From the Front Porch: Seasonal Sparks
Hello from the front porch, sweet friends, and welcome to the Seasonal Sparks edition of this weekly series.
Thanks so much for spending time with us today.
How has your week been?
If you’ve been on social media or YouTube lately, you’ve likely seen the buzz around The Great Lock In.
The Great Lock In is a trend started by creator @shmeat27 on TikTok that’s gone completely viral.
If you’re unfamiliar with this concept, The Great Lock In is built around committing to a task, goal, or activity from now until the end of the year.
And as the name suggests, the idea is to cross off your 2026 goals and to get your life in order before 2027 by becoming hyper-focused and locking in.
What I love about this idea is that it’s completely customizable based on your schedule and lifestyle.
I also love that it not only motivates us to set goals and maintain our routines, but it also encourages us to finish goals we’ve been working on this year.
So, I wanted to share how you can quickly create a lock-in plan of your own with these simple steps…
*Review the goals you’re currently working on.
*Choose the 1-3 goals that are most important to you. Then let the rest go. Fewer goals allow you to be more focused on what really matters. It also allows for flexibility during the holiday hustle. If you’re having trouble narrowing down your goals, ask yourself which of the goals on your list you would be most disappointed about not finishing or acting on come December 31.
*Break your goals into tiny tasks and create a daily or weekly timeline you plan to achieve them.
*Create systems and routines around those tasks. You’ll be more likely to achieve the goals you set the easier they fold into your daily life.
*Create a personal challenge. I like to break mine up into themed 30-day segments.
*Find an accountability partner that will help you stay focused during the times you don’t feel motivated.
*Monitor and track your progress.
*Celebrate your wins.
*Analyze your performance, evaluate your results, and adapt to necessary changes each week.
The last few months of the year are always the busiest, so consider the energy you currently have, not the energy you think you should have, and allow yourself to set realistic goals.
As always, I’ll be cheering you on.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts From Around the Web This Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- This home from the design team at Chango is filled with lots of beautiful spaces.
- If you love interiors that have a California chic vibe, you’ll love this home tour.
- This hidden cottage in Notting Hill is every writer’s dream. (via House & Garden UK)
- Speaking of writers’ dream, have you seen inside the Practical Magic House via AD on Instagram yet?
- This design trend sounds perfect for cozy season (via House Beautiful)
- Wait until you see this multi-season planter from Garden Gate Magazine. It completely changes the look of the house!
Seasonal Inspiration:
- Anna from Sky Lark House shared a post on 5 Easy Fall Crafts for Your Home and was so sweet to include my pumpkins. I love her craft ideas because they’re simple, budget-friendly, and don’t take a lot of time to create, which is exactly what we need in this season of life.
- Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse made a Pottery Barn-inspired Leaf Tray, and it’s spot on.
- If you love true fall colors saturated with oranges and greens and deep browns, don’t miss these gorgeous tablescape ideas from Home Is Where The Boat Is. They’re beautiful!
- Excited to try this no-sew blanket idea from Ella Claire & Co.
- These Fall Printables from Handmade Farmhouse are all perfectly cozy and free.
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- This post with tips from a longevity doctor via The Good Trade was fascinating.
- Foods That Naturally Lower Cortisol (via Vogue)
- 15 Things You Need to Focus on Less to Get Ahead Today (via Marc and Angel)
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- The Most Popular Nail Polish Colors (via The Everygirl)
- 10 Iconic Paris Fall Outifts (via My Chic Obsession)
- 15 Destinations to See Fall Leaves Change in the South (via Southern Living)
Encouraging Words…
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Simple Systems That Keep Us Organized in Every Season
Organizing an Intentional and Purpose-Filled October
The Last 100 Days… (one of our most popular Encouragement of the Month posts)
Shopping Notes…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
- Button Down Shirt (wrinkle-free, easy to layer, and comes in 28 colors depending on size)
- Earrings (15 different colors and styles to choose from)
- Cropped Cardigan, Similar (16 colors to choose from depending on size; this sweater is cropped and best to wear with high-rise pants or jeans)
- Bracelet Watch (shown in Coffee A, 8 additional colors to choose from)
- Espresso Spoons (have, love, and use multiple times a day)
- Sweater Vest (8 colors to choose from; be sure to check the size chart on this one, you might need to size down)
- Hair Barrettes (2 colors to choose from)
- Pants (16 colors to choose from depending on size and multiple inseam options)
- Quilt Set (love the ruffle detail on this set, gray no longer available but it’s pretty in white too)
- Spoon Rests (have, love and use multiple times a day)
- High-Waisted Cropped Jeans (10 colors to choose from depending on size, raw hem and super easy for game days)
- Leopard Print Flats (updated version linked) (12 colors to choose from depending on size)
- Tray (7 colors to choose from; I gifted the black one and it was a hit)
- Rug (have and love in so many rooms. I’m hoping the longer runner will come in stock soon)
- Espresso Machine (one of my sisters recently purchased this and raves about it)
- Wool Coat (14 colors to choose from depending on size)
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing.
We can’t wait to share even more next week!
Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Another great week Coco. I like the way you styled your shelves. I’m having a hard time finding fall inspiration that doesn’t look like it’s been done 100 times before. I like the Pyrex pumpkins. Keep sending that kind of stuff our way.
I’ve heard that sentiment more than once this year, Bonnie. Keep in mind inspiration can strike in the most unexpected places so think about where you fee most inspired and spend some time there be it a bookstore, a hike or at your favorite mall. In the meantime, I’ll keep looking for festive pumpkins and Fall ideas. On a side note, if you haven’t seen Country Living’s October issue, it’s a good one. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo, I always look forward to getting The Front Porch in my inbox. It’s like getting a favorite magazine, but I actually read this one. 😉 Thank you for all the time you spend pulling it together.
I love the idea of the Great Lock In. I’ve been thinking I need to do something like this, since I haven’t visited my goals in a while. (Ahem.)
This week, my favorite link is the Notting Hill hidden cottage (so many special things!) and as always, the Shopping Notes.
Thanks again, and have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
LeAnne
Coco
Thank you for your continued support and for sharing my Pottery Barn dupe. I appreciate you more than I can express. Have a blessed day.
Thanks for sharing about the Great Lock In (I had not heard of it). What an excellent way to achieve your goals before the end of the year! Thanks for sharing so many informative links! I miss seeing the leaves change color, so I especially liked destinations to see fall color in the south! Have a wonderful week!