Reset Season: ‘Beyond the Mat’ Host Bryony Deery on TikTok’s ‘the Great Lock In’ September Trend

September always sneaks up with a different kind of energy. After months of summer chaos—long weekends, last-minute trips, and routines gone off the rails—suddenly the air feels sharper and the days get shorter. For many, it feels like a natural pivot point, almost like a bonus New Year’s Day in the middle of the calendar year.

That’s the vibe Pilates teacher and host Bryony Deery leans into on her latest episode of Beyond the Mat. With her assistant, Sarah Lamaison, she frames September as a chance to reset—with small, intentional shifts that add up over time. As Deery explains, “There’s just something about it which brings about this, like, back-to-school energy, where it just feels quite exciting to go all in. Almost like a mini-January.”

That idea doesn’t just live in the wellness world. Across social media, Gen Z has branded the same feeling as “The Great Lock In,” a viral trend that’s taken off in recent weeks, per Fast Company. Unintentionally coined from an August post by TikTok creator @shmeat27, the term reflects a seasonal commitment to hyperfocus: locking in on goals, self-improvement, and discipline from now until the year ends.

September is a chance to reset

Deery makes it clear that September doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. In fact, she notes how the transition from carefree summer to structured fall helps anchor new routines. “It really is crunch time, isn’t it? We can’t be messing around in Q4. Stop messing around,” she says with a laugh.

Lamaison adds her own reflection, pointing out that the year isn’t lost just because the calendar is winding down: “I kind of feel like September is a time where you’ve still got enough time to make a difference, but you’ve had all this year, and I’m a big reflector.” That balance—of looking back and still having space to look forward—sets September apart from other points in the year.

It’s a similar mindset fueling “The Great Lock In” trend, where users describe feeling “a restlessness in your soul that knows something is shifting.” The overlap is striking: Whether you’re listening to a wellness podcast or scrolling X, the cultural consensus is that September is the season of discipline.

Why intention matters in September

The theme of the episode circles back to being intentional. Deery stresses that “your word of this month—whatever it is that your goal is—should be intentional.” That means avoiding autopilot and instead choosing deliberately, whether that’s starting a morning walk, nailing a breakfast routine, or finally tackling finances.

That intentionality also extends to the why behind each choice. Deery reminds listeners that a meaningful motivation keeps habits sustainable. “My biggest tip is to, with all this health and wellness stuff, find a why that is non-aesthetic,” she explains. For her personally, preparing for motherhood has been the anchor. “My bigger ‘why’ is to prepare for this birth, and to prepare for my postpartum journey, which I want to make easier on myself and easier on the baby and everyone around me,” she explains.

That same principle runs underneath “The Great Lock In.” The trend may look like another viral hashtag. Still, it’s ultimately about giving people a reason to recommit to their own priorities—whether that’s financial stability, career goals, or health.

Building momentum with small changes

Not every September reset requires an overhaul. Sometimes it’s about stacking small wins. Lamaison highlights how even the basics changed her energy: “I’ve really nailed my evening routine, if I have to be honest with you. Yep. And my morning routine.” That includes simple choices like consistent walks and making breakfast instead of skipping it.

The effect of those seemingly minor habits is powerful. As Deery reflects, “Even just the act of making time for breakfast in the morning for yourself sets the tone. It’s like, this is my priority. My nutrition, my health, my hormones. That’s my priority.”

Redefining rest as part of the reset

Of course, not every day will be perfect, and that’s where Deery and Lamaison suggest reframing so-called “off days.” Instead of treating them as failures, they encourage embracing them as intentional recovery. “Why don’t we make those days intentional? Today isn’t my day to do everything. Today is my rest and recovery day,” Deery explains.

By romanticizing downtime—whether through stretching, meditation, or even a bath—you avoid the guilt spiral and stay aligned with your September goals. And that, too, echoes “The Great Lock In” ethos. Online, creators joke about “slacking all summer” and then using the fall to go harder. Still, both perspectives acknowledge the need for balance. Locking in doesn’t mean burning out; it means structuring both work and rest with intention.

September doesn’t need to be a pressure cooker. It can be an empowering opportunity to set the tone for the last quarter of the year. Whether it’s fitness, finances, or lifestyle tweaks, the invitation is to lean into that “mini-January” energy and decide what matters most.

Read Next

• Kristin Cavallari Explores the Fantasy of Birth Plans & the Reality of Childbirth on ‘Let’s Be Honest’
• Your Truth, Your Timing: Lessons on Safe Sharing From ‘Dear Gabby’
• Is Peaking in High School the Worst Thing for Your Future?