The ‘Ber’ months—September through December—are here, and since becoming a mom, September 1 has always been the start of the holiday sprint. I’ve personally referred to it as “Happy Hallow-Giving-Holidays,” because I don’t know about you, but these months tend to feel like they all run together. I’m buying family Halloween costumes in September and Christmas gifts in October, and I’m planning all the family events 24/7 between birthday parties, holiday parties, and squeezing quality time with both sides of the family. With all this to say, by the end of the holidays, I’m completely winded.
Historically, these three months, I’m totally locked in to all things holiday, school, and family-related events. But there’s a new Gen-Z trend taking being ‘locked-in’ to a whole new level, and it’s called the “Great Lock In Challenge.” While this trend focuses on committing to areas in your life to better yourself or dialing in on a specific area of wellness, such as hitting the gym or finally hitting your financial goals, the Great Lock In Challenge hits differently for moms. I’m sharing what the Great Lock-In trend is, how this looks different for me as a mom, and how I’m redefining it.
What is ‘The Great Lock In’ challenge?
This wellness trend or challenge has taken TikTok by storm. It’s all about ‘locking-in’ and being laser-focused on some aspect of your life that you want to improve from September 1 through December 31 with the intention of ending (or starting) the year on a good note.
TikTok user Tatiana O’Hara (@_tatianaforbes) says the Great Lock In is “more than enough time to absolutely change your life.” This challenge falls within the same lines as the ‘Winter Arc,’ ‘75 Hotter Challenge,’ and more—all of which focus on a time-bound commitment to transforming your life in a certain time span and glowing it up, per se.
‘The Great Lock In’ trend hits differently as a mom
This challenge pulls me in because, first off, I appreciate that it’s well before January 1 and the dreaded (failed) New Year’s resolutions that come with it. I applaud people who are focusing on fitness and career goals. Plus, I love that people are sending words of encouragement, like O’Hara, who commented, “You got thissss.”
But as a mom who’s been running the September through December sprint for a few years now, the thing I’m wanting to lock in on this year is actually slowing down and prioritizing, yes, wellness, but in the form of scaling back the mental load that bogs me down during this time. I’m focusing on my mental peace.
How I’m ‘locking in’ during this busy season
Instead of a sprint, I’m making the ‘Ber’ months a leisurely stroll through the park. This means zoning in on quality time during the holidays instead of packing it with stress, and I’m sharing how.
I’m prioritizing quality time (not quantity of events)
By midway through September, my calendar is usually filled up with every weekend blocked. There’s no extra leeway. We usually have a set schedule, and I’m constantly looking ahead to make sure my family doesn’t miss a beat—whether that be signing up for an annual sold-out Christmas show or running the local Turkey Trot. But this year, I’m prioritizing fewer events and more casual quality time together. While we’ve traditionally stacked up on any holiday event that comes our way, I’m scaling it back. This looks like one thing per weekend or day, and committing to rest.
I’m reminding myself that saying ‘no’ to things is OK
As a mom, one of the things I fear is my kids missing out on things. However, the times that I’ve committed to back-to-back birthday parties on the same day, it’s always left me questioning, “Why did I do this to myself?” I’m setting boundaries. I’m also going to be OK with saying ‘no,’ especially when it makes me and the kids exhausted.
I’m going to schedule time for myself
With this busy season, I usually forgo me-time. Admittedly, I pour myself into making the holidays special without refilling my cup. Before I became a mom, I didn’t understand why some of my mom friends loved going to dinner or a movie alone. I now appreciate that some quiet alone time is something I need occasionally! Plus, I’ve learned it makes me a better mom. Whether it’s making sure I schedule alone time, a date night with my husband, or a girls’ day, I’m not going to allow myself to feel mom guilt over it either.
I’m letting go of perfection
My mom always made the holiday season so special. It was constant planning, always going above and beyond, and delivering us the best presents. As an adult and as a parent, I’ve come to appreciate her more than ever. But it also has me realizing how exhausted she was. To be honest, I only remember two to three Christmas presents—at most—growing up (sorry, mom). What I do remember is the family I was surrounded by and the quality time we shared. Nothing during this season has to be perfect, and I want to remind myself of that.
When I envision myself during these months, I see myself frantically checking off all the lists. I’m stressed out because the holidays are overwhelming to manage. I know I overwork myself (even when I don’t have to). But I don’t want my kids to remember me as the ‘frantic and stressed out mom’ on Christmas. So, yes, I’m locking in on this Great Lock In Challenge. Although as a mom, it has nothing to do with going to the gym. It’s more about less chaos and being present to be a better version of myself.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.
