In a world filled with uncertainty, members of Generation Z are taking on challenges that promise self-improvement and a better future. The latest trend dominating TikTok is called “The Great Lock-In,” a three-month initiative that kicked off in September and will conclude at the end of the year. Participants aim to enter 2024 with newly acquired habits and completed goals, all part of the broader motivation of “New Year, New Me.”
Videos under the hashtags #thegreatlockin and #lockingin reveal a distinct aesthetic embraced by Gen Z. Many creators share clips showcasing their less-frequented living spaces, all while clad in neutral workout attire. Viewers can find them preparing healthy meals, engaging in treadmill walks, and meticulously journaling their activities with timestamps, often set against energetic rap music or inspirational quotes from legendary NBA athletes like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
“It’s all about programming your mind to go hard for a sprint of time,” influencer Tatiana Forbes explained in a recent TikTok video, capturing the essence of this trend. “It’s meant to be this time where you put forth immense effort in some area of your life.”
The notion of “locking in” is rooted in sports and gaming cultures, where it signifies a phase of intense focus aimed at accomplishing various tasks. On social platforms, it has emerged as a rallying cry for Gen Z. Users are seen posting about everything from “locking in” at the gym to “locking in” to finish books and maintain hydration, highlighting their commitment to productivity and self-betterment.
This drive among Gen Z isn’t entirely new. For many, it stems from the hustle culture that permeated the lives of millennials, who largely reacted to their generation’s challenges, including the Great Recession. Now, Gen Z is attempting to overcome the fatigue associated with excessive digital engagement during the pandemic while also grappling with economic instability exacerbated by advancements in artificial intelligence and sociopolitical shifts.
But what does it mean for Gen Z to “lock in,” and how does this aspiration translate outside TikTok? Is it an act of defiance, a coping mechanism, or a perhaps just mere performance? The truth is it embodies elements of all three.
A significant motivation for young people is the desire to minimize distractions. As participants focus on achieving their goals, many also seek to disconnect from their screens. Social media often suggests that limiting screen time before bed is essential, with some recommending a complete social media hiatus to eventually return as a more refined version of oneself.
This collective yearning has led to a growing interest in digital minimalism, a concept popularized by Cal Newport, a professor at Georgetown University. A subreddit dedicated to this lifestyle now champions intentional living and mindful usage of technology, signaling a broader desire among young individuals.
The practice of locking in aligns closely with Newport’s idea of “deep work,” which refers to the ability to concentrate on cognitively demanding tasks without distraction. According to Newport, the term “locking in” is a direct response to the overwhelming presence of smartphones and the resulting deterioration of focus.
“It would be impossible for them to avoid noticing the degree to which these devices are taking them away from essentially every meaningful activity and manipulating their psychology,” Newport explained.
Recent data supports these observations; the 2024 BePresent Digital Wellness Report found that 83 percent of Gen Z respondents believe they have an unhealthy attachment to their phones, compared to 74 percent of other generations. A 2025 study by Harmony Healthcare IT concluded that 72 percent of Gen Z participants felt their mental health would benefit if technology were less addictive. Additionally, Pinterest’s Summer Trend Report noted a significant 273 percent increase in searches for “digital detox vision board.”
Despite efforts to be present and productive, many young people feel that they must portray their activities on TikTok or Instagram, which seems counterintuitive to the essence of locking in. This trend partially resides within a broader cultural phenomenon that, especially post-pandemic, celebrates wellness and fitness. Social media also provokes a desire for recognition and status in the realm of self-improvement.
As a result, locking in often translates into actions that appear contradictory to the initial goal of reducing digital consumption. Gen Z has earned a reputation as the loneliest generation; they experience higher isolation rates than both millennials and Gen Xers, a situation exacerbated by pandemic lockdowns and reliance on social media tools. Economic uncertainty has also led to a more insular lifestyle.
In terms of work ethic, locking in contradicts the stereotypical view of Gen Z as being apathetic. Research indicates that this generation prioritizes work-life balance over corporate hierarchy. A 2025 Deloitte survey revealed that only 6 percent of young people view achieving leadership roles as their career ambition. Furthermore, a LinkedIn analysis found that Gen Z is most inclined to reject jobs lacking flexible work options. Yet, just because they are not inclined to be company loyalists does not mean they are unproductive.
“Gen Z isn’t more obsessed with productivity, but rather, it’s obsessed with productivity in a different context,” said Kate Lindsay, co-founder of the newsletter Embedded. She emphasized that while millennials often associate productivity with career advancement, Gen Z tends to link it with self-improvement.
Lindsay perceives the locking in trend as a reaction against a current that promotes passivity. “We’re scrolling, we’re binging, we’re bed-rotting,” she commented. “Locking in is a way of kick-starting ourselves out of that and into a state that’s more active.”
The focus on self-betterment is accentuated by an increasingly competitive job market for young people in the wake of COVID-19. A Bank of America Institute report highlighted that 13 percent of unemployed Americans in July were new entrants to the job market—a group heavily comprised of Gen Z individuals.
While some may dismiss the locking in trend as superficial, it indeed offers a sense of control amidst a challenging economy. Chiara Wilkinson, a freelance writer, noted that many millennials find the promises of traditional adulthood out of reach now due to factors like student debt, rising housing costs, and inflation along with the looming threat of AI on entry-level jobs.
“Many of the promises we were sold in the traditional narrative of growing up now seem out of reach for the vast majority of the population,” Wilkinson remarked.
At its most extreme interpretation, locking in represents a pushback against the technology that has defaulted much of society into fragmentation and distraction. However, in everyday practice, it appears that Gen Z is involved in an ongoing cycle of self-enhancement that doesn’t inherently resolve any of their generational challenges.
Additionally, one must consider: Is Gen Z allowing space for enjoyment in their many self-improvement initiatives?
“Much of Gen Z’s worldview is shaped by economic anxiety, leading many to feel uneasy when they aren’t productive,” Wilkinson stated. “Current economic structures might make ‘having fun’ challenging.” Even low-cost activities, such as walks or casual meetups, come with expectations of productivity, complicating the pursuit of leisure.
For now, locking in appears to serve as a strategy for coping rather than a gateway to genuine improvement. Gen Z’s circumstances will ultimately dictate when they can stop effortful striving and simply enjoy life.
