The Guardian published a delightful article today from Rachel Hosie on the calming powers of jigsaw puzzles. I highly encourage you to read the whole article (it’s short), but I want to call your attention to this paragraph that explains the feeling perfectly:

“I found that first puzzle during a particularly anxious period of my life. I was newly freelance, adjusting to big life changes like getting married, quitting my job and moving abroad within the space of three weeks. I felt as if things were speeding out of control. So it was pleasing and unexpected to find that doing the puzzle calmed my anxiety like nothing had before.”

Last September, I left my husband after 24 years together. I moved into a new place and truly lived on my own for the first time ever, at the age of 53. My last work contract ended a few weeks later. My entire life felt like a never-ending whirlwind. I suddenly had nothing but free time and had no idea what to do with it.

On a lark, I decided to order some jigsaw puzzles. I’d always enjoyed doing them in the past but had not done them much in the past 24 years for…reasons. And getting them was like seeing an old friend, feeling the love and talking as if no time had passed at all. Doing a puzzle stopped me from doomscrolling and overthinking. It relieved my stress and anxiety. It gave me a feeling of satisfaction. It made me happy.

In these connected-all-the-time times, puzzles can help us to feel grounded and to stay in touch with our physical existence. The next time someone gives you side-eye when you tell them you love jigsaw puzzles, share that Guardian article with them and encourage them to give puzzling a try.