Let’s Talk About “The Right Way” to Puzzle
As someone who shares a lot of puzzles online, I’m always a little surprised by some the comments I get about how I’m doing a puzzle and how to do them the right way.
“You didn’t start with the edge and that annoys me.”
“That puzzle is ugly. Why would you do it?”
“How come you didn’t glue it? That’s such a waste of time.”
Did you know this grass puzzle is the top seller for the brand All Jigsaw Puzzles
And it always makes me wonder: Can you actually puzzle wrong?
I’ve never claimed to be an expert. If anything, I am constantly learning new strategies from my subscribers and other puzzlers. There are so many different ways to approach a puzzle, and that’s honestly part of what makes this hobby so fun. But whenever I see those kinds of comments, my first thought is always the same: why does it bother you?
Puzzling is personal. Some people love structure. Some people thrive in chaos. Some people want a challenge, and others just want something relaxing to do at the end of the day. There isn’t one “correct” way to enjoy it, even though social media can sometimes make it feel like there is.
I think a lot of that comes from people only seeing one way of doing things over and over again. Edge first. Sort everything. Follow a system. And while those methods absolutely work for some people, they are not the only way to puzzle.
If you’ve tried puzzling and didn’t enjoy it, I’d argue there’s a good chance it wasn’t you.
It was the puzzle. Maybe the image was too busy and hard to separate visually. Maybe the piece count was too big and felt overwhelming. Maybe the colors all blended together and nothing stood out. Or maybe you just didn’t connect with the image enough to stay interested.
That’s why I always recommend starting smaller. A 300 piece or 500 piece puzzle is a great place to begin—it gives you that satisfying feeling of finishing without turning it into a long, frustrating project. From there, you can always work your way up if you want more of a challenge.
Now, I’ve gotten some comments over the years that honestly left me baffled. Things like, “Real puzzlers do 1000 pieces.” Ummm… what?! Since when is there a minimum piece count to enjoy a puzzle?
Smaller piece counts serve a lot of purposes. They’re perfect for new puzzlers learning strategy, for anyone working with limited table space, or for those days when you only have an hour and can’t leave a puzzle out. And for me personally, I genuinely enjoy them. Smaller puzzles often have larger pieces, which makes a big difference on days when my rheumatism is acting up and handling standard-sized pieces just isn’t comfortable.
At the end of the day, the “right” piece count is whatever works for you.
And just as important, pick something you actually like. It sounds simple but it makes a huge difference. Whether you’re into cozy scenes, animals, travel destinations, or something more abstract, choosing from a wide range of jigsaw puzzles that genuinely interest you will keep you coming back to the table.
You may have also seen the rise of speed puzzling. While it has gotten buzz and interest, many puzzlers have said, "But puzzles are supposed to be relaxing!" Some puzzlers want to puzzle for a cozy night in and other's like the chaos and speed of puzzling as fast as they can.
Watching someone puzzle differently than you might feel frustrating, especially if you’ve found a system that works really well for you. But that doesn’t make the other way wrong. It just means people enjoy different parts of the process and hobby. If you do love speed puzzling, that is amazing! I have tried my share of the "sport". While I do love my cozy nights in, I also love the thrill of competition. sorting,
The same idea applies to what happens after the puzzle is finished. Some people glue every puzzle they complete and turn them into wall art. Others take them apart immediately and move on to the next one. Some people keep their favorites. Others pass them along to friends or donate them. None of those choices are better than the others.
If you love displaying your finished puzzles, using puzzle glue is a great option. But if you enjoy the process more than the final product, taking it apart doesn’t make it a waste of time. The value comes from the experience, not just the end result.
At the end of the day, puzzling is supposed to be enjoyable. It can be relaxing, challenging, social, or even a little meditative depending on how you approach it.
Whether you start with the edges or the middle, sort everything or nothing, choose bold busy images or soft simple ones, glue every puzzle or never glue a single one; it’s all valid. The only “wrong” way to puzzle is forcing yourself through one you’re not enjoying.
Emilee Frost
@thecasualpuzzler
I had a workmate tell me her daughter didn’t understand why I would work a 300 or 500 pc puzzle. Because I enjoy them. That’s why I will work smaller count puzzles. Same reason I will work a 1500 pcs puzzle. It always amazes me how ppl get judgmental with how you do a hobby. Great post
Nice submission regarding puzzling. I first got my first experience with doing puzzles with my aunt. I like sorting my pieces and putting together the edges first. I only choose puzzles that I would enjoy doing and gluing then framing them.
I always start with the edges, prefer 1000 piece puzzles and an occasional 1500 piece puzzle. I sort by colors and always feel a great sense of accomplishment when I complete one .I list the completed puzzles on Ebay for $.99 or donate to charity. I find it to be an enjoyable pastime.
Thanks for sharing this perspective. We all puzzle for enjoyment. We should do it the way that brings the most happiness - whatever that is for us. Good message.
You do you girl!!! I enjoy doing puzzles as well. I’ve done puzzles and have them framed or I do them and then donate them to nursing homes.
Absolutely so many ways to approach things! Our family likes puzzles with large-pieces, 500 or fewer pieces, with a more contemporary design. Vision issues, dealing with cancer and the long-term side effects of chemo/radiation, are what drive our choices.
Correct on all comments! I have only done one speed event and will do another this July (both at Puzzle Warehouse) and I don't care what place I finish. It's being with other puzzlers and holding a Puzzle. Maybe in the future I'll be more competitive, but right now it's the love of puzzling.
My mother instilled me with “puzzle love” and i am SO grateful! I trade with a close friend, and she insists that putting the edge pieces in a baggie when dismantling is “cheating”.🤭 and I love love love my discovery of PUZZLE WAREHOUSE!!!!!!
Love the blog as always, different strokes for different folks, but always interesting. 1000 piece for relaxation and I take a picture of each which goes in my iphone and before that in a digital frame and before that glued on cardboard. I've been around a long time.
I love your approach to puzzling. I take all of mine apart the following day, after giving myself a bit of time to admire it and take a quick photo for a folder on my phone. I love that you encourage everyone to do it their own way. I rediscovered puzzling later in life and am loving all the choices. Thank you for introducing me to many new brands and for your genuine style.
I agree with you 100 percent. As a slower, more relaxed puzzler, it's all about the process for me. Love your YouTube content, especially brand reviews and vlogs. Take care and happy puzzling.
We enjoy putting the puzzle together. If the picture is one that is interesting to hang up, we do get it framed. Otherwise, we pass the puzzle on to the local thrift store, making sure no pieces are missing. We choose a puzzle for the picture and not the number of pieces involved.
Great read. I enjoyed your puzzling perspectives and I 👍🏾 concur.
Well said! I have mild OCD and it is vitally important for ME to complete the edge first, I just have to. Having said that, why should it bother me how others approach their own puzzles? We all of us must find our own way of puzzling, which brings us the greatest joy, what ever that joy looks like.