Putting the pieces together: Avid puzzlers share their passion for the hobby

A puzzle of the Peanuts characters completed by Aimee Fortier. (Source: Aimee Fortier)

Whether it’s working solo, taking part in competitions or hosting exchanges, Manitobans with a passion for puzzles say the hobby is a perfect fit.

It’s a therapeutic exercise that requires patience, skill and a keen eye for detail, while also acting as a fun pastime that’s accessible for all different demographics.

“They’re affordable. You can do them at home. You can do them by yourself. You can do them with others,” said Aimee Fortier, who completes about two puzzles a week.

“You can sit down and focus on them, or you can do them to keep your fingers and brain busy while you’re watching TV or listening to a podcast.”

From 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles to sophisticated Rubik’s cubes, it’s all about finding your niche when it comes to puzzles.

A passion for puzzles 

When speaking to avid puzzlers, it’s clear everyone has their own reasons for why they love the hobby.

For Tiffany Parada, puzzles are a therapeutic activity that help her get through the tough times. She said it’s healing for her to go piece by piece.

“For me, I’m currently going through some health issues and the jigsaw puzzles have helped me so, so much,” she said.

“I just love completing the puzzle and having that sense of accomplishment.”

For others, it’s all about the challenge of doing something difficult and using your brain in different ways.

“The number of skills I find that I’m using, like some visual skills, I’m using my hands or tactile [skills]. I’m using my brain and cognitive skills,” said puzzle enthusiast Jeanette Bergmann.

Fortier said she prefers puzzles that catch her attention with their beautiful colours.

“I know for me; it absolutely has to make my eyes happy. That’s how I will determine whether I’m going to do a puzzle,” she said.

The community aspect

Though puzzles may seem like a solo pastime, there’s lots of ways it brings people together.

Eight times a year, Parada hosts the Parking Lot Puzzle Exchange. This involves people gathering in the lots of either Polo Park or Ikea to swap goods out of their trunks.

“It’s basically puzzle for puzzle,” she explained.

“So, if you see a puzzle that you like then you bring that person back to your car, and if they like one of your puzzles, then the exchange happens.”

Parada said the exchanges are popular events, adding that there could be upwards of 75 to 100 people.

“They’re a lot of fun. There have been no puzzle fights,” she laughed.

“Everybody is very kind. And if someone doesn’t like a puzzle, they just move on. There’s hundreds, hundreds of puzzles to choose from.”

Beyond these exchanges, people take part in puzzle competitions where they race to see who can finish fastest. This includes Bergmann, who is part of a puzzle team that has won two Manitoba championships and is hoping for more.

“I think that’s why I like puzzling too, because I can do it alone, but I can also do it in a group or as a team or a pair,” she said. “I just find it’s friendly competition.”

A different type of puzzle

Though the classic jigsaw puzzle may be the most popular, there are other options in the mix.

Brennan Rhodenizer has a love for speed cubing, which involves solving Rubik’s cubes and similar puzzles in the fastest time possible.

Through this passion, he started a club at the music school he worked at and has facilitated speed cubing competitions.

He added that he enjoys speed cubing because it challenges his mind and makes him think outside the box.

“There is the motivation of just bettering one’s times and learning to do the craft better and find better solutions and optimizing the way you’re approaching the solve,” Rhodenizer said.

A specific way to puzzle

Within the world of classic jigsaw puzzles, people have their preferences when it comes to brands and images.

Parada said she doesn’t mind different shapes or if there are missing pieces but prefers puzzles with bright colours and scenic images.

“There are people that prefer certain brands because of the structure of the puzzle pieces. They’re thicker, they’re denser. They’re not as floppy as the cheaper puzzles,” she said.

“There are people that prefer scenic over animals, or they just want animals. They just want weather. They just want flowers. Everyone is very specific in what they want and that’s OK.”

Fortier said some people have their own specific ways they like to do their puzzles, while others are more flexible with their strategies.

“Some people would feel very strongly that you’ve got to do your edge pieces first,” she said.

“It’s interesting. People have favourite brands and favourite ways to do a puzzle.”

How to get started

For those who may feel intimidated to get into puzzles, Bergmann recommended just giving it a try and not allowing it to stress you out.

“If you find that you’re working on a puzzle and you don’t like it, try a little bit more,” she said.

“But if it doesn’t work, pack it up and try another one.”

Parada suggested to start out small and not begin with a 1,000-piece puzzle. She added you can even begin with a kids’ puzzle.

“If you try a kids’ one and you get that sense of accomplishment and get the fun out of it that people do, then it’s a worthwhile hobby for sure.”