Juzzpuzzles
What's your name?
Justine, also known as juzzpuzzles
Where are you based?
Adelaide, Australia
Tell us about what your ordinary day looks like.
My days are busy! I’m a mother of a very active and curious two-year-old girl, and currently pregnant with our second baby who is due in November. I’m on maternity leave at the moment, but I’m a middle school maths and science teacher. I also have a house leader role in student behaviour and wellbeing, so my hands are always full, whether I’m at home or at school! I love sport. I play netball (when I’m not pregnant), and I’m often watching sport on TV, usually with a puzzle in front of me.
How did you get into the world of puzzling?
I’ve loved puzzles my whole life! My mum was a puzzler, so I picked it up from her. She had a wooden puzzle board her dad had made her when she was much younger and she used to do 1000-piece puzzles on it semi-regularly. It wasn’t uncommon for there to be a half-finished puzzle on her board on the lounge room floor. I started borrowing her board in my early teens, and now she uses my collection as her personal puzzle library!
What makes you keep puzzling & how often do you puzzle?
I like to feel productive and I’m not very good at relaxing, so puzzles give me a sense of “doing something” while also allowing me to unwind. I puzzle almost every night after we’ve put our daughter to bed. Usually we’ll have sport on the TV and I’ll be sitting on the floor, puzzling on our coffee table.
What is your favorite type of puzzle?
The vast majority of my collection is 1000 pieces, but I like 1500s and 2000s too. I think my ideal count is 1500 but there aren’t that many 1500s out there. I don’t really do anything smaller than 1000. In terms of designs, I like a wide variety of art, from illustrations to abstract designs. The only thing I don’t really enjoy is landscapes, which is funny as I did landscapes a LOT before I started my insta page.
During puzzling sessions, do you listen to anything or puzzle in silence?
Usually sport, but if not I almost always have a podcast or YouTube video playing on my phone. I like puzzling in silence sometimes too, particularly when I’m overstimulated from parenting or school.
If you were to describe what puzzling means to you, what would it be?
Sanity.
Tell us about your other interests & joys.
The little one keeps me busy, and I love spending time with her, watching her discover the world around her, but I also enjoy writing. I’ve written stories for most of my life, and maybe one day I’ll try to get something published, but I’m not actively pursuing that at the moment.
Do you have anything you want to share?
I’m super grateful to be a part of the puzzle community on Insta. I never imagined there’d be so many wonderful people out there who love puzzling as much as I do. I’ve met some amazing people, and have been lucky enough to establish some really meaningful relationships through it.
