TikTokers look inward with the “I’m stuck with myself” tendency.

Sure you’re stuck, but are you stuck with yourself?

The The “I’m stuck with myself” tendency. on TikTok, users celebrate the act of building themselves instead of focusing on external forces. “Closed” has long been an expression meant to convey an intense level of focus, usually on a task or goal. Self-loathing, then, means paying attention to one’s own needs before those of others, and may focus more on personal fulfillment than physical or economic success.

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The trend began in the fall of 2024 and appears to follow a broader pattern of uplifting self-care and an internal focus rather than being driven by societal or peer expectations.

What is the “I’m Stuck With Me” TikTok Trend?

Starting at the end of October this year, TikTok users started posting videos with the hashtag “#imlockedinwithmyself”. Many of these entries talk about giving up the search for a romantic or sexual partner to focus on self-improvement, self-love, or other goals related to personal health and well-being.

Certain fitness and wellness brand TikTok accounts have already caught on to the new trend, incorporating the theme of self-focus to once again encourage the development of workout routines and the like. Some people also use it to urge users, especially women, to stop sacrificing for others and take care of themselves first.

@islandboy.life which can be difficult to… #imlockedinwithmyself #creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound – island boy life

In general, self-blocking appears to be more closely associated with joy and contentment rather than drive and achievement, or increased self-esteem rather than doing things for other people’s approval.

origins

The oldest video containing the phrase “stuck with me” was posted on September 10, 2024 by TikTok user @halesthoughts. The simple video shows looping footage of a man in black sweats and white sneakers setting up his camera on a sidewalk to film him standing and looking out into the street with a cigarette in his mouth. It plays to the sound of “On Fye” by The Simps.

The caption reads “stuck with myself because people wake up feeling different everyday.” It is not clear exactly what this means, although it is objectively true. Perhaps this TikToker has achieved greater self-awareness of their own fluctuating emotional states, which is key to good mental health. Let’s hope this is it.

“I’m stuck with me” is spreading

The trend and hashtag took off over the next month and became especially popular in the last week or two. On October 21, user @leogirlleoworld posted a video in which she talks about rejecting the advances of an attractive person in favor of focusing on her meditation, her career, the business she’s building, and her sleeve tattoo.

Very often, trends like this will start with a more specific meaning in mind, but will generalize as time goes on and more people apply their own interpretations to the phrase, kind of like a TikTok game of telephone.

They’re also almost guaranteed to be appropriated by all the “motivational” accounts looking for easy views from a trending hashtag.

Examples

@taniesha.nene.king2.0 I’m stuck with me right now! Loving me more! #fyp ♬ original sound – Taniesha Dudley

@soulties938 I’m stuck with me #creatorsearchinsights #self love #blocked ♬ original sound – souls

@kellydiamonique I started romanticizing my life and bought my own ring. I’m stuck with me#self love #selfcare #healing #pandorajewelry #fyp #pentruyopagina ♬ original sound – Kaila Jenice

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