How to Lock In Your Best Self This Fall

Wellness, Workouts, and Energy for the Season

Summer’s behind us, and suddenly there are just three months left in the year. You can look at it two ways: only three months left or still three months left. It’s all about perspective.

You’ve probably seen the “lock-in” videos popping up on TikTok or Instagram: early alarms, meal prepping, skipping plans on purpose. At its core, this trend isn’t about restriction, it’s about intention. It’s about choosing how you want to feel, what you want to focus on, and starting now instead of waiting for January resolutions.

Fall gives us the perfect chance to make the most of it. The shorter days and cooler weather create a natural pause, almost like a personal wellness hibernation. A time to slow down, reflect, and strengthen your routines so you head into the holidays grounded and into the new year already ahead of the game.

What Wellness Hibernation Really Means

First of all: this is not about perfecting yourself or forcing habits that don’t feel natural. It’s about building intentional routines that actually stick and make your days flow better. Think of it as creating your own version of a “lock-in”, something that feels good and doable.

Here are some ways I’ve been locking in this fall, and ideas you can try too:

Morning rituals

I always start with a big glass of water before I even think about matcha. If the sun is out, I’ll step outside for 5–10 minutes, even if it’s just on my balcony. That little bit of light resets my energy and keeps my sleep on track. Some mornings I’ll add a short meditation, a few minutes of breathwork, or put on a wellness podcast while I get ready. It’s such an easy way to set the tone for the day. The more you do it, the more you crave it. I promise!

Move your body daily, even in small ways

You don’t need a 90-minute workout to feel good. I try to move in small bursts throughout the day: standing up every hour, stretching while my tea is steeping, or walking to grab groceries instead of driving. When I want something more intentional, I’ll do a 15–30 minute Pilates flow or a quick stretch. If you’re looking for inspiration, I’d start with these from the library:

• Quick Stress Release
• Morning Flow
• 20 Min Express Pilates
• Energetic Pilates

Plan meals intentionally

I’ve found that prepping a few staples at the start of the week - like roasted veggies, quinoa, or a big salad base -saves me from reaching for random snacks or ordering out. This season, I’m also cutting back on sugar and alcohol a bit, and I notice such a difference in my focus and mood.

Self-care & micro-habits

For me, it’s the little rituals that make a big difference: a cold face plunge in the morning, gua sha at night, or simply lighting a candle while I stretch. On the flip side, I’ve been working on breaking one unhelpful habit at a time—like scrolling in bed—which has felt like a huge win.

Reflect and track progress

At night, I scribble down what worked that day, what I’d like to shift tomorrow, and my top three priorities. It takes less than five minutes but helps me feel more grounded and organized.

Optimize your sleep

Lately, I’ve been trying to put my phone away by 8:30 pm (not always perfect, but progress counts). Instead, I’ll read, stretch, or do a short meditation. It makes such a difference in how rested I feel.

Your version of a wellness hibernation will look different than mine, and that’s the point. This isn’t about restriction or doing things “perfectly.” For me, it’s about committing to morning workouts, prioritizing sleep, and finishing my daily task list so I don’t carry things into the next day. For you, it might be something completely different. The goal is the same: feeling more grounded, more energized, and more in control as we head into the holidays.

My Lock-In Guide: How to Start and Stick With It

Here’s how to make your own fall reset:

1. Pick Your Focus
   • Choose one or two areas you want to focus on like fitness, nutrition, or mental clarity and COMMIT.
   • Ask yourself: If I only did one thing for the rest of the year to feel better, what would it be? That’s your focus.
2. Build Small, Actionable Routines
   • Morning: Hydrate, morning icing on your face/gua sha, stretch, or meditate for 5–10 minutes.
   • Daytime: Move your body every hour. Walk, stretch, do a few bodyweight moves. Like calf raises at your desk, a 2-min stretch break, or walking up and down the stairs.
   • Evening: Screen-free wind-down, skincare routine/face massage, reading, or a warm tea.
3. Protect Your Energy
   • Say no to things that don’t serve your goals. Cancel unnecessary social obligations you’re not up for or late-night scrolling.
4. Incorporate More Joy
   • Cozy walks in the early morning crisp air, sipping warm tea, lighting a favorite fall candle, or prepping a nourishing fall soup.
5. Track Progress and Adjust
   • Reflection is key. Keep track on your phone can help you see your daily wins and where you can improve next.
   • Adjust routines, if needed. What works for you now may change next week.

Final Thoughts

Locking in isn’t about saying no to everything and hiding away until January. It’s about intentional choices for the long run. Build routines that work for you this fall and carry them into the new year. Small, consistent steps, like moving your body, protecting your energy and peace, and prioritizing sleep, will compound into real growth.