this Lent? Although it is a subscription based service, many parishes have inclusive access to the library, so check with your parish before buying!
Catena: Have you ever read a verse and weren't sure what it meant? Catena is a Bible app annotated with 10,000's of commentaries at your fingertips, to help you understand any verse! Use Catena as your daily Bible reader, and get the most out of your time reading the Bible!
Can You Hear Him Now?
This Lenten season, don’t let your smartphone be a distraction from drawing nearer to Christ. Use these tips and strategies to spend more time each day in prayer and spiritual contemplation. Track your spiritual progress and to stay in the mindset of commemorating Christ’s sacrifice and celebrating His Resurrection.
If you have other strategies to stay focused and off your devices, let us know in the replies!
We wish you a reflective and happy Lenten season.
