Jigsaw puzzling can be relaxing and challenging at the same time. One moment it’s going great, the next you’re stuck in one place. To help you have a more enjoyable puzzling experience, we’ve put together five simple but effective tips that will make solving jigsaw puzzles easier – and a little bit smarter.
1. Start with a frame
A true puzzle enthusiast knows that the frame is the basis of everything. The edge pieces have one straight side, which makes them the easiest to recognize. Assembling the frame creates a structure that is easier to navigate. Sort the edge pieces separately before you start. Some people have a system: e.g. left edge, right edge, top and bottom.
2. Sort by colour and pattern
There’s no point in starting a jigsaw puzzle by just fitting random pieces together. A successful puzzler will sort the pieces by colour, pattern or motif, for example:
- red mushrooms
- green leaves
- animal body parts
- geometric lines
This helps to maintain focus and reduces search time.
3. Use small “sub-projects”
If the puzzle feels too big and complex, focus on smaller objects and areas in isolation. Try first to put together an animal, a house, a distinctive pattern, etc. Assemble these areas separately outside the main frame and move them to a suitable location later. This will keep motivation up and create successive small successes.
4. Take breaks – don’t push through
Solving the puzzle is not a race. Unless it’s a championship :). If you feel that nothing is moving, take a 10-15 minute break. Often miracles happen – when you come back, you’ll immediately see the pieces you missed before.
Tip: Adding music in the background or making a nice cup of tea will make the process more enjoyable and help create a ritual of jiggling that makes it more likely to enter a state of ‘flow’.
5. It’s easier and more fun together
With two or more pairs of eyes, the jigsaw is completed more quickly and often with more laughter. Doing puzzles together brings out different approaches, enriching everyone involved. Puzzling is a meditative and sociable activity that creates a natural backdrop for conversation, thereby strengthening the bond with a friend, family member or partner.
To sum up
Puzzling is like life – it’s more fulfilling when you:
- have a framework
- break a big task into smaller pieces
- work together and take a break from time to time
Share your puzzle on social media using the hashtag #artikpuzzles and tag @artikpuzzles on Facebook – we’ll be happy to share your achievement!
