Latest news with #Hali
Refinery29
20 hours ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Guys trust me" - Tyrese Haliburton talks about the final moments of Pacers' shocking Game 1 win vs. Thunder
"Guys trust me" - Tyrese Haliburton talks about the final moments of Pacers' shocking Game 1 win vs. Thunder originally appeared on Basketball Network. There's a new king when it comes to clutch shotmaking and his name is Tyrese Haliburton. In Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, he delivered his best one yet, sinking a jumper from the right wing with less than a second remaining to give the Indiana Pacers a stunning 111-110 win over the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement The game-winning basket was Hali's third in what has been a magical postseason for the Pacers. Seconds after his team broke up the Thunder's last offensive possession, Tyrese explained what went into their last offensive possession. Pacers didn't call a timeout As Aaron Nesmith hauled down the rebound after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed a midrange jumper, the Pacers had a chance to call a timeout to set up a play. However, Rick Carlisle opted to let his players, Hali in particular, take control of the game. "Coach trusts us in those moments to not call timeouts, trusts me in those moments. Guys trust me. And I'm just trying to make a play," Tyrese told Lisa Salters after the game. "So — man — basketball's fun, man. Winning is fun. That's a great win for us." Advertisement The Thunder still had one possession to alter the game's result. However, Myles Turner ruined OKC's plans by tipping the ball away — a play that wasn't lost on the All-Star guard. "Big-time play. Myles did a great job at the rim. They tried to do a pin-down to get him out of the action so they could throw the lob. Myles got around it; good tip," Hali said. While Haliburton had 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, five other Pacers scored in double-figures. Pascal Siakam led the team with 19, Turner had 15, Andrew Nembhard added 14, while Nesmith pitched in 10. Obi Toppin also came off the bench and scored 17 points. "It's a total team effort. We had so many guys chip in — Obi was huge off the bench, Myles in the fourth, Andrew Nembhard in the fourth. So many guys stepped up, and I'm just really proud of this group," the two-time All-Star said. "We just had to figure out how to win in so many different ways — all year, the past two years. There's so many weird, different ways, and we just figured it out. We're a resilient group. And I'm just really proud of this group." Advertisement Related: Fred VanVleet once revealed all the ways the Raptors tried to convince Kawhi Leonard to stay: "There is nothing more that we can do" Pacers are not fazed by the moment The Pacers are no strangers to making late-game comebacks. However, their latest escape act on Thursday was their most impressive, as it tied for the largest fourth-quarter comeback in the last half-century. Although many players contributed to the win, it was Hali's high-arcing jumper that ultimately secured the victory. "When I got off the bus, when I put on my shoes, I mean, there was never a disbelief as a group, honestly," Haliburton said. "They have a lot of confidence in me to make that shot. I don't know what you say about it, I just know that this group is a resilient group and we don't give up until there is zero on the clock." Advertisement Siakam chimed in, saying that when he handed the ball off to Tyrese as the seconds wound down, he had complete confidence in his guard to make the correct play. "I was just trying to look for him, find him. We trust him in those situations to make the right play. Today it was a shot, and he made it. But he can also make the pass — he can do anything. So I had 100 percent confidence in him," the All-Star forward said. Indiana drew first blood in the NBA Finals, an unexpected blow to OKC's seemingly impenetrable armor. With Game 2 looming, it will be interesting to see what the next page in this thrilling chapter holds. Related: "They teach you that lesson more than anybody else in the league the hard way" - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to shocking Game 1 loss vs. Pacers This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I think Indiana wins Game 3"- Isiah Thomas issues bold prediction as the 2025 NBA Finals shift to "The Hoosier State"
"I think Indiana wins Game 3"- Isiah Thomas issues bold prediction as the 2025 NBA Finals shift to "The Hoosier State" originally appeared on Basketball Network. The Indiana Pacers have certainly been the biggest surprise of the 2025 Playoffs. Not remotely considered championship contenders, Coach Rick Carlisle and his crew made history, with the franchise clinching its first Finals appearance since 2000. Advertisement Voted as the most overrated player, Tyrese Haliburton responded in the best way possible. Letting his game do all the talking, the 25-year-old sent the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson back home empty-handed. What has stood out the most about Hali lately is his clutch performance. After stunning the Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden, the Iowa State product stole Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, sinking a game-winning jumper that gave his team the first and only lead of the game. Never one to shy away from the moment, the OKC Thunder answered in dominant fashion. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they cruised past the Pacers to tie the series at 1-1. As the battle heads to Indiana's Gainbridge Fieldhouse, former Pistons great turned analyst Isiah Thomas backed Haliburton and company to take control, especially in Game 3. "Game 3 is the most important game in the series. Game 3 is where you get momentum at, and I see Indiana winning Game 3 at home and forcing to perform in a Game 4, or OKC is got to win a Game 5 to stretch it to Game 6. I think Indiana goes home; they know how important Game 3 is. I think Indiana wins Game 3," predicted "Zeke," who is widely regarded as a Top 5 point guard of all time. Will home-court advantage enable the Pacers to regain the lead? As the Finals shift to Indiana for Games 3 and 4, one can expect a loud and energetic crowd at their home gym in what is also their first Finals appearance in over 25 years. The Pacers will look to maximize the situation, especially with the Thunder losing the home-court advantage after the Game 1 stunner. Advertisement At home, the Pacers stand at 29-12 during the 2024-25 regular season and 6-2 in the playoffs. Thus, the odds are in its favor for the next two games of the Finals. Still, the Thunder hold a respectable 4-3 record on the road this postseason, making it entirely likely for them to get their Game 1 payback — whether in Game 3, Game 4, or perhaps both. What adds even more intrigue is the elite-level defense that Mark Daigneault and his squad continue to hang their hats on. Related: "Dad, you at 17, me at 17, who was better? I said, 'Listen, son...'" - Dominique Wilkins on the moment he realized his son didn't know how great of a player he was Where did the Pacers go wrong in Game 2? The plan to double-team Hali seems to have produced favorable results in Game 2, given the two-time All-Star was limited to 17 points with five turnovers. Reigning ECF MVP Pascal Siakam had a rough night, going 3-for-11 from the field and finishing with 15 points. Outrebounded both offensively and defensively, the Pacers didn't have a great shooting night from the field. Advertisement OKC came out unstoppable, leaving no stone unturned this time around. The Big 3 of Shai, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren had an impressive outing. Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins stepped up off the bench, combining to shoot an impressive 9-of-16 from beyond the arc. And while the Thunder may be the deeper, more complete team on paper, they still have gaps to tighten if they plan on finishing this run with a title. That's exactly why Isiah picks Indiana to steal Game 3 and take control of the series. Related: Dwyane Wade shares why Rick Carlisle should get more recognition for the Pacers' success: "I give a lot of credit to the leader over there" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
30-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch George Karlaftis' offseason martial arts training with Chiefs legend Tamba Hali
Watch George Karlaftis' offseason martial arts training with Chiefs legend Tamba Hali The Kansas City Chiefs will aim to secure their place in a fourth consecutive Super Bowl next season, and one of the team's up-and-coming pass-rushers is putting in extra work to bring a new edge to the field in 2025. Recently, star defensive lineman George Karlaftis was seen practicing martial arts under the tutelage of Chiefs legend Tamba Hali in a video that made the rounds on social media. Hali, who became one of the NFL's most accomplished sack-masters during his 12-year tenure in Kansas City, can be seen observing Karlaftis' progress while the former Purdue Boilermaker spars with a partner identified as Dave Smarr. Take a look at the full clip of Karlaftis' training with Hali below: While the clip showed Karlaftis' progress with ground technique — which might not seem like it would translate directly to his role on the gridiron — the former first-round pick is also sure to be developing his hand-flighting abilities and agility under Hali's supervision.
