Latest news with #Hali
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'I want to take this time to just keep growing my mind for the game' - Tyrese Haliburton focuses on mental health alongside physical recovery
Tyrese Haliburton. Image via: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Tyrese Haliburton suffered a major blow in Game 7 of the NBA finals, which was an aggravation of the injury that he copped a couple of games prior. Since then, things have gone horribly haywire for the Indiana Pacers' Point Guard. However, appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, he had a message for the upcoming season. The words, despite being grim, would be testimony to the team spirit that runs strong in the Haliban. Tyrese Haliburton is focusing on his mental growth as his rehab continues Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA 2025 finals. Playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Hali was a key element of the Pacers and somewhat carried the franchise on his own shoulders. Before being injured, Hali did make a significant contribution to the Pacers' cause, averaging a staggering 14.0 PPG while dropping a 5.9 APG and 4.6 RPG in the series. In fact, as the final went on, Haliburton braved a growing list of criticisms where he was called the most overrated player of all time, to carve a sizzling masterclass. However, as luck would have it, on the big day, when the Pacers needed him the most, he fell terribly short, due to his Achilles injury and the Thunder would eventually pocket the Larry O'Brien Trophy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo As doubts loomed large over whether Hali would actually make an appearance for the upcoming season, the man himself had an answer. Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, he cleared the air around his availability for the upcoming season. He also shed light on how he is using his time away from the basketball court. Hali said, 'I really haven't thought about what the season would call for. I don't think that I will be travelling as much as early in the year, depending on the stage of my rehab. I still want to be around the guys as much as possible. I want to take this time to just keep growing my mind for the game.' He further shed light on the fact that being alongside Rick Carlisle has been a boon to him, Hali added, 'Talking to Coach Carlisle made me realise that I have a pretty decent basketball for myself. In the best way I can for the guys, I am going to be on that bench. Obviously, once I am able to walk, I will be cheering for the guys.' Tyrese Haliburton's 2024-25 season at a glance Tyrese Haliburton has been an absolute blessing for the Indiana Pacers ever since he joined the franchise. In the last season, he was a part of 73 games, registering a staggering 33.6 minutes per fixture, while hammering home a masterclass which read 18.6 PPG, 9.2 APG and 3.5 RPG. He was also strong on the defensive front, coming up with 1.4 steals per game while averaging a block of 0.7 per game. With an overall points tally of 1359, Haliburton did prove to be the nexus of the Indiana Pacers. It was his injury that proved to be too costly for the Pacers in the Game 7 of the finals. Hali's showdown against the Knicks on November 10th, where he ran an absolute riot with 35 points next to his name, was a burning testimony to his scintillating stature. Also read: Luka Doncic expected to sign long-term extension to stay with Los Angeles Lakers through prime years Whether Hali would be back for this season or not remains a question, the Pacers will have to think about secondary options. The Pacers might start banking a lot more on Andrew Nembhard, considering his decent performances in the last season. The Pacers might also consider redoing the distribution duties amongst the likes of Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown and Pascal Siakam. With all of this being said, it is going to be intriguing to see how Carlisle shuffles his unit in the absence of Hali. FAQs: What has happened to Tyrese Haliburton? Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. When can Tyrese Haliburton return? Going by the reports of the medical experts, Tyrese Haliburton might be out for approximately 10 months, which is suggestive of the fact that he might not return for the entire season. Does the Indiana Pacers have a good option to replace Tyrese Haliburton? The Pacers have a strong crop of youngsters who can come in handy in order to form a new world order, including the likes of Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Influence of art across generations, families explored in new Banff exhibit
BANFF NATIONAL PARK – It's the smell of fresh paint that takes artist Hali Heavy Shield back to her childhood. From helping her mom, Faye Heavy Shield, install pieces in galleries to learning a craft by her side, Hali's artistic journey has always been closely tied to her mother's. 'She would have piles of grass working on a sculpture or we'd be baking, or I remember the smell of paint quite often when she'd be working on a project – things like making paper dolls,' said Hali. Now an artist and children's book author, Hali's work is part of the current exhibit 'Elliptical Lineages' at the Banff Centre's Walter Phillips Gallery. Exploring the influence of family members on artistic practices exchanged through generations and speaking into ideas of 'artistic lineage', 'Elliptical Lineages' features artists showcasing their individual work and those who have collaborated as family members. Curated by Jacqueline Bell, the exhibit provides a unique opportunity for artists to show their work alongside one another whether as relatives or friends who consider one another family. 'The initial concept of thinking about artists' practices that were in some way kind of relating to or reflecting on the creative work of a family member, someone that they consider kin is an idea that's been on my mind for years now. [It was] really through conversation with artists that the exhibition kind of developed from there,' said Bell. As one of 18 artists with work on display, Hali reimagines her children's book, Naaahsa is an Artist! through several mediums. The book tells the story of her daughter and her mom and the creative practices they share. 'It's sort of a celebration between the relationship of a grandmother and grandchild and how the grandmother's creative influences can be very powerful and can influence the grandchild,' said Hali. Alongside hard copies of the book, her pieces include three bean bags made with fabric from patterns seen throughout the story, a mural with illustrations from the book and an audio track done by her mom with excerpts read in the Blackfoot language. '[My mom] taught me that life as an artist can become a reality. You can really make art for a living and so this inspired me; inspired the idea for the book,' she said. From the Kainai Nation in southern Alberta, Blackfoot culture is central to Hali's practice, and she often incorporates Blackfoot language, colour palettes and design referencing her cultural background throughout her work – all a part of her artistic lineage. 'Blackfoot language is so important and integral to who I am and the importance, too, of women. I have a lot of influential people in my life, specifically auntie moms and cousins and sisters and my daughter, of course, that all feed into my work,' she said. From animations and interactive pieces to beadwork, quilting and found objects, the artists take diverse approaches in exploring tradition, relationship, community and ancestry through the exhibit. 'It's a really unique and special opportunity for me to be able to share work that really means very much to the artists,' said Bell. Under the name tīná gúyáńí, parent child duo seth cardinal dodginghorse and Glenna Cardinal, display a piece called 'nadisha-hi at'a (I am going home).' Using a silkscreen technique and elk parfleche, their work shows an image of Glenna's grandmother, Winnie Bull, along with two Canadian pennies. The piece reflects on the loss of their families' generational home in Tsuut'ina Nation after the construction of the southwest Calgary ring road. Îethka artist Kirsten Ryder displays regalia used for ceremonial dances in her piece 'Mîsepasin'. The traditional craft of beadwork was passed down to her by her grandmother and mother. Other artists with work on display are Norma and Sarah Houle, Frank and Rita McKeough, Hangama Amiri, Badrin x Blackburn, Letitia Fraser, John de Haan and Jason de Haan, Aaron McIntosh, Anne, Gailan and Wayne Ngan and Jamie Ross. Hali hopes viewers of the exhibit will reflect on the importance of family and relationships in the journey of being an artist, along with the power of art to bring healing. 'We tend to work sometimes individually or in isolation, but that's really not the case,' said Hali. 'It takes a lot of people and especially family is so important in many different areas and I'm hoping that comes about in the artwork.' The exhibit will be on display at the Walter Phillips Gallery until Sept. 7. Visitors are invited to join a guided tour of the show on Aug. 20. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. 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NBC Sports
25-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Indiana Pacers 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: What the Hali
Now that the NBA season is over, we'll recap the fantasy basketball season for the 2024-25 runners-up. Over the last two months, we've provided a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the Eastern and Western Conference champions. Today, we're looking at a team that went on one of the greatest playoff runs ever seen. Indiana Pacers 2024-2025 Season Recap Record: 50-32 (4th, East) Offensive Rating: 115.4 (9th) Defensive Rating: 113.3 (14th) Net Rating: 2.1 (T-13th) Pace: 100.76 (7th) 2025 NBA Draft Picks: 54th pick The 2024-25 campaign was perhaps the most exciting in Pacers history, and I'm including the 1999-00 championship run and the 2005 Malice at the Palace season. For the second straight year, the Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but this year, they got over the hump. Indiana lost a heartbreaker in Game 7 of the Finals to the Thunder, but Indiana's improbable run to the last game of the season was one of the most entertaining and unexpected in recent memory. Superstar Tyrese Haliburton took the next step with a dazzling postseason run, but a devastating injury in Game 7 of the Finals will have a major ripple effect across the roster next season. Let's recap last season's fantasy performances and look ahead to 2025-26. Fantasy Standout: Tyrese Haliburton Haliburton delivered a monster season for fantasy managers, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.0 triples in 33.6 minutes across 73 games. He shot 47.3% from the floor and 85.1% from the charity stripe as he finished fifth in per-game fantasy value. For as great of a regular season as Hali had, his postseason run was the stuff of legends. The fourth-seeded Pacers took down the Bucks in five games, and Haliburton delivered the knockout blow with a game-winning layup in Game 5. Next up were the Cavs, who Indiana dispatched in another gentlemen's sweep. Down two in Game 2, Hali missed a free throw with 12 seconds remaining, gathered his own rebound, dribbled out beyond the arc and coldly sank the go-ahead trey with just over a second to play. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, Haliburton wasted no time making his mark on the series. Down two with 10 seconds to play, he drove into the lane, dribbled back and launched a shot that took a long bounce off the rim before finding daylight. Thinking he had won the game, Haliburton imitated Reggie Miller's iconic choking gesture to the crowd at Madison Square Garden. Review showed that his foot was on the line, but Indiana wrapped the game up in OT and never looked back in the series. In the Finals, Haliburton hit another game-winner in Game 1 to give Indiana its first and only lead of the contest. The Pacers were massive underdogs to win the Finals against the Thunder, and they were dogs in each of the seven games of the series. Somehow, Haliburton and Co. forced a Game 7, but tragedy struck just minutes into the contest. Haliburton sank three early triples to put the Pacers up, but as he made a move on the wing, his right Achilles visibly tore, and he went to the ground. Haliburton was immediately emotional, and he was helped off the court. Later reports confirmed the Achilles tear, and Hali Fantasy Revelation: T.J. McConnell McConnell finished the regular season ranked 218 in per-game fantasy value, but the revolutionary nature of his performance came in the postseason, where he became a Pacers legend. McConnell averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks in 17.9 minutes across 79 games in the regular season. He shot respectably at 51.9% from the field and 74% from the charity stripe in his sixth season with Indiana, operating as a change-of-pace guard specializing as a high-energy defender and facilitator. He came to play in the Finals, averaging 12 points, 3.6 boards, 4.3 dimes and 2.1 steals across seven games. With Tyrese Haliburton hobbled in Games 5-6 and out for most of Game 7, he stepped up in a big way. Over the final three games of the championship series, McConnell posted 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals. He routinely made huge plays on offense, including key rebounds and microwave scoring when his team couldn't hit shots. With Haliburton set to miss significant time next season, McConnell has surely earned a larger role for the 2025-26 campaign, making him an intriguing late-round option in fantasy drafts. Fantasy Disappointment: None Indiana operated as a well-oiled machine throughout the regular season and playoffs, leaning on Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to do the heavy lifting, with Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Benn Mathurin filling in the gaps. The stars shined, and the role players did what they were asked to do. There were no major surprises from a fantasy standpoint. Myles Turner: Turner finished his 10th season in Indiana with averages of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.0 swats and 2.2 triples. The big man appeared in 72 games and logged 30.2 minutes per night, shooting 48.1% from the floor and 77.3% from the charity stripe. Turner finished inside the top 50 in per-game fantasy value thanks to his ability to block shots, grab rebounds and hit triples. His strong regular season was soured by a dismal Finals run. Across seven games against the Thunder, he averaged just 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 triples. Indiana's longest-tenured player has been included in many trade rumors throughout his career, but there's no confidence that he will actually be dealt this offseason. Set to be an unrestricted free agent, Turner could choose to test the free agent market and join a center-needy team like the Lakers. Perhaps the Pacers reconsider bringing him back after his lackluster showing on the biggest stage? If he returns to the Pacers, expect similar numbers to the ones he posted this season, with a potential bump in scoring due to Haliburton's absence. Pascal Siakam: Siakam was masterful in his first full season with Indiana, averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.6 triples in 32.7 minutes across 78 appearances. The star forward shot efficiently from the floor (51.9) and knocked down 73.4% of his tries from the charity stripe. Unsurprisingly, Siakam's playing time and counting stats took a dip coming from Toronto to Indiana. He finished with his fewest points, rebounds and minutes in six seasons and his fewest assists in five seasons. He knocked down the second-most three-pointers of his career and recorded his sixth consecutive season averaging 20+ points. Spicy P enjoyed a productive playoff run, leading his team in points and rebounds while making a strong impact as a facilitator and defender. He had some huge moments, including a pair of 30-balls against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semis. Siakam could be a prime beneficiary of Haliburton's extended absence. Expect big numbers in 2025-26. Aaron Nesmith: Nesmith enjoyed the most productive season of his career, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocked shots and 1.9 triples across 25 minutes per game. Injuries limited him to just 45 games, but he made the most of his time on the court. His 43/51/91 shooting splits represent a new career-best in efficiency, and Nesmith finished just outside the top 120 in per-game fantasy hoops value in his third season with the Pacers. Nesmith played well in the postseason, and he had a memorable performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He knocked down eight triples and finished with 30 points as the Pacers stormed back to defeat the Knicks 138-135 in overtime. Nesmith isn't going to wow in any category, but he doesn't turn the ball over, he can provide respectable defensive numbers, and he can hit triples. He should take on a heftier load on offense next season with Haliburton set to miss time. A finish near the top 120 wouldn't be surprising. Andrew Nembhard: Indiana will employ a platoon approach to pick up the slack for Haliburton in 2025-26, but Nembhard could perhaps see the biggest boost to his playing time, production and fantasy value. The Gonzaga product finished the season ranked 175th in per-game fantasy hoops value behind averages of 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks and 0.8 triples with 46/79 shooting splits. He averaged nearly 29 minutes across 65 contests and set new career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists and steals. Nembhard established himself as a capable playmaker and strong defender, leading the Pacers as a floor general during the regular season when Haliburton was sidelined and spending plenty of time defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Finals. He's worth a look in the later rounds of 2025-26 fantasy drats. Obi Toppin: 'Ain't no stoppin…' In his second season with Indiana, Toppin posted averages of 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.4 triples while shooting 53.9% from the field and 78.1% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 79 games and played 19.6 minutes per contest. Toppin set new career highs in points, rebounds, assists and triples, though his performances were hot and cold throughout the regular season and playoffs. He dropped 20 points in Game 6 of the Finals only to follow it up with a goose egg in the scoring column in Game 7. Toppin finished just inside the top 200 in per-game fantasy hoops value. Even iif he takes on an increased role for the Pacers in 2025-26, he'll be tough to trust as a late-round flyer in fantasy drafts. Bennedict Mathurin: Mathurin finished 181st in per-game fantasy value with averages of 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.4 triples. He shot 45.8% from the floor and 83.1% from the charity stripe and logged 29.9 minutes per game across 72 contests. His rebounds, three-pointers, FG% and FT% represent career highs, though much like Toppin, his production was up and down. Mathurin scored 27 points in Game 3 of the Finals and finished with 17 total points across Games 4-6 before going 24/13/3/2 with a pair of triples in Game 7. Heading into Year 4, Mathurin could take the next step forward and push to score 20 points per night. With Haliburton out, he's the next man up after Pascal Siakam as a reliable nightly bucket-getter. Ben Sheppard: The man with the best moustache in the NBA finished his second professional season with averages of 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.1 triples while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 88.9% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 63 games and logged 19.5 minutes per tilt. Sheppard logged just under 14 minutes per game in the playoffs as Indiana's rotation tightened up, but he averaged nearly 19 minutes per game in Game 6 and 7 of the Finals with Haliburton limited and out. Sheppard could see more run in Haliburton's absence, though he's not yet someone to pick up in 2025-26 fantasy drafts outside deeper leagues. Restricted Free Agents: Quenton Jackson, Isaiah Jackson Unrestricted Free Agents: Thomas Bryant, James Johnson, Myles Turner Club Option: Tony Bradley Player Option: None
Refinery29
20-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Refinery29
The Soft Life Is Over — This Year We're 'Locking In'
The ' locking in ' side of TikTok is unrelenting. Early morning alarm clocks followed by a montage of to-do lists, meal-prepped oats, and speed typing on the latest MacBook Pro. Sound bites from motivational speaker Mel Robbins play in the background. 'The bottom line is, no one is coming,' she says. 'Unless you understand that you've got to push yourself, you're not gonna make your dreams come true.' If you're familiar with the above, you've seen how people swear by 'locking in'. Locking in, for the uninitiated, is a trend which sees TikTokers pursue discipline, cut out distractions, and chase long-term goals with near-military focus, be it in their professional lives, academic careers, or simply their workout routines. From dopamine detoxes to grind playlists, locking in marks a sharp pivot from the ' soft life ' trend that once dominated feeds. Soothing videos promoting slow mornings and self-care are now completely outnumbered, with all-time figures showing there's just over 460 thousand posts using the soft life hashtag on TikTok compared to millions using locked in and locking in. The question is, what triggered this collective switch? 'I think a big part of this shift is economic reality finally catching up with softness,' says Hali, a 22-year-old from Minnesota. ' Rent is up, [school] tuition is wild, and social mobility feels like it's shrinking, so naturally there's this urgency, especially among young people, to do something about it.' For Hali, who's built a following of over 130,000 followers on TikTok by sharing career, lifestyle, and personal development videos, locking in means aligning her actions with the life she wants. 'It's not just about working,' she tells me, 'it's about reclaiming power in a system that often leaves us feeling powerless.' Although she's always been productive, Hali 'amplified' this nine months ago. With a growing list of responsibilities (see: school studies, running a new business, and creating social content), she realised that 'coasting was not productive' and there was more 'potential' to be unlocked. 'I live by my Google Calendar,' she says of how she applies herself to achieve this. 'I time-block everything – from classes to content editing to deep work on my projects. I wake up early, plan my weeks, and treat my goals like they're due tomorrow.' @haliijama I said this before and I'll say it again!! Do the hard work now so future you can live off the fruits of your labor. You are never going to be this energized, motivated & young again and it's better to work on these things now rather than later. #discipline #selfdiscipline #motivationalvideo #lifeadvice #chooseyourhard #motivationalclip ♬ original sound - Hali Jama Hali isn't alone in that thinking or way of life. 'With the unending uncertainty of the world, economically, politically, and culturally, I believe people are turning inward and focusing on what they can control: their mindset, their habits, and their goals,' says Chloe, a 26-year-old from Los Angeles who locked in two years ago – well before the trend made it to our TikTok feeds. After a series of job swaps and a failed business venture, Chloe reached a 'turning point' and took a 'hard, honest look' at her situation. 'I knew I had to change the way I was living – starting with my mindset and daily habits.' Fast forward to 2025 and things are totally different for Chloe, who's now a qualified personal trainer and founder of a start-up. 'I've been deeply committed to personal growth,' she says, pointing to the 'transformative' practices – like meditating, journaling, working out, and meal-prepping – that help her be 'a little kinder, hotter, smarter, and richer, and more radiant every single day.' 'In periods of scarcity or instability, we often react by narrowing our focus and over-indexing on behaviours we can influence, like budgeting, working harder, or hyper-planning our futures,' explains Samantha Rosenberg, behavioural economist and co-founder of wealth-tech platform, Belong. 'This urgency is also driven by anticipatory regret: the fear of looking back and wishing you'd done more, earlier.' 'Self-discipline becomes a kind of psychological safety net,' she adds. 'It's why we're seeing a shift from 'treat yourself' to 'train yourself'. It feels safer.' With that in mind, it makes sense that so many people are resonating with this stricter approach to life, and a quick look at Google Trends backs this up. Over the past three months, searches for 'locked in' have shown a steady increase globally, particularly in the UK (with a growth of over 30%) and the US. Meanwhile, searches for soft life have plateaued. 'The 'soft life' was about rest and protecting peace, but I think a lot of us realised that soft living isn't sustainable long-term without some structure or achievement to back it,' says 23-year-old Samia, a London-based student. The soft life doesn't lend itself goals that require some level of grit to achieve. 'Eventually, I felt stuck,' agrees Weirong, a 25-year-old communication expert and podcaster who swapped the 'soft life' for one that's 'locked in'. 'The pause that once felt like healing started to feel like avoidance,' she continues. 'I noticed myself delaying goals in the name of 'alignment,' when really I was afraid of failing.' ''Locking in' became my way of honouring the growth from the 'soft life' while re-engaging with the world, this time with clarity and purpose,' Weirong adds of this lifestyle transition. 'I show up with consistency even when it's uncomfortable – I wake up earlier to journal, prioritise deep work, say no to distractions. It's about combining self-awareness with strategy.' Since 'locking in', all four women say they've noticed financial and professional improvements. Hali tells me of her business' growth and the brand deals she's secured, Samia points to the quality of her academic performance, Weirong is celebrating new projects and a podcast while Chloe says she's found 'true purpose' in her start-up. This sounds great, but has it come at a cost to other areas of their lives? Dr Audrey Tang, a psychologist specialising in resilience, burnout, and performance culture, tells me 'locking in' can be positive when it means 'listening to what your body needs and feeding your soul in a healthy way,' but that's not always the case. She explains that when behaviours become 'performative' and 'inauthentic', we see instances of burnout. This idea of performance ties directly into the online worlds we occupy, where our behaviours are increasingly shaped by what we see and how we want to be seen. 'We're constantly exposed to curated versions of success, which can trigger what we call 'relative deprivation' and fuel an internal race to catch up,' adds Rosenberg. 'Our brains aren't wired for this kind of always-on comparison. Even rest becomes performative – so these social platforms amplify both the extremes of self-care and hustle culture.' @chloeegaynor and I'm LOCCCKKKINNNGGG in. who's locking in too ;) #lockedin #mindset #wellness #fitness #health #sprint #routine ♬ Let it happen by Tame impala - Elldzs★ Chloe admits she's felt this at times. 'I started locking in to build a life I was proud of, one where I didn't have to work myself to total exhaustion. But I've experienced burnout from being too locked in,' she says, explaining this caused her to 'miss out on joy, peace, and time with loved ones.' Now, Chloe makes an effort to carve out time for the things she enjoys day-to-day, as well as long-term. 'I make it a goal to do at least 20 minutes of something I thoroughly enjoy every day,' she points out. 'Even when my schedule is packed, I do my best to stay consistent, and lately I've been more intentional about making plans, taking trips, and allowing myself to feel excitement.' Similarly, Samia says locking in too much triggers feelings of guilt. 'You feel like you're falling behind if you're not productive every minute,' she says. 'I've been there and I'm still trying to find my way around it, but I've learnt to build flexibility into my schedule and to reframe rest as part of the process, not a sign of weakness.' 'Being self-aware is important,' advises Dr Tang. 'If you find your reaction to missing a workout (or whatever your routine is) is out of proportion to the event itself, then you would do well to engage in self-reflection to see if 'motivation' has turned into overly rigid discipline, which may not be healthy.' 'The key is knowing when to push and when to pause,' adds Samia, 'Rest isn't a reward but a requirement,' adds Weirong, who points to the soft life lessons she still holds on to. 'Locking in, for me, is soft life with purpose – it includes rest, but also requires discipline. It's the integration of stillness and structure.' To that end, here's a reminder that purpose doesn't have to be punishing, and peace doesn't mean giving up. Yes, your career might skyrocket during a season of locking in – but if it comes at the cost of your mental health, relationships, or happiness, it's worth asking: success by whose definition? The pursuit of success is seemingly driving the collective shift toward structure, however that looks for individuals). 'When people sense that long-term opportunities – like home ownership or financial freedom – are slipping out of reach, doubling down on discipline offers a sense of agency,' Rosenberg reminds us, adding that by focusing on 'immediate actions' we feel like we can 'shift the long game.' Both the soft life and locking in trends offer that illusion of control, and these social media-friendly frameworks promise fulfilment, even if by different routes. But they risk becoming performative obligations than actual choices. Perhaps, then, we needn't choose a side, but step back from the cycle altogether and accept that a successful life doesn't have to be optimised, aesthetic, or For You Page-approved. A successful life is whatever you make it.
Refinery29
16-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Refinery29
The Soft Life Is Over — This Summer We're 'Locking In'
The ' locking in ' side of TikTok is unrelenting. Early morning alarm clocks followed by a montage of to-do lists, meal-prepped oats, and speed typing on the latest MacBook Pro. Sound bites from motivational speaker Mel Robbins play in the background. 'The bottom line is, no one is coming,' she says. 'Unless you understand that you've got to push yourself, you're not gonna make your dreams come true.' If you're familiar with the above, you've seen how people swear by 'locking in'. Locking in, for the uninitiated, is a trend which sees TikTokers pursue discipline, cut out distractions, and chase long-term goals with near-military focus, be it in their professional lives, academic careers, or simply their workout routines. From dopamine detoxes to grind playlists, locking in marks a sharp pivot from the ' soft life ' trend that once dominated feeds. Soothing videos promoting slow mornings and self-care are now completely outnumbered, with all-time figures showing there's just over 460 thousand posts using the soft life hashtag on TikTok compared to millions using locked in and locking in. The question is, what triggered this collective switch? 'I think a big part of this shift is economic reality finally catching up with softness,' says Hali, a 22-year-old from Minnesota. ' Rent is up, [school] tuition is wild, and social mobility feels like it's shrinking, so naturally there's this urgency, especially among young people, to do something about it.' For Hali, who's built a following of over 130,000 followers on TikTok by sharing career, lifestyle, and personal development videos, locking in means aligning her actions with the life she wants. 'It's not just about working,' she tells me, 'it's about reclaiming power in a system that often leaves us feeling powerless.' Although she's always been productive, Hali 'amplified' this nine months ago. With a growing list of responsibilities (see: school studies, running a new business, and creating social content), she realised that 'coasting was not productive' and there was more 'potential' to be unlocked. 'I live by my Google Calendar,' she says of how she applies herself to achieve this. 'I time-block everything – from classes to content editing to deep work on my projects. I wake up early, plan my weeks, and treat my goals like they're due tomorrow.' @haliijama I said this before and I'll say it again!! Do the hard work now so future you can live off the fruits of your labor. You are never going to be this energized, motivated & young again and it's better to work on these things now rather than later. #discipline #selfdiscipline #motivationalvideo #lifeadvice #chooseyourhard #motivationalclip ♬ original sound - Hali Jama Hali isn't alone in that thinking or way of life. 'With the unending uncertainty of the world, economically, politically, and culturally, I believe people are turning inward and focusing on what they can control: their mindset, their habits, and their goals,' says Chloe, a 26-year-old from Los Angeles who locked in two years ago – well before the trend made it to our TikTok feeds. After a series of job swaps and a failed business venture, Chloe reached a 'turning point' and took a 'hard, honest look' at her situation. 'I knew I had to change the way I was living – starting with my mindset and daily habits.' Fast forward to 2025 and things are totally different for Chloe, who's now a qualified personal trainer and founder of a start-up. 'I've been deeply committed to personal growth,' she says, pointing to the 'transformative' practices – like meditating, journaling, working out, and meal-prepping – that help her be 'a little kinder, hotter, smarter, and richer, and more radiant every single day.' 'In periods of scarcity or instability, we often react by narrowing our focus and over-indexing on behaviours we can influence, like budgeting, working harder, or hyper-planning our futures,' explains Samantha Rosenberg, behavioural economist and co-founder of wealth-tech platform, Belong. 'This urgency is also driven by anticipatory regret: the fear of looking back and wishing you'd done more, earlier.' 'Self-discipline becomes a kind of psychological safety net,' she adds. 'It's why we're seeing a shift from 'treat yourself' to 'train yourself'. It feels safer.' With that in mind, it makes sense that so many people are resonating with this stricter approach to life, and a quick look at Google Trends backs this up. Over the past three months, searches for 'locked in' have shown a steady increase globally, particularly in the UK (with a growth of over 30%) and the US. Meanwhile, searches for soft life have plateaued. 'The 'soft life' was about rest and protecting peace, but I think a lot of us realised that soft living isn't sustainable long-term without some structure or achievement to back it,' says 23-year-old Samia, a London-based student. The soft life doesn't lend itself goals that require some level of grit to achieve. 'Eventually, I felt stuck,' agrees Weirong, a 25-year-old communication expert and podcaster who swapped the 'soft life' for one that's 'locked in'. 'The pause that once felt like healing started to feel like avoidance,' she continues. 'I noticed myself delaying goals in the name of 'alignment,' when really I was afraid of failing.' ''Locking in' became my way of honouring the growth from the 'soft life' while re-engaging with the world, this time with clarity and purpose,' Weirong adds of this lifestyle transition. 'I show up with consistency even when it's uncomfortable – I wake up earlier to journal, prioritise deep work, say no to distractions. It's about combining self-awareness with strategy.' Since 'locking in', all four women say they've noticed financial and professional improvements. Hali tells me of her business' growth and the brand deals she's secured, Samia points to the quality of her academic performance, Weirong is celebrating new projects and a podcast while Chloe says she's found 'true purpose' in her start-up. This sounds great, but has it come at a cost to other areas of their lives? Dr Audrey Tang, a psychologist specialising in resilience, burnout, and performance culture, tells me 'locking in' can be positive when it means 'listening to what your body needs and feeding your soul in a healthy way,' but that's not always the case. She explains that when behaviours become 'performative' and 'inauthentic', we see instances of burnout. This idea of performance ties directly into the online worlds we occupy, where our behaviours are increasingly shaped by what we see and how we want to be seen. 'We're constantly exposed to curated versions of success, which can trigger what we call 'relative deprivation' and fuel an internal race to catch up,' adds Rosenberg. 'Our brains aren't wired for this kind of always-on comparison. Even rest becomes performative – so these social platforms amplify both the extremes of self-care and hustle culture.' @chloeegaynor and I'm LOCCCKKKINNNGGG in. who's locking in too ;) #lockedin #mindset #wellness #fitness #health #sprint #routine ♬ Let it happen by Tame impala - Elldzs★ Chloe admits she's felt this at times. 'I started locking in to build a life I was proud of, one where I didn't have to work myself to total exhaustion. But I've experienced burnout from being too locked in,' she says, explaining this caused her to 'miss out on joy, peace, and time with loved ones.' Now, Chloe makes an effort to carve out time for the things she enjoys day-to-day, as well as long-term. 'I make it a goal to do at least 20 minutes of something I thoroughly enjoy every day,' she points out. 'Even when my schedule is packed, I do my best to stay consistent, and lately I've been more intentional about making plans, taking trips, and allowing myself to feel excitement.' Similarly, Samia says locking in too much triggers feelings of guilt. 'You feel like you're falling behind if you're not productive every minute,' she says. 'I've been there and I'm still trying to find my way around it, but I've learnt to build flexibility into my schedule and to reframe rest as part of the process, not a sign of weakness.' 'Being self-aware is important,' advises Dr Tang. 'If you find your reaction to missing a workout (or whatever your routine is) is out of proportion to the event itself, then you would do well to engage in self-reflection to see if 'motivation' has turned into overly rigid discipline, which may not be healthy.' 'The key is knowing when to push and when to pause,' adds Samia, 'Rest isn't a reward but a requirement,' adds Weirong, who points to the soft life lessons she still holds on to. 'Locking in, for me, is soft life with purpose – it includes rest, but also requires discipline. It's the integration of stillness and structure.' To that end, here's a reminder that purpose doesn't have to be punishing, and peace doesn't mean giving up. Yes, your career might skyrocket during a season of locking in – but if it comes at the cost of your mental health, relationships, or happiness, it's worth asking: success by whose definition? The pursuit of success is seemingly driving the collective shift toward structure, however that looks for individuals). 'When people sense that long-term opportunities – like home ownership or financial freedom – are slipping out of reach, doubling down on discipline offers a sense of agency,' Rosenberg reminds us, adding that by focussing on 'immediate actions' we feel like we can 'shift the long game.' Both the soft life and locking in trends offer that illusion of control, and these social media-friendly frameworks promise fulfilment, even if by different routes. But they risk becoming performative obligations than actual choices. Perhaps, then, we needn't choose a side, but step back from the cycle altogether and accept that a successful life doesn't have to be optimised, aesthetic, or For You Page-approved. A successful life is whatever you make it.
