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'Locking in': The viral trend pushing focus over distractions in 2025
From marathon study sessions to grueling gym routines, the phrase 'locking in'-a call to endure short-term discomfort for long-term gains-has surged in popularity this year, according to Google Trends. But is this hyper-focused mindset a productivity breakthrough or a fast track to burnout?
The psychology behind the phrase
For many, 'locking in' is more than a buzzword-it's a ritual. Dani, a 20-year-old University of Manchester student, describes it as 'romanticizing deep work', a way to frame mundane tasks as part of a heroic journey. 'It's like giving yourself a villain arc,' she says, drawing parallels to anime and TV tropes where characters undergo transformative struggles. Her own version? A 3 a.m. revision sprint fueled by electro-beats, digestive biscuits, and a silenced phone-all before a 10-hour exam marathon.
Influencers have seized on the trend, framing winter's shorter days as the 'perfect time to lock in'-a seasonal reboot for personal growth. Yet critics warn the pressure to constantly 'grind' risks glorifying overwork under a motivational guise.
From gaming to gyms: Where 'locking in' takes hold
For professional gamer Karagii, 29, the phrase is both a shield and a rallying cry. As one of few women in competitive gaming, she faces near-daily sexism-comments ranging from 'you're good for a girl' to outright misogyny. 'I tell myself I need to lock in to play as well as anyone else,' she says from her Surrey home. Her 11-hour streams demand discipline: scheduled meals, anime breaks, and time with her cat to avoid burnout. 'I also want to be a role model for young women who watch me.'
Emma, 28, a personal trainer in Lancashire, initially avoided gyms due to self-consciousness, opting for home workouts and calorie restriction. Now, she advocates for sustainable 'locking in'-setting realistic goals and embracing rest. 'Burnout is normal,' she admits. 'You won't feel motivated every day.' Her tips? Switch up routines, try short-term challenges (like cycling 100 miles in a month), or partner with a friend for accountability.
From niche slang to mainstream meme
Linguist Adam Aleksic, known online as Etymology Nerd, traces 'locking in' to early 2000s African American Vernacular English, with Urban Dictionary entries dating to 2009. Its 2025 resurgence, however, spans motivational gym clips to ironic memes (e.g., a cat 'locking in' on a nap). 'Memes evolve into vocabulary when they're endlessly reused,' the 24-year-old explains. Yet despite its ubiquity, the phrase didn't crack 2025's word-of-the-year lists-Collins chose 'vibe coding', while Cambridge picked 'parasocial'.
For Dani and her peers, 'locking in' has become a social glue. 'We'll tell each other to lock in on a boring lab day-it's funny because we all know the struggle,' she says. After her 10-hour exam, she and a friend painted until 4 a.m. 'We were locked in... but on art, not work.'
The fine line between focus and obsession
Experts caution that while 'locking in' can boost productivity, its extreme forms may blur into unhealthy obsession. Emma's advice? 'Structure is key, but so is flexibility. If you're exhausted, maybe today's lock-in is a walk, not a workout.' Karagii echoes this: 'Discipline isn't about punishing yourself-it's about showing up, even when it's hard.'
