I wish someone would publish a study to determine if there’s a correlation between devotion to a streak, like Duolingo and Wordle streaks, and devotion to a relationship. There’s something tenacious about staying awake just a little later to do the Wordle before the puzzle refreshes at midnight. The same thing goes for a three year streak practicing a language daily.
When the Wordle stumps people and they break a long record of 208 successful puzzles, it really seems to crush them, (if just for a day). This is the same type of person I imagine not going to bed angry at their spouse, forgiving their partner for a short fling, or compromising more than 50% in order to keep peace in a relationship.
On the other hand, there are people who aren’t fazed by breaking a long Duolingo streak. They don’t miss a beat and go on with their lives. They forget all too easily the dedication that went into attaining their amazing run. They start all over again the next day with an upbeat attitude.
This group of people might approach the vicissitudes of their romantic relationships in the same way. If a spouse wants to call it quits after twenty years together, their partner might rationalize, “OK, I like the new guy at work anyway. Let’s split everything 50/50.” This kind of person never has regrets, and nostalgia is a foreign concept. They live only in the present, ready to move forward in their lives. They don’t seem to have access to all the memories that should make them vow, “I’m going to fight to keep this person. We’ve come too far to give up so easily.”
Are the streak devotees better people than those apathetic about their records? I think it would be ideal to have a combo of these traits. Fight hard for your streak or your wife, but if it doesn’t work out, don’t tie yourself in knots over it. There will always be another puzzle to tackle, and maybe another partner is just waiting for you to come along.
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