TikTok’s “Great Lock In” trend isn’t what you think: The productivity hack you didn’t know you needed
As 2025 winds down, TikTok users are embracing a new viral challenge for the final months of the year.
Forget ‘hot girl walks’ and ‘no-spend months.’ The latest TikTok craze that’s taking over feeds is something quieter but surprisingly powerful. Called ‘The Great Lock In,’ it’s a viral end-of-year challenge that asks users to dedicate the final four months of 2025 to locking in on personal goals – financial, physical, or emotional – before the new year hits.
New Year’s resolutions to autumn reboots
Unlike January’s burst of resolutions that often fade by spring, ‘The Great Lock In’ functions more like a focused sprint. There are no rigid rules, just the mindset of tightening focus from September to December. “It’s like New Year’s resolutions’ little sister,” said financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, who runs the Mind Money Balance podcast, via AP. “People like it because it’s short-term, practical, and feels doable.”
Turning TikTok trends into real financial wins
Experts say the trend’s strength lies in its flexibility. Participants can set goals that fit their own lifestyle, whether that’s paying off a credit card or mastering meal prep. One compared it to doing a 5K run rather than a marathon.
Personal finance educator Ben Markley, host of Sketchy Advice by YNAB, agrees that the goal is to build habits, not chase perfection. “Find systems that last beyond the challenge,” he said, suggesting that budgeting apps or habit-tracking tools can help momentum carry into 2026.
A social sprint, not a competition
Much of ‘The Great Lock In’ thrives on community. Mercedes posts updates to TikTok, where accountability – and curiosity – drive engagement. “Seeing people keep up with my journey motivates me,” she said.
Still, experts warn against burnout. “If this doesn’t work for you, that’s OK,” Markley said. “There are other ways to build stability without turning life into a challenge.”
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