Lost your puzzle mojo? Me too. 😭 Here's how I found it again. 🧩

Every puzzle lover has experienced the feeling of getting so lost in a jigsaw puzzle that you lose track of time. Before you know it, it's 3am and you're still putting pieces together. I call it Jigsomnia - when you really should go to bed but stay up to do jigsaw puzzles instead.

But to my surprise, the self-titled Queen of Jigsaws and Mother of Puzzle Pieces started to lose interest in my subjects...

I lost all enthusiasm for puzzling a few months back. I went from staying up doing puzzles all night to not touching the one in front of me at all. I wondered if it was because I didn’t like this particular puzzle or if I was burnt out. 

I asked a puzzler-turned-friend for advice. She suggested that I try doing a small piece count jigsaw to restore my mojo; a quick 100-piece with an appealing image, and then return to the one that I'm not enjoying and see if I feel more motivated to complete it. If I'm still unenthusiastic, she said that there's no shame in recognising that a certain puzzle just isn't the right one for me, and to move on.

If you can relate to this feeling, you're not alone. Here are a few potential reasons why you might lose interest in jigsaw puzzles, and what you can do about it.

1. You’re burnt out.

Just like with any hobby, it's possible to reach a point of burnout with jigsaw puzzles. If you've been working on puzzles constantly, it's important to take breaks and give yourself time to rest and recharge. Trying out a new activity can be a great way to mix things up and prevent burnout. 

2. You're not challenged enough. 

If you're an experienced puzzle solver, it's possible that you've outgrown the level of difficulty of your current puzzle. In this case, try moving on to more difficult jigsaw puzzles to reignite your interest.

3. You don't like the puzzle design. 

It's possible that you simply don't enjoy the image on the puzzle you're working on. In this case, try a puzzle with aesthetically pleasing artwork that instantly captures your attention.

4. You’re stressed or anxious. 

Sometimes, the demands of everyday life can make it difficult to focus on puzzles. If you're feeling stressed or anxious, it might be best to take a break from puzzles and focus on self-care until you feel more rested and relaxed.

There are a number of reasons why you might lose interest in jigsaw puzzles. If this happens to you, try taking a break, finding a more challenging puzzle, or switching to a puzzle with a design you enjoy. And if you're feeling stressed or anxious, it's important to prioritise self-care. With a little bit of patience and mindfulness, the puzzle bug will come back again.

Namaste 🙏

No puzzle should ever remain unfinished. It’s the unwritten law of jigsaws! Just kidding. Don't be afraid to let go of a puzzle that is no longer bringing you joy and try something new. After all, the joy of puzzling is in the process, not just the end result.

Get involved! 🧩

Share your jigsaw puzzle burnout stories and advice in the comments below. I will try and feature as many as possible!

More from Rest In Pieces

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• The best jigsaw puzzle art 🎨
• Memes turned into jigsaw puzzles 😂
• Famous people who love to puzzle 🤩
• The Rise of PuzzleTok 📹

Get your mojo back with Rest In Pieces difficult, but not insanely headache inducing, jigsaw puzzles: