How to declutter your puzzle corner
What's the story
Puzzle-solving is a meditative and fulfilling pastime, but a messy puzzle corner can quickly turn this calming hobby into a source of frustration.
A disorganized space can lead to lost pieces and a decline in motivation.
This article provides practical advice for tidying up your puzzle area, creating a peaceful environment that fosters focus and amplifies the joy of your puzzle-solving sessions.
Sorting
Sort and categorize your puzzles
Start by sorting your puzzles. Categorize them based on theme, difficulty level, or size.
This will allow you to easily locate the kind of puzzle you want to tackle without the hassle of rummaging through a messy pile.
Donate those puzzles that you no longer find appealing or those that are either too easy or too hard for your current skill level.
Storage
Invest in storage solutions
Storing them in shelving units, drawers, or bins designed for board games protects puzzles and keeps them tidy.
Big puzzles are best stored flat under a bed or couch to avoid bending. Small ones can be placed on a bookshelf or in a cube.
Clearly label each container with the puzzle inside to make it easy to find what you're looking for.
Space creation
Create a dedicated puzzle-solving space
If you can, try to have a dedicated space in your house for puzzling.
- It can be a permanent table with a puzzle mat, where you can leave your puzzles in progress without having them clutter up your space.
- This not only helps keep the rest of your house clean, but it also gets you in the right headspace when you sit down to puzzle.
Rotation
Implement a puzzle rotation system
To keep your puzzle corner fresh and exciting, implement a rotation system where only a select number of puzzles are accessible at any given time.
Store the rest away and swap them out periodically.
This method prevents feeling overwhelmed by choices and keeps your interest piqued with "new" challenges regularly.
Reviewing
Regularly review your puzzle collection
Every few months, make a cup of tea and sit down to go through your collection again.
As you get better at puzzling or your tastes change, you might find that some puzzles don't excite you anymore.
By being honest with yourself about what you like, you'll make sure that every puzzle in your collection is one you can't wait to start. That way, you'll always look forward to puzzling!