04/01/2026
Everyone’s talking about being “locked in” lately.
And from my POV… the one that wasn’t asked for 😏😉 it feels very masculine, very rigid, and very boxed in.
Locked in leaves no room for error.
But error and mistakes are human. They’re inevitable.
When you lock in, the moment you fall short you invite shame, guilt, disappointment and self punishment.
I know, because I’ve lived it.
I was locked in six years ago doing keto.
Gym seven days a week. Daily walks. Food restriction.
Binge drinking vodka sodas EVERY GOD DAMN DAY. And spiralling every single time I “f**ked up”.
Then I got locked in to healing.
So locked in I forgot how to be human.
Everything had to be spiritual.
“That doesn’t feel aligned.”
“That’s not very spiritual.”
Constant mind chatter, constant self monitoring.
Joy disappeared. Mistakes felt heavy. Shame crept in again, just dressed up differently.
It’s taken a long time to get here and a whole lot of self awareness and compassion. But What I do now instead of locking in, is check in.
What capacity do I actually have today?
Physically, Emotionally, mentally. What can my nervous system hold?
If I’m burnt out, underslept or not at my best, I rest or I give what I can. If I’ve got it in me, I’ll smash a gym session and then happily sit on my arse with a book for the rest of the day. If I don’t hit my step goal, cool! I’ll try again tomorrow. Want that mini flake? You bet I’m going to eat it.
I live my life for me.
I don’t lock in to comparison anymore.
I don’t spiral when others seem ahead.
I recognise when I need rest, when I can give 100%, and when 60% is more than enough.
This isn’t about motivation. Motivation comes and goes.
I’ve built habits that support me on the days it’s not there
without punishing myself for being human.
I don’t lock in. I listen. I check in.
And that’s where sustainability, joy and self trust actually live.
The last 2 photos in this reel are me currently. In my softest, most unhinged era. Consistent but I also leave space for rest, spontaneity, life. I live my life how I want not because someone’s telling me I need to lock in ✌🏼
Remember discipline without compassion isn’t growth, it’s another cage. 🖤🔥