A flow state (or being in the zone) is a great place to be (details below) – and what fun these puzzles have been. I see why so many people do them. I’m happy that they’re popular again. I haven’t done one in so many years (grade school). This photo above was almost complete – puzzle info in post.

A “flow state” (otherwise known as “being in the zone”) can be achieved when you are focused so intently on something that you don’t give anything else a thought. (I think of it as meditating in a way). You are working on what you’re doing without thoughts of yourself or how well you’re doing at the task at hand. It’s something artists achieve on a daily basis (if you’re lucky) – (Read more about it – fascinating article, HERE)!

Another way to get into this state (quickly, I might add) – Jigsaw Puzzles. I think they came back into fashion during the pandemic. I read about a lot of people doing puzzles. Eh, not for me. I’m not sure what changed, but I woke up one day and instead of spending time on my computer (not much on social media) I wanted to do something different. So I ordered a jigsaw puzzle. When it arrived we dove into it. It was a major challenge since the last time I probably did one I was in grade school. You may not be good at it in the beginning, but like with everything, you exercise that old brain muscle and get busy. It’s so rewarding, and it keeps you constantly searching for the one piece while you keep running into others that might go here or there.

I think we started out talking and then both were so into it there was silence. Silence is golden. Our dog was sleeping happily in his bed on the floor and away we went. What a joy it was! The first puzzle we did (portrait shape) was excellent, a cover of the New Yorker. However, with two people I find the portrait shaped puzzles to be difficult. Mainly because someone (usually me) is working upside down. Where the landscape shape we can work side by side.

The puzzle pictured above is “Helen’s Victorian Kitchen” by deVol Kitchens. Like everything deVol, this puzzle was very high quality. The difficulty level was up there. Puzzle pieces were all cut very similarly, would fit into place (and even line up with the image) but in the end wouldn’t quite work with the next pieces. I think I smelled smoke from thinking so hard. So to me, this one was less in the zone than the others. The other puzzles that we’ve enjoyed so far:

• The New Yorker: “The Piano Lesson” (1,000 piece)
• Vermont Christmas: “Christmas Campers” (500 piece)
• deVOL Kitchens: “Helen’s Victorian Kitchen” (1,000 piece)
• Ravensburger: “Great Outdoors” (we did a quick 300 piece, it was fun to go quickly)

If you do jigsaw puzzles, let me know some of your favorites! I have had an opportunity to work with a few handmade wooden jigsaw by Stave. Wow. (I don’t own one) – they’re incredible!

🧩 Until next time…