Fat Tuesday Today, Toned Abs Tomorrow!

By: Lindsey Piel

Loyola Press

It’s Fat Tuesday, which means lent starts tomorrow! This year, many students at Hackett will give something up in order to practice discipline. When asked, multiple seniors all explained that they hope to do so throughout lent.

Meredith Chenier will be giving up simple luxuries. “I’m going to only drink black coffee and water. I will also take cold showers”. 

Meanwhile, Jude Coffman says, “I’m giving up going out to eat. If I’m out and hungry and I see somewhere, I usually just go there. I’m spending too much money so I would rather save it. I think it's going to teach me how to be more disciplined.” 

Bill Donaghy

In addition, Preston Cosby is looking for the same thing, “Screen time, working an hour of Doordash a day, and not eating any junk food or soda. I think it will make me more disciplined to train my brain to deny wants and laziness. By working for Doordash, I will have more money to have fun on weekends. Cutting out junk food helps with sports too. As for screen time, I’m an addict, it's actually horrible.” Preston plans to put a four hour limit on his phone and give his mom the screen time password so it locks once the time limit is reached.

With spring break and summer approaching, it's not uncommon for people to feel the need to better their diet and spending. Another way students are cutting back on spending is by giving up Starbucks.

“I’m giving up Starbucks to save money, I go like every day of the week,” said Natalie Burhans. 

Victoria Ivens is also thinking about doing the same. “But they’re coming out with lavender drinks again and I need them!”

Many students are really focused on saving money. Owen Widman says, “I am giving up buying things on impulse because I spend way too much money.”

Amanda Piel had a similar intention, “I’m giving up buying clothes on depop. At least five packages come to my house a week. I need help with my impulse spending and it will lower my screen time too.”

Here are a few more ideas to take inspiration from our student body. Lizzy Lucas is giving up monster energy drinks, Cecilia Makowski is saying goodbye to instagram reels, and Liz Doran will take a break from snapchat.

It definitely can be hard to give up these simple daily pleasures that make us happy. Mr. Koester said, “The classics are always good, like sweets.” He recommends giving up something good that people have an overdependence on. “Don’t give up something immoral, that should be given up anyway.” 

Lent is the time to make small sacrifices, whether it be the beloved Starbucks, desserts, yummy snacks, spending, or screen time. This is a time to reflect on how forty days without our favorite pleasures is an opportunity to master discipline skills.