TikTok’s latest buzz is The Great Lock-In Challenge, designed to kickstart our New Year’s resolutions early. But honestly, it feels a bit over-the-top and not entirely genuine.
As a health editor for almost a decade, I’ve seen my fair share of viral wellness trends. This year alone, there’s been the 6-6-6 Walking Challenge, the 75 Soft Challenge, and the 75 Hotter Challenge. While promoting health is important, many of these trends come off as performative. Social media often encourages us to present ourselves as if we’re nailing wellness. The reality is, everyone’s journey is unique.
The Great Lock-In runs from October to the end of December. It aims to help us focus on our wellness and financial goals, so our New Year’s resolutions feel more achievable. Although there are no strict rules, many people aim for goals like 10,000 steps a day or improving their sleep and hydration habits. Some are budgeting to boost their savings, while others might commit to daily journaling or a workout routine.
However, I often feel the pressure to be a wellness guru. But that pressure mainly comes from myself. For example, hitting 10,000 steps daily is tough for me. My job keeps me glued to a desk. Sure, I get up to stretch, but squeezing in fitness isn’t always possible. When I was a barista in college, reaching that step goal was easy. Life was different then—I had more energy and fewer responsibilities. Now, my day revolves around cooking, errands, and chores, leaving little time for exercise.
Routines also don’t suit me. They can suck the joy out of exercise. I find my happiest moments come when I work out spontaneously. When I do it for fun, rather than obligation, it feels more worthwhile.
What bothers me most about The Great Lock-In is how it seems to urge people to show off their achievements. It’s exhausting to chase external validation. While sharing goals can motivate us, this challenge feels more about performance than genuine motivation.
I prefer a different approach. Instead of strict goals, why not embrace spontaneity? If something excites me, I naturally give it my all. Ultimately, health is about how we feel in our bodies, not about proving ourselves online.
Interestingly, a recent survey revealed that over 70% of people feel pressured by social media to engage in health trends. It shows that we often equate our worth with our online personas and achievements.
Let’s stop comparing ourselves and focus on what truly makes us feel good. After all, wellness should feel good, not like another chore.
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parent_category: Health,tag: Health trends,tag: Op-Ed,tag: opinion,tag: Wellness,editor: awise,type: article
