Talking about puzzles can illicit very divided opinions from everyone. Some people love them, some people hate them, and some people land more in the I just don’t care position.
Well, no matter where you end up on that spectrum, I am going to tell you about my experience, so my opinion on this won’t be a mystery much longer.
Puzzles weren’t really something that I did too often for much of my life. I think most kids get a cute puzzle at some point while they are growing up to tackle, even if it’s just 10 gigantic pieces.
I have a couple very clear memories of doing puzzles from my childhood. The first one is when my siblings and I would go over to the house right beside us in our farm yard where my two great uncles lived.
We used to do a few different things when we went over there, but one very clear memory for me was the puzzles they let us do that were in tubes. Not the normal puzzle box so they were much more distinctive. I don’t really remember what the puzzles were pictures of, but I absolutely remember the puzzle tubes and really looking forward to when my uncles would let us tackle them.
Another very clear memory is of the two full sized, grown up puzzles of a true Canadian classic. Other countries (cough, cough), have tried to claim this classic series as their own but it’s none other than an iconic Canadian literary classic that has been enjoyed by generation after generation, Anne of Green Gables.
Growing up we had two different Anne of Green Gables puzzles with pictures of the actress Megan Follows in them, who had played the lead in the 1980’s miniseries. Watching AGG was basically a requirement growing up. I enjoyed the miniseries, but I know my Mom was disappointed I didn’t get into the book series. Sorry Mom!
So why am I telling you my history with puzzles? Good question. I promise it’s not just to increase the word count in this blog. Promise!
For a long time I just didn’t have any puzzles and didn’t really do any puzzles. Puzzling can be a bit tricky. You need a large enough space that you can just leave the pieces and be able to come back to it when you have a minute or two. Plus you also need to not live with someone who thinks it’s fun to hide your pieces. We all know someone like that, I am sure.
One of the most successful things I did when I was going through my mental health struggles years ago, was to just do a lot of puzzles. I created a dedicated space where I could just leave it be and come back to it when I could. Many times I would load up a movie to start and soon it would turn into a full movie marathon while I gained ground piece by piece.
I spent much of about a 6 month period going through puzzle after puzzle. At a time when my body and my mind were in crisis, this was an incredible way to relieve stress and give my mind purpose, a goal, success and a reprieve from the difficulty I was going through.
I learned in that difficult time just how much of a powerful tool puzzles were for me and my overall health.
The picture at the top is of an advent calendar I was given a couple years ago from my sister. It was really fun to have a small box of pieces to do every day until Christmas. Great gift.
Now I could go and provide you a bunch of stats, data and health facts that tell you why doing puzzles helped me when I needed help and could help you, but I am not going to. If you actually want to find that out, I am positive you won’t have trouble finding that information online. I just wanted to share my experience with you.
I learned at that time, that for me, this was a wonderful tool in my tool kit to relieve stress and increase my mental health. There have been numerous times since that specific crisis that I have needed this tool to help me again and again.
But make no mistake, I just think puzzles are fun. Yes, I said it. Fun!! Puzzles are fun.
So friend, even if you don’t agree with me that puzzles are fun or a great tool for your health, I pray that you will find something in your life that serves as a replacement that you find fun and good for your health. If you haven’t found something like it, maybe it’s fishing, I pray you keep searching until you do.
Happy puzzling to all you puzzlers!
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Melodee Glassford 