We’ve all been there before. Classes are difficult, stress levels are high and you need an A on your next exam to boost your grade just a little bit further. Turning to a friend, you promise them that this time you’re ‘locking in’ for real. But what does this phrase even mean?
The term ‘locking in’ first emerged from the competitive video game culture of the early 2000s, with linguistic origins in AAVE (African American Vernacular English). It was something that players would say to their friends and/or audiences when they were intensely focused on a task at hand, an indication that they’d be eliminating all other possible distractions. The phrase also likens back to the military term ‘locking on,’ which refers to focusing on a certain target.
Generations Z and Alpha have increasingly adopted this term to refer to periods of extreme concentration on advancing in schoolwork, jobs, hobbies and more. While ‘locking in’ can certainly be a productive mindset, especially for those that struggle with concentration and procrastination, it can be equally as damaging. A new culture has arisen around the concept, one that contributes to significant burnout, perfectionism and social isolation in young people.
Vogue describes the culture of ‘locking in’ in the following terms, “[The philosophy operates under] a shallow value system where self-worth hinges on how productive you appear, which rarely leads to longer-term changes. But more than that, ‘locking in’ to these extremes usually means opting for a solitary, lonely existence.”
Not unlike the ‘hustle culture’ perpetuated by previous generations, ‘locking in’ involves blocking out anything and everything that could be considered a distraction in order to funnel all of one’s focus into a certain task or project, and that includes going out with friends or spending downtime with family. This might be a necessary evil for someone trying to study for a single test or learn a particularly difficult song on an instrument, but being ‘locked in’ is a mindset often adopted for long-term improvement, one that can have detrimental effects on a person’s mental health.
Focusing on self-improvement is often a healthy and beneficial thing to do, but humans are social creatures. When you block out other people to better yourself, you may be doing yourself more harm than good.
As explained by Psychology Today, “An overfocus on self can leave us feeling alone” and can result in us “[missing] out on relationships.”
Oftentimes, ‘locking in’ also results in individuals losing the passion they initially had for a subject or hobby. When focus is applied so intensely on reaching perfection in a specific facet of their lives, individuals can become burnt out, which halts or in many cases negates long-term progress in their hobby, academics or whatever else they were working so hard to improve.
All things considered, ‘locking in’ is not a wholly negative mentality. However, if you’re looking to improve yourself in a healthy and holistic manner, this might not be the best way to go about it. Make sure to set reasonable goals for yourself that allow for growth without burnout, and remember to enjoy life as you live it, friends, family and all.
