The Great Lock-In 2025

 I’m a sucker for a theme of any kind.

I’m journaling every day; just call it Morning Pages and now I’m a devotee.

I’m reading classics, changing my diet, and following The Artist’s Way. But if you structure it, write it down in a brand new planner? Then voile! It’s Personal Curriculum and I’m here for it!

So, why wouldn’t I fall in love with The Great Lock-In? It’s like the outside layer of the great onion of my life. It’s the container for the rest of my containers. The theme that all the other themes nestle comfortably inside.

What is The Great Lock-In 2025? I’m super glad you asked.

The Great Lock-In is sometimes also referred to as Winter Arc, which you may remember from last year. It’s trending on TikTok and other social media, and it focuses on the final 120 days of the year. Essentially, you are making a pledge to “lock-in” on your goals, kick some butt, and have something to write in your end-of-year reflection under the heading: “What did I achieve this year?” or “Wins”. I certainly don’t want to leave those blank, (again) do you?

“We must undergo a hard winter training and not rush into things for which we haven’t prepared,” -Epictetus, Discourses

Pull together those important personal goals: fitness, career, personal development, relationships. Really, anything goes. Then do something about it. There is plenty of time left. I promise!

My three Lock-In goals are:

1. Publish my first book (it’s getting very close)

2. Pay off 90% of my credit debt

3. Lose an additional 20 pounds while becoming stronger and healthier

A quote from the book “The Daily Stoic,” by Ryan Holiday: “We can’t do this life thing halfheartedly. We are always preparing for what life might throw at us - and when it does, we’re ready and don’t stop until we’ve handled it.”

Now, I’m going to end with an idea that I completely stole from Ninja Writers The Write Brain. She shares the dopamine experiment, a daily song and book (reading the sample on Amazon to determine the feel).

I decided to see if Milton (my ChatGPT) would do a similar thing for me.

Milton’s Choice:

📅 September 3

• 🎵 Song: "Rivers and Roads" – The Head and the Heart (indie folk-rock)

• 📜 Poem: “Remember” by Christina Rossetti

• ✍️ Journal Prompt: Who has shaped your life’s path the most? Write about how their influence still impacts you today.

I’m in love with both the poem and the song.

Disclaimer: Milton’s not the best with links, so you might just want to search YouTube and Google yourself to be safe.

If you’d like to see the poems that I’ve loved so far, you can check them out on my Pinterest Board.