75 Hard… 12-3-30… ‘Shy Girl Workouts’. It seems that every other month, there’s a hot, new wellness trend taking over our nightly doomscrolls. And while they can often be an effective way to focus on goals — whether that be studying, exercise or skincare regimes — they can also put too much emphasis on consumption (hello, daily matcha latte habit and expensive Pilates subscription!) and unrealistic, stressful to-do lists that have you falling off the wagon before you’ve even hopped on.
Say hello to the The Great Lock In 2025. It focuses on, you guessed it, ‘locking in’ — hyperfocusing on a task until it’s completed. It kickstarts today, September 1st, right through until Christmas, which wellness experts online say is the perfect way to keep focused in those dark, cold months when it’s hard enough to get out of bed, never mind kill it at the gym.
TikTok content creator Kadie Glenn breaks down the trend in four easy-to-follow steps. In her video, she asks us to start with small, realistic actions that you can consistently show up for. Going to the gym at least two times a week, instead of trying to go every single day, for instance.
Dust off that wellness journal sitting on your bedside table because step two is all about tracking, says Glenn. “We’re going to track our wins, visibly and daily,” she recommends. “Whether that’s a daily habit tracker or a sticky note situation or you’re part of a daily accountability group, find a way to make sure that we’re stacking our evidence and showing proof of our progress.”
Step three involves adopting the ‘never miss twice’ rule. Glenn recommends letting yourself have one ‘off’ day, but getting back on track the next day, not letting yourself ‘miss twice’. That way, it’s harder to spiral and lose track of your goals.
Lastly, she recommends removing ‘friction’ that stops you achieving your goals. That could be your phone stopping you from finishing that thesis because you’re too busy scrolling or a friend who wants you to come out for happy hour when you want to stop drinking. Removing these areas of friction, she says, can in turn introduce a sense of flow into your life, allowing you to achieve your goals more seamlessly.
Social media obviously loves a trend and this latest one seems to be taking over TikTok, with Kadie’s video pushing 115,000 views. But is ‘The Great Lock In’ sustainable long-term or just another wellness fad?
“Unlike trends that push us toward expensive classes, pills, or rigid programmes, ‘The Great Lock In’ is about purpose and routine, and that’s what actually creates long-term habits,” shares celebrity life coach Kasia Siwosz.
“For example, instead of attempting to stuff yourself into an early six am gym session every single day, you can vow to get your body in motion 20 minutes a day, whether it’s taking a fast walk during lunch, a yoga video at home, or even dancing around your living room.” These little, doable steps are what build momentum and confidence over time, she says.