The Court Of Curiosity

I started The Great Lock-In because I was exhausted of my own bullshit. Exhausted from dreaming and doing nothing. Exhausted from rewatching shows and doomscrolling while time went by. I was miserable and was constantly complaining about how I hated where my life was heading to. How could I say I wanted to be active when I wasn’t being consistent with any movement or eating well? How could I want to look and feel my best when I wasn’t taking care of myself?

The truth was, I was lazy and had no trust in myself. I needed a change that would stick. I was desperate and wasn’t willing to give up.

So, I made a decision. For roughly 17 weeks, I devoted myself to four pillars under one mantra: “Consistency over intensity. Progress over perfection.” This was my season of focus. Here’s what happened:

🏆 The Pillars: Revisited

Career & Business: My wonderful failure 😀

My goal was consistency in a side hustle. By the numbers, I failed. I didn’t sell anything. I made a free planner and then fell off.

At first I felt so guilty about it. I had all these plans that would work for me and nothing really did. I wasn’t hesitating because I was giving up, I realized that I don’t want to sell things for the only purpose of making money. I want to make things that people will find value in and that could genuinely help them. I’m proud of the planner I made, and I now I have something to move on from in a way that feels authentic to me. As I grow, this part of my life will also grow with me.

Health & Physique: Gym Baddie 🥵

This was my resounding success. I downloaded the Ladder app and I’ve been sticking to it for the last 13 weeks so far. I got stronger. I lost weight and body fat. I prioritized fiber, protein, and water.

The goal was to build foundational habits, and I did. I feel better, I have routines that I love and most importantly, the way I see my body has changed and I love taking care of it. I love the journey that I’m on and look forward to continuing to take care of my body and take control of my health.

Personal Development: The Unexpected Turn

This started as “consistent creative exploration” and it morphed into a complete mindset shift. When I began, self-doubt was my worst enemy. I cared so much about what I thought other people were thinking. Now, I still have self doubt but it’s like background noise. I still get things done because of the self-trust I built by simply doing the things I say I’ll do.

All those small ‘overwhelming’ projects that I’ve put off for years don’t feel as daunting. I’ve been slowly chipping away at them and I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I raised my own standards, and it’s been surprisingly fun to live up to them.

Self-Care: Redefining the relationship with myself

For self care, everything felt like a chore for me. I wanted to take the time that I needed to truly feel my best. I wanted to care for my own needs in the same way that I was willing to care for others. It’s washing my hair consistently and having a solid moisturizing routine. It’s doing my skincare and actually looking at my own face in the mirror—seeing myself and not just glancing. I learned that I usually avoid my own reflection and I honestly don’t have time for that anymore. I am worth all the time it takes to properly take care of myself and I’m going to continue doing this as a form of respect and love for myself.

💡 The Real Takeaway: The goals never really mattered

This experiment was never about selling a planner or hitting a specific weight. It was about one thing: rebuilding trust with myself.

Showing up for these weekly check-ins, through good weeks and hard ones, was the practice. It proved to me, week after week, that I could be accountable to myself. That missing piece of self-trust has been restored.

The Great Lock-In is over, but the person it built is just getting started. I’m entering whatever era that comes next with proven habits and a kinder inner voice. I have all the evidence I need to know that I can show up for myself and I’m so happy about that.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for following along on this journey. Your support meant the world.

I love you.
Courtney.