PSA: The “Great Lock-In Challenge” Is Not A Toxic Productivity Marathon

Bears hibernate in the winter. But the woman in the slicked-back bun hitting the 12-3-30 combo on the treadmill? She gets ready to lock in. It is, in fact, time for “the great lock-in.”

Never heard of it before? Do you remember last year when everyone was talking about their “winter arc” and essentially focusing on self-improvement during the winter? Well, this is essentially the same thing repackaged for the final few months of the year.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t the New Year the time for self-improvement? Can’t I just continue rotting and putting off any goals or aspirations til 2026? Not unless you’re willing to miss out on yet another TikTok trend!

Clinical psychologist Jamie Evan Bichelman says the timing actually makes sense. “As we make our way through the ‘ber’ months, the crushing pressure of wanting to conclude the year on a high note may make us feel the need to fit a year’s worth of accomplishments into a few short months,” he explains. Basically, we want to look back at our year and feel like the main character, even if the first 10 months were kind of mid.

Dr. Meghan Marcum, Chief Psychologist at AMFM Healthcare, adds that the end of the year naturally sharpens people’s focus. Between deadlines, reflection, and a collective “let’s wrap things up” vibe, she says the “great lock-in” lines up with patterns she often sees: “The combination of deadlines, reflection, and social momentum tends to sharpen people’s attention on goals.”

And while it might sound like resolutions in disguise, experts say there’s a key difference. Bichelman points out that younger generations are over the idea that you have to wait until January 1 to change your life.

“I have always wondered why I should wait until January 1 to begin practicing healthier habits or learn new, beneficial skills,” he says, adding that you can reclaim your year whenever you want — November 15, December 21, or literally a random Tuesday.

Marcum frames it like this: end-of-year lock-ins are about finishing strong, while January resolutions are about starting fresh. “Year-end improvement is about closing loops, finishing what you started, and using real feedback from the past 9–12 months to make targeted moves,” she says.

So, should you do it? On the positive side, both experts agree it can be motivating. Bichelman notes that the habits people are sharing — eating more plants, cutting back on sugar, actually getting some sleep — are “sensible, healthy pieces of advice commonly given by healthcare providers.” Marcum adds that a short sprint can be energizing, helping people prioritize and enter the new year with confidence.

But (and you knew there was a but), there’s also a risk of turning the lock-in into a toxic productivity marathon. Marcum warns it can slip into all-or-nothing perfectionism, where missing one day feels like total failure. “Sometimes these trends can create comparison on social media or people sacrifice sleep, nutrition, or relationships to ‘win’ the sprint,” she explains. Bichelman echoes that concern, saying, “Where this trend could become bastardized and made unhealthy is the act of comparison: seeing influencers who obsessively post about their progress…and comparing their achievements to your busy life.”

Basically: if you’re spiraling because someone on TikTok journaled at sunrise and meal-prepped three-square meals for each day of the week while you barely got out of bed, you’re doing it wrong.

If you do want to participate, both psychologists recommend keeping it realistic. Marcum suggests picking just one or two priorities and setting tiny daily minimums, like a 10-minute walk or 15 minutes on a project.

“Consistency is always more effective and attainable than heroic bursts,” she says.

Bichelman suggests tailoring the challenge by color-coding what feels doable versus what’s a stretch, so you avoid the pressure of trying to check off every single box. And most importantly, he reminds us to celebrate small wins:

“If you managed to try 2–3 items on the ‘great lock-in’ list, that is something remarkable and deserving of your pride.”

So yes, the great lock-in can either be your villain era of self-comparison and exhaustion… or just a cute little productivity push to end the year feeling slightly less chaotic. Either way, if you feel like you don’t “lock in” as much as you should during these last few months of the year… Well, there’s always 2026.