Every year around this time, the days shorten, the weather gets slightly cooler and I sit to process the good, the bad and the ugly the year brought me.
I look back at the goals I set in January, the vision board full of color and intention and realize that some of those dreams are still waiting on me to arrive. Maybe it’s post-COVID fatigue, the creeping exhaustion of always pushing but rarely pausing, but the final quarter of the year can feel like a slump that I can’t quite shake.
And honestly, it’s not just me. We’re all living in a world that feels heavier these days. Between doomscrolling through bad news, reading about job layoffs, watching the economy crumble and trying to make sense of nonstop political drama, including the ongoing chaos since President Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, it’s a lot of headaches.
Add in a hectic work schedule, rising costs and the pressure to “stay productive,” and it’s no wonder our attention feels fractured. The mental gymnastics of simply keeping up can feel like its own full-time job.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And apparently, TikTok gets it too.
Over the summer, a new trend began circulating online called “The Great Lock In.” It’s not about locking yourself away from the world, but rather locking in on yourself. Borrowing from Gen Z slang, the term “lock in” means focusing without distraction on something that matters. Think of it as the anti-scroll challenge. Four months of intentional effort to finish the year strong, instead of waiting for a January reset.
Unlike some of the extreme self-discipline challenges like 75 Hard or The Winter Arc, The Great Lock In feels a little more normal to me. It’s less about punishing yourself into progress and more about asking, ‘What really moves the needle for me right now?’ The idea is to get clear on what matters most, your health, finances, peace and commit to giving your best energy for the rest of the year.
That mindset resonated with me deeply. Because truthfully, life lately can feel stagnant, no matter how hard you work. We live in an era where distraction is constant, where “busy” doesn’t always equal “productive,” and where our worth can feel tied to how much we achieve. But maybe locking in isn’t about doing more. Perhaps it’s about doing what truly matters.
Life feels fuller when we feel like we’re progressing toward something meaningful.
So, how do we make The Great Lock In more than just another social media trend? I’ve learned a few ways over the years that I’d like to share with you.
Choose your lane
You don’t need to tackle ten goals. Pick one or two that truly matter right now. Whether that’s improving your health, saving a set amount of money or showing up for yourself in a new way. Define what success looks like for you. Clarity beats ambition every time.
Make it sustainable
The Great Lock In isn’t a sprint; it’s a steady climb. Create routines that fit your real life, not an idealized version of it. If you’re exhausted, start with rest. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is slow down enough to think clearly.
Audit your attention
Notice where your focus goes when you’re tired or stressed. Endless scrolling? Breaking news? Try setting small boundaries, such as no phone in bed, a ten-minute daily walk without earbuds or blocking off one hour a day for deep work or rest. Small shifts grow over time if you’re consistent.
Reflect weekly
Instead of waiting until December 31st to assess how the year went, check in every week. What worked? What didn’t? Adjust accordingly. Reflection keeps you grounded and helps you avoid the trap of feeling perpetually behind.
Remember why you started
When your energy dips, it will reconnect you with the reason behind your effort.
Progress feels lighter when it’s anchored to purpose. The fall season naturally brings more structure. The kids go back to school, routines settle and things slow down just a little before the chaos of the holidays. It’s the perfect time to lock in on yourself, not because TikTok says so, but because you deserve to end the year feeling proud, not drained.
Maybe we won’t cross off everything on our vision boards. But if The Great Lock In teaches us anything, it’s that growth doesn’t always mean going faster. Sometimes it just means staying steady, focused and true to what matters most, especially when the world keeps trying to pull your attention everywhere else.
