Last year was my first Lent, and originally I thought I should give up coffee since I'm pretty dependent on it and it would be really hard. But I don't think Lent is really about making yourself (and, if I were to give up coffee, those around me) miserable. Rather, it would be more effective to give up something I didn't think about a lot, so that when I had to, I would be reminded why I gave it up. So I stopped eating cheese.
I think that having a tangible way to be reminded of God during the doldrums of my day, and having something commonplace to directly associate Him with, really prepared my mind and heart for the season. Lent is a good idea