Anyone who saw Tom Vickery’s run on Strava last February would have raised an eyebrow. His 30-minute sprint, seemingly in the middle of the Channel near Guernsey, was just another day in his nearly four-year running streak. Vickery had risen at 5 am on a ferry to ensure his run continued despite being on the open sea, highlighting the lengths people go to maintain a ‘streak.’
A streak is any activity performed without a break over time, often gamified to make it engaging. Notable streakers include British runner Ron Hill, who ran daily for over 52 years, even after a car accident. Technology has simplified recording and sharing streaks, such as Snapchat’s ‘snapstreak’ and Duolingo’s language-learning streaks, making them part of our daily lexicon.
However, streaks can become consuming. One parent shared that their daughter was ‘addicted’ to her snapstreak, while another was ‘desperate’ to keep their Duolingo streak alive. Gamification expert Kimba Cooper-Martin explains that our love for streaks is tied to loss aversion, where the fear of losing something motivates us more than the prospect of gaining.
Tom Vickery’s streak began during personal hardships. Struggling with motivation, he decided to run 30 minutes daily. This routine persisted through the pandemic, personal upheavals, and extreme workouts like Ironmans and 100-mile bike rides. ‘I’ve got to do it,’ he says, driven by a sense of achievement and purpose.
For Alison Nicholson, her 1,307-day Duolingo streak became monotonous, yet she couldn’t bear to end it, despite finding more benefit in conversing with neighbors. Similarly, Maya Middlemiss, with a 1,541-day journaling streak, finds value in reflecting on past thoughts, even during tough times. Meanwhile, Lisa Ingram went to great lengths, driving out of her village during a power cut to maintain her Wordle streak.
However, obsessive streaking can have negative impacts on wellbeing. Psychotherapist Susie Masterson notes that while streaks can build resilience, they can also reinforce negative beliefs, like feeling ‘not good enough,’ leading to compulsive behaviors. Cooper-Martin suggests reassessing streaks if they cause excessive anxiety or neglect of other life areas.
James Bore battled to end his Duolingo streak. Initially useful, it became an obligation, with app notifications exacerbating his anxiety. Eventually, during a holiday in Paris, he turned off his phone and later uninstalled the app, finding relief in breaking the streak without guilt.
Not all streaks are intentional. Paulomi Debnath’s 18-year streak of kissing her husband daily before work was a happy habit rather than a conscious streak. Masterson advises reflecting on the benefits and impacts of such routines.
Vickery, while benefiting mentally from his streak, acknowledges it isn’t always advisable. Running every day without rest defies conventional training wisdom, but his lifestyle allows for this commitment. His main worry? Finding ways to continue running streaks during long flights. Ultimately, he hopes to end his streak on his terms, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Streaks can offer a sense of control and achievement, but it’s important to ensure they enhance rather than dominate life. As Cooper-Martin aptly puts it, ‘Streaks are tools meant to serve you, not control you.’
Streaks, whether intentional or accidental, can enrich lives by providing structure and motivation. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance, ensuring they serve as positive tools rather than unhealthy obsessions. As seen through various experiences, the fine line between habit and compulsion requires careful navigation to maintain wellbeing and personal fulfillment.
Source: Theguardian