It was just like any other day: rotting in bed, doom scrolling on TikTok with one sock on. Then, as if the algorithm itself sensed the existential dread looming, she appeared. Kim Chaewon. Eyes filled with purpose. And then, she said it. Five syllables. Five words. That was it. But Chaewon didn't just offer advice, she issued a divine mandate. Motivation? No. This was transcendent obligation. Moses had his tablets, Chaewon has her aura. This sentence wasn't just any imperative clause. It's a mindset. A lifestyle.
"You have to lock in."
Chaewon 🫡
Her word's hit with the weight of a TED talk. I didn't just hear her words. I felt them. Somewhere deep in my soul, a version of myself wrapped up their half-eaten bag on Cheetos, wiped the orange dust from their fingers, and slowly whispered, "She's right."
Let's be honest, most motivational quotes are bloated with fluff. "Reach for the stars?" Please, I'm 5' 4". "Live, laugh, love?" Not when a Subway footlong is $18. But "You have to lock in?" That's tactical, blunt wisdom.
Locking in doesn't mean you have to suddenly wake up at 5 a.m., log your 10K run on Strava, and journal your gratitude before sunrise. It's not always a dramatic life overhaul, but rather a series of tiny, almost pathetic wins stacked on top of each other. Chaewon said "lock in." Present tense. Ongoing. Daily. Slightly sweaty.
Since hearing her words, I've locked in and:
Got in bed earlier (didn't sleep earlier but the intention counts)
Restarted my Japanese Duolingo streak (こんにちは, fine shyt)
Upped my effort when we're down in volleyball (we still get swept)
Lost 10 lbs (gained most of it back but surely I can do it again right?)
Chipped my tooth (I was too locked in to that chicken and bit into a fork)
Grinded LeetCode to acquire employment (I have imposter syndrome at work)
Thank you, Chaewon, for delivering the call to action we never knew we needed. The beauty of her message is that you can interpret it however your heart desires. For you, it could mean buying a $6 coffee to get in the zone, and with girl math that coffee inspired you to open your laptop, so it paid for itself in vibes. The actions may look different, but the energy is universal.
So the next time you're overwhelmed or unmotivated, remember her words and lock in. Lock in like if your projects are due tomorrow. Lock in like if you woke up late and only have a few minutes to catch the bus. Lock in like if Chaewon is watching you from the corner of the room. Because deep down, you know it's time. If Chaewon believes in you, who are you to argue?