Sometimes it’s so difficult to read tone and inflection online. Did they mean to sound so snarky? Do they not realize how that sounds, or am I putting my own attitude into these words? I read something online about the piece counts that puzzlers prefer and it may have been me, but some of the comments seemed to belittle people who did any puzzles less than 1000 pieces.
I’m sure a bit of it is me, I’ve been having such a difficult time with my anxiety that sometimes opening a box with 1000 pieces makes me extremely anxious and even upset. All those pieces, it just seems like too much. That said, it isn’t all just my emotions – some people spoke as though it was beneath them (and others) to work a puzzle under 1000 pieces; as though people who work smaller puzzles are less accomplished or intelligent. What is the purpose of that?
The world is an unfriendly and harsh place at times, why bring that outside world and it’s crankiness to fellow puzzlers who love reassembling chopped up pieces of cardboard and wood just like you? I don’t understand it, and it’s upsetting to me. Some people are unable to work larger puzzles because of a physical or psychological difference or limitation; and some people just prefer a smaller piece count. As far as I’m concerned, every small puzzle completed is just as beautiful and beneficial as a giant puzzle with 5000 pieces.
Who cares if my piece counts don’t measure up to yours, or yours to mine? So what if it takes you 2 days to complete your puzzle and it takes me a month? What matters is that we share the love of a hobby; that we find places online to meet, read about, or discuss that hobby. Not the petty competitiveness of making yourself feel better by bringing others down. Sigh.
I love puzzling. I love puzzles. Every size, every piece count – from 4 pieces to 40,000 – I find them all fun and entertaining in their own way. It isn’t up to me or anyone else to judge what puzzles you like, or like to assemble. If a quick and easy 100 or 300 piece puzzle makes you happy, fantastic! If you only work 1000 piece puzzles, you’re awesome! If your favorites are puzzles larger than 3000 pieces, that’s amazing! If you love jigsaw puzzles then you’re a fellow traveler and I’m so happy to meet you!
When you pick up a piece there’s a small pause; you consider the color, shape, and pattern – where should it go? How should I turn it? Where does it fit? Perhaps we should all pause for a bit before we speak (or type). Consider the shape of the comment, how it’s “color” will be received, does it fit in with the kindness we hope to receive when communicating with others? Just a small pause to consider, maybe that’s all that’s needed.💗
Happy puzzling my friends!
My Jigsaw Journal 
I totally agree. I just started doing puzzles and I started with a 1000 piece. And it took me a long time but I enjoyed is. Then I did a 750 and again I enjoyed it. It’s a hobby not a competition. So just relax and enjoy what ever the piece count is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely right! Your hobby should be what you want it to be, not what anyone else thinks it should be. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
LikeLike
Hear hear! To me you are the Queen of all puzzlers. I am in awe of your output and love of our hobby. There will always be snobs. Like people who immediately turn over your gorgeous embroidery to see what it looks like on the back! As if it matters! I think youre bloody marvellous. Im interested in all the puzzles you do. I love to sometimes do a puzzle that i dont have to stew over and can really get a move on and enjoy. Never mind the snarks and keep on puzzling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Merylee! The snobs absolutely bewilder me, I don’t understand why you can’t just say “pretty puzzle, but it’s not for me” without trying to make someone feel less than because it doesn’t have enough pieces (according to you).
I hope here people can see and talk about puzzles of all sizes and shapes – and I definitely won’t allow any snarky talk! (Well, I’m snarky sometimes, but it’s never aimed towards anyone at all!)
LikeLike
I wholeheartedly agree, Stacey! Puzzling should be a judgment free hobby. If you like to puzzle, regardless of the size, you are a fellow enthusiast and that deserves their respect. People should limit their comments to things like, “Wow. That’s a pretty picture.” Or, “Ohh, I bet that was not an easy one to assemble,” given all the sky parts or lack of color variation. There’s no need to belittle anyone for the puzzles they do and their size.
The ones who also really frustrate me are the ones who do like to do large count puzzles, but consider it “less than” or “cheating” if the person completes these large puzzles in bagged sections rather than mixing all the pieces together and doing it as one large puzzle of whatever size the total piece count encompasses. I don’t care if they tell me, “Ohh well you really only completed four 6,000 piece puzzles and not a true 24,000 piece puzzle.” Excuse me! I did complete ALL 24,000 unique pieces…even if it were only 6,000 at a time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear ya sister! Like they’re the purists and we only dabble or something. Ugh. Why do they have to make others feel bad to make themselves feel better. They’re entitled to their opinions, of course, but there’s no need to use those opinions to hurt other people’s feelings.
On a side note, did you finish it???? I can’t wait to see pictures!!! WTG Penny! (And you put together all 24,000 pieces no matter what any of the bleeping morons have to say!)
LikeLike