Jigsaw Puzzles and Why They are Good for You ( First posted on thebarefootfoodie.org - 29 May 2017 )

 Footnote - Jigsaw Puzzles surfaced in a big way during the pandemic and helped retained my sanity during quarantined - 2020 - 2022 ) 

Jigsaw Puzzles and Why They are Good for You

MAY 29, 2017BAREFOOT HOME, BAREFOOT LIVING

I have been fascinated by jigsaw puzzles for as long as I can remember. They are something you can do all by yourself, or with someone else who cares to sit with you for hours. They come in all shapes and sizes, designs and colours, in varying degrees of difficulty. I am most comfortable with the 1000 to 1500 pieces, although my largest was 2000 pieces. Along the way, over the years, they were regrettably dismantled, repacked into their boxes and given away to thrift shops.

On a recent trip to Tagaytay, I visited the Puzzle Mansion, part museum, part B & B, set up by Gina Gil Lacuna in her family home. She earned a mention in the Guiness Book of Records for having the largest collection of completed jigsaw puzzles in the world – 1028 in all. I came, I saw, I gawked. It began with a 5,000 piece Mickey Mouse puzzle she bought for her son, Gino, thinking it was 500. That got her started more than 30 years ago and she kept going. As I went through the exhibits, deep regret came over me and I berated myself for not keeping the puzzles I had completed. I came back with a new found mission and a big shopping bag. I also rediscovered my long lost passion.

A work in progress

I started with sorting out the border and straight edges, followed by colours and distinctive designs. These pieces are bundled into ziplock bags. Then I get going, one bag at a time.

Ten Plus Reasons Why I love jigsaw puzzles

1. They take my time off shopping for other frivolous and mindless objects of affection
2. They are calming, therapeutic and totally absorbing
3. They teach me patience. I don’t lost my temper at them even though I may be stuck with pieces that do not fit
4. They are a lesson about life and people. Often, the pieces look like they do not belong but eventually, they fit into their designated slots
5. I do not get upset with missing pieces anymore because a jigsaw with a missing piece is a reflection about life – not all the pieces may fit neatly but it is still beautiful.
6. They give hours of pleasure and do not break your wallet.
7. You can still multi-task by playing an audio-book or your favourite music to enhance the experience
8. The difficult pieces,like difficult people, are often dark and not easy to work with, but they add layers and depth, and bring out the richness of the design.
9. By carefully sorting and organising, you work with the outline and framing, then the easier sections, and finally the other pieces in between. Have a framework and the big picture, then fill up the spaces.
10. The satisfaction you get at the end of every completed puzzle is pure joy
11. You get to indulge in your fantasies on the places you could go, things you can buy and bags you can own…
12. You don’t have to be clever or good-looking or rich to do this. It is a great equalizer for the masses

Completed!

Bags, bags, bags

This is by far the most challenging piece I’ve ever attempted

All 1500 pieces in place and intact

At some point, I had to take a break and get back to real life before opening another box. They have no expiry date, no reminder, only a gentle nudge from the far corner, and a prelude to many more hours of pleasure, one piece at a time.