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On Puzzles and Solitude

A few weeks ago, I asked my mom what special memories she had of me as a young child (2-6 years old). I was brainstorming what to write in my Common App. I wanted to start out my essay with some anecdote or childhood experience that was essential to my background, but my recollections were fuzzy. My mom's first answer was that I used to enjoy playing with jigsaw puzzles ever since I was 2 years old. I still have this picture in the photo album that features me playing with a 100 piece puzzle. After she said that, memories flooded in. 

The memories I have of puzzles aren't clear but there is something special about puzzles. I remember the peace and solitude that I experienced when I did puzzles. I was focused on building puzzles in the moment and I didn't let my thoughts distract me. Ok, I was in elementary school and my world was simpler but still there was something unique about my mind when I did puzzles. The word I can think of is that I entered a flow state. If you don't know what flow, it is a psychological term to describe a state of intense concentration and happiness. When I was assembling the jigsaw puzzle, my vision was concentrated on this imaginary world that I became immersed in. From American farm life to Christmas shopping, these places made me become curious about the world. 

I am glad my mom mentioned puzzles because I think this activity helped me lay the foundation to some important qualities that I have. When I did some difficult puzzles, especially the 1000 piece ones, I didn't want to give up. Seeing the pieces on the table, I knew that I had to finish it. Even if it would take me a couple of months to finish a Van Gogh or Picasso puzzle, the length of time didn't matter. What mattered was my daily commitment to try a piece or two. Puzzles reminded me of some independent project. 

Another trait I acquired from puzzles is developing focus and concentration. When I was younger, I would do the same 500 piece puzzles over and over again. Although the puzzle had the same artwork, each time was a new challenge for me to finish the puzzle faster than before. To achieve this, I needed focus. 

I stopped playing with jigsaw puzzles in middle school because I had more commitments and puzzles take up a lot of time. I think what I lost from not doing puzzles is being able to sit for a long stretch of time without any other sources of input. I mean, I write in my diary but that type of solitude isn't the same as doing a jigsaw puzzle. When I do jigsaw puzzles, the surroundings become quiet and your mind isn't scattered.  

What makes puzzles significant in the 21st century is that they are a reminder that people aren't able to do jigsaw puzzles anymore. Because of digital technology, we tend to be more distracted easily. We prefer the shiny screens of phones to jigsaw pieces because if the jigsaw puzzle is too hard or it starts to become boring, we start to go on the phone to text or watch videos. 

It has only been less than 10 years since I stopped actively playing with jigsaw puzzles, but it feels like something of the past. I reminisce about puzzles and also feel sad about how a substantial number of people nowadays can't enjoy puzzles because of constant distraction. 
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