The Things We Don't Mean To Care About.

I love a little routine, it makes me feel organised and like I have really got my shit together. I do have to try and be mindful that the little elements I add to my day to day life just enhance it, rather than exhaust it, and that they are simply lovely little things that make me happy. As opposed to something I must action or everyone will die. See previous blog - When Did It Stop Being Fun? for more on that circus.

When Wordle landed on everyone's radar in early 2022 I instantly loved it, I just thought it was so great that it was the same game for all who played and as I have said before I adore a bandwagon. Literally watch me jump on with no shame. I then got Nik involved and at first we would play it together, taking it in turns to guess on each of our phones, then we started making it like a competition. We would do it most days but not regimented as such. Fast forward to June 2022 and one of my friends asked if I had played Connections. Back to the NYT website I went (I hadn’t crossed overly to the app yet) and again, I found myself loving the little hit this few minutes of thinking provided me with.

Late November 2024 I decided that was it, I was ready to make the commitment. It wasn't a conscious decision as such, I just started to play both games everyday. Then I started to include Strands. Then the Mini crossword, then more recently the Midi. Don't talk to me about the "Big One", I think I have managed that a handful of times, and whatever Pips is, I just can't. Letterboxed was involved for a bit, but for me its all about when everyone is doing the same thing. Everyone is getting the same Wordle, Connections, Strands etc. I even went into the Wordle archive at the end of last year and played some old games so my "total games played" number hit 1000 on new years eve, I was dedicated.

So, without fail now, every weekday evening, Nik and I do all those games at the same time, in the same order. It's a lovely little way to switch off together (whilst staring at a small screen and not speaking to each other) then on the weekends we have a coffee in bed and do the same before we start our day. I have also made it clear to him on numerous occasions if I ever end up in a coma then he must continue my legacy and maintain the streak.

This now brings me to Friday 29th May 2026, 549 days later. A lovely evening was planned, we finished work a little early, went home and got ready to go to The Big Town (aka Birmingham.) The trains were cancelled but we didn't care, we were off to the theatre. Two cultured, over tired and uncomfortably warm funeral directors. We had a great dinner at Cherry Reds (like seriously the best chips I have had in forever) and watched two drunk people have a scrap, it was a delight. We took our seats in The Alex to watch The Shawshank Redemption and I felt so smug I had my fan in my handbag (after being humbled so many times fanning myself with a menu in a bar I ordered a bulk lot on Amazon ages ago and now can sit, stroll or dance with a handheld fan whenever I fancy) because it was so, so warm and as beautiful as the theatre is, the seats make Ryan Air feel like Emirates. It's giving "cosy"

After the show (I would give it 4/5. Acting and set were brilliant but I'm not sure it is one of those films that can move to the stage that easily) we walked to the other side of The Big Town and had a drink before getting an Uber home. It had been a wonderfully entertaining evening. Then disaster.

At 12.06am Nik looked at me with fear.

"We forgot to do the games"

My heart sank. I opened the app and straight away hurried to Wordle, as if I was the one with all the answers in Oceans 8. Move Rihanna, I need the electronic device.

I quickly raced through the word guessing process and when all the tiles turned green and the page turned to the stats, there it was. I can't even type it so just look at it.

Current Streak 1.

ONE!!

I spiralled.

I immediately emailed the New York Times and pleaded with them to restore my streak. I explained how important Wordle is to me and this oversight was not a reflection of the loyalty I have for this game. I also attached a screenshot of my Wordle archive activity, showing every day was green except for that one ugly grey date, which was now in the past because in my panic I hadn't realised the game I played at 12.06am was the Saturday game.

Looking back now, it wasn't really the games I became attached to. It was what they represented.

I know deep down this is about more than a Wordle streak, it's about the comfort that routine provided and the little kick of achievement I got while seeing those numbers go up. That whatever was going on in our world, those 10/15 minutes were about focusing on something fun. I find it pretty much impossible to think about financial worries or ill health (not that I really have either but you know, OCD) when my brain is wondering what 5 letter word could start with an M and finish with C. Ironically it's MANIC.

Little habits and routines that we pick up can ground us more than we realise and contribute greatly to our mental well-being. And whether that's journaling, yoga, crocheting or playing a word game, it's the consistency and stability those moments give to us that matters.

Life is so fragile (and yes, I appreciate I'm bringing life as a whole into a piece about a web-based word puzzle) and having something you can maintain and depend upon gives you more relief than you realise.

So no, the breaking of my Wordle streak wasn't that deep, but what it resembles is.

Some people need the gym. Some need to meditate. I need to Wordle.

I am happy to report that after a bit of back and forth with NYTimes.com my streak has now been restored. It now sits at a healthy and proud 551. Shoutout to Michael L. Customer Service Specialist who sorted this out for me, I will dedicate my 2000th game to you.