Okay, so today I decided to tackle something completely different – crossword puzzles! I’ve always loved word games, but I’ve mostly stuck to things like Scrabble. I figured, “Why not give crosswords a shot?” I’ve seen people doing them on the train, in coffee shops… it looked like a nice, relaxing way to challenge my brain.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed a crossword. I didn’t want anything too crazy, being a beginner and all. I went for the easiest level I could find on crossword websites and apps.
The Struggle is Real (But Fun!)
So, I started filling in the blanks. Some of the clues were super easy, like “A baby cat” (KITTEN, duh!). But others? Oh boy. I’m talking stuff like obscure historical figures or weird slang I’ve never heard of. That’s when things got interesting.
I spent a good amount of time just staring at the grid, racking my brain. Then, the “aha!” moments started happening. I’d get one word, and suddenly, a few letters in another intersecting word would make sense. It was like a little chain reaction of solving.
- Pencil Power: I highly recommend using a pencil. I made SO many mistakes. Erasers are your best friend here.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Skip: If a clue is totally stumping you, just move on. Come back to it later. Sometimes your brain needs a break.
- Think Outside the Box: Some clues are tricky! They might be puns or wordplay. Don’t take them too literally.
The Victory Lap (Sort Of)
I didn’t finish the whole thing in one go, and the easy level took me quite some time. I had to do it over the day. But, I got a good chunk of it done! And honestly, even the parts I struggled with were kind of fun. It felt like my brain was getting a real workout. I’m definitely going to try another one soon. Maybe I’ll even work my way up to those monster-sized Sunday puzzles someday!
