Complacency:
a feeling of being satisfied with how things are
and not wanting to try to make them better.
Complacency is probably one word I would not associate with running. Although I sometimes feel satisfied with my effort after a long run or tough race, I'm never completely content. Even if I set a new personal record, that little thought will eventually sneak into my brain, "Couldn't you have tried a little bit harder?" Or sometimes I just simply think, "OK--what's next?" I'm not one to linger.
When I look back at my accomplishments, I admit I feel a sense of pride. {Holy cow, I did that?} I'm pleased with how far I've come; my growth. But that certainly doesn't mean I'm going to stop striving, working, and pushing. Yes, I will always want more!
More endurance
More miles
More speed
More races
More challenges
More destinations
More endorphins
More fun
More life
More endorphins
More fun
More life
It would be great to be complacent at home too. No cleaning. No laundry. No cooking. No bills. No drama. No illness. No injury! No always trying to make it better or fix it. Ahh...wouldn't it be heavenly to feel like Mini pictured above?
...to eat until your belly is full
...to lie on your back in pure satisfaction
...to have someone scratch your belly
...to be content without care in the world
Do you have complacency in your life?
I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.
Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers. It's fun!
I feel complacent in my day job...for a long time I was all about career progression and thinking about the next thing. However, I like where I live now and I like my job enough (not much travel) that I'm fairly content to keep things as is (and preferring not to get that next big opportunity if it would mean a 6th move...there's only so much of that I can take).
ReplyDeleteI think we all get into places with our careers where we just say "Whoa, it's not worth it anymore." I can certainly understand why you wouldn't want to move for the 6th time. Ugh.
DeleteI'm with you both there ! Enough corporate ladder and sacrificing personal life for my job. Been there. Done that. I have a great career and love my job but am not ambitious like I was 10 years ago. There are things in life that are more important.
DeleteI'm with you on never wanting to see another corporate ladder.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty as charged too on minimizing my own accomplishments. I distinctly remember getting my first BQ and saying to myself "that must not be a very difficult thing to achieve." In hindsight I feel differently.
LOL. I'm not sure I would ever think THAT, but I get where you are coming from. I never give myself time to reflect on or enjoy an accomplishment. On to the next one...
DeleteBelieve it or not, even in medicine, I see complacency. Physicians and nurses doing things the same as they always have, even though there are new and better ways of managing things. Dangerous, right?
ReplyDeleteRunners aren't normally complacent. I see you getting after it, even injured! That pool running? You're going to do great once you're healed!
That's scary, Wendy! I appreciate the kind words about the pool running. It.is.tough. Go away stupid foot injury!
DeleteWell, I did retire very young. And I love it. Even if it means I can't afford as much retail therapy as I'd like. OTOH, no matter how much we made, I probably couldn't afford as much retail therapy as I'd like.
ReplyDeleteI'm really not very complacent about much in my life, though. I like changing things up. Sort of. Some changes definitely aren't fun.
It's definitely true, you spend what you make (or more!). There are certain things I don't want to change, you know? I certainly don't want to age and have body aches. Alas, we have no choice in the matter.
DeleteNot one ounce of complacency in my vocabulary. You definitely are a Type A personality and I don't think complacency is part of the makeup. I'm in the same boat..... despite meeting my A goal on Sunday, I am already focused on my next race and goals.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxiously awaiting to read your race recap! On to the next thing...I totally get it Pam!
DeleteI was never complacent in my first 2 jobs. Now as I approach retirement, I try to relax and not get stressed but I don't think complacency is part of my nature. Even in running, I always want to get faster. When I play tennis, I want to win. Now that I ma more focused on running, I quit all my teams and now TRY to play for fun. Not about exercising and stretching, there is my complacency.
ReplyDeleteI'll agree about the exercising (weight training) and stretching. I complacent doing none of it. LOL. Even though I know if would probably help me. Weird, I know.
DeleteI reckon my job would be the most complacent part of my life. I'm at a small firm, the only female and I'm the hub. I wear many hats and most of the time I get done what I need too, when I need too no problem. I make decent money, could I make more somewhere else, why yes, would I have the freedom to do my job how I please? Probably not. There isn't any ladder to go up. I'm right where I can be and I'm good with that. Great post!
ReplyDeleteMy husband's favorite phrase "I reckon...". LOL. I learned long ago that it means "yes" in his world. Being able to have freedom with a job is very important. It's not always about the money. That tends to come with a lot of responsibility and stress anyway.
DeleteComplacency - I agree - not something I'd really associate with running! And I'm totally using the phrase closer-to-retirement-than-not today!!
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to be closer-to-retirement-than-not every day!
DeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE!!! No, I don't think complacency is a bad thing! It is probably one of the qualities I most wish I had. Not that I want to be content with sitting on my butt and achieving nothing, I guess you need a balance.
ReplyDeleteLove this quote: "It would be great to be complacent at home too. No cleaning. No laundry. No cooking. No bills. No drama. No illness. No injury!" If only....
It is about balance. We've got to find complacency somewhere or else we'd all go a little crazy I think. A girl can dream...about being complacent at home.
Deleteyep... it fits in so many places but not really in running - a place where its always a push to be better then your self :)
ReplyDeleteI think one reason why is it that running is such a accurately measured activity -- miles, pace, HR. You always want to "beat" your times. In other activities (water skiing for example), you don't get as much info. Ignorance is bliss...nay complacency.
DeleteI understand the lack of time. Where does it go? And I am guilty from hopping from one thing to another. But I also tend to get a little crazy when I feel like there's nothing to do - fun wise that is. There's always plenty TO DO. Yes, I need to go through my closet and pack boxes for Goodwill. But I don't want to do that!
ReplyDeleteI've been a little complacent in my running -- just doing things the way I always had. After this season, though, it's time to change that. I'm planning much more strength training and yoga to make sure that the running keeps happening!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had enough discipline for strength training! I don't know why I struggle with the motivation to do that. Even when I know it would help me be a better runner. Kudos!
DeleteI am complacent about cooking and cleaning. But not about my job or running (except about the stretching and strength training - I do neither.)
ReplyDeleteI realized a years ago I didn't want to spend my weekends cleaning house. Why should I do that?
DeletePuppy complacency = the best complacency. Would that we humans could find such bliss...
ReplyDeleteI don't really think of being complacent as a super negative thing, but more of just a "meh" attitude toward something. And yes, wouldn't it be great to have Mini's attitude toward life!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up!
This was a tough word, because I didn't see it being that negative either. But it seems to come with negative connotations.
DeleteI am definitely type A and not complacent about much. Just shifting priorities as I get older !
ReplyDeleteI think I get complacent about certain things when I run out of energy. I just don't want to put for the effort any longer and I'm accepting of situations. They aren't worth my time and attention any longer.
DeleteBTW, LOVE your dog photo. Do you follow the dogist on IG ? or he has come out with a book. Your photo looks a lot like what he does. LOVE seeing the snout up close. Too cute !
ReplyDeleteI'll look that up! I thought this was such a cute picture of her that my youngest son took.
DeleteI don't think I am complacent really about anything except career. Once the kids both got married, we started to realize that we didn't have to do it all. Instead of needing more, we need less. I don't think either of us will ever be complacent with regards to our training though. We are surrounded by the #fitfam for goodness sake and everyone is so awesome! We need to keep pushing forward and improving.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. We will soon be empty nesters too. The focus has already begun to shift as far as the career goes. I still want improvement in running though.
DeleteSuch a cute picture! Complacent has such negative connotations, but I do think I'm satisfied with some things just as they are. If I try to put a lot of focus on a lot if different things, I find that I can't keep all my balls in the air. Some things I just have to be okay with so that I can focus more on other things. BTW, the full definition of the word is a bit different...it goes on to say being satisfied especially when being unaware of an upcoming danger...which changes my perspective and would make me say no!
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree about all the balls in the air. You've got to feel complacent about some things otherwise you'd go crazy. You've got to have balance. I noticed that definition and several other variations of the word. That is why Wednesday Word is so fun. You get to read many different angles. You should try it sometime!
DeleteI hadn't even thought of this in the context of work. I work hard but there are some things I'm complacent about because I just don't have the time/energy to do more.
ReplyDeleteAgree! I think we are more willing to accepting certain things when we run out of the energy required to make a change.
DeleteI often feel exactly the same way about my runs! Now what to do about it? Is it really a bad thing? I have no idea
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily. I think it's the drive that propels us forward.
DeleteGreat post!!
ReplyDeleteIn my post today I talked about my complacency in running. There are so many things in my life that I have become complacent as I thought about it today-i need to change some things for sure!
I think we should have it in some areas of our lives. We need balance. Contentment. If we wanted more and better in every aspect, we'd probably go a little crazy.
DeleteLike you I'm not complacent when it comes to running or hiking or anything active for that matter. I am however complacent when it comes to cooking and cleaning.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. I have better (more fun) things to do with my time!
DeleteIt would be great to be complacent at home--no cooking, laundry, etc. Unfortunately my mind doesn't work like that!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I was definitely dreaming on this one!
DeleteAh, I didn't even think about using the term in the context of work....I think sometime I get complacent to just ride out the rest of the year until January instead of working on new launches, projects, etc but this post def has me reconsidering this!
ReplyDeleteI think it ends up (for me) being an issue of energy, or lack of. If I've spent my time and effort striving for something in specific areas, then there is nothing left for others. Some things you learn to be complacent with.
DeleteWhile I am happy with my current situation career wise, I know this isn't where I am meant to be forever so am always striving for more. Praying some day to catch that break!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I believe you will do just that!
DeleteI was kind of feeling like if I'm not chasing a PR or doing tempo workouts, speed workouts, etc. that meant I was becoming complacent in my running. But your perspective showed me that there are plenty of other aspects to running. As long as I am wanting more (distance, a different experience, fun, etc.) I'm never truly becoming complacent.
ReplyDeleteIt's not always about speed. I think something new is more exciting to me sometimes. A new interesting place to run or a unique race experience. A great destination race is always good!
Delete