Una Pieza Más
What's your name?
Nathalia S. (One half of the nat & zuzu puzzling duo)
Where are you based?
NYC, USA
Tell us about what your ordinary day looks like.
I work in children’s publishing, reviewing bilingual children’s books and educational materials. I get to work from home most days, which is great because I get to spend time with my three fur babies. Lately, I’ve been really into The Amazing Race! It’s a show where teams of two travel around the world completing different challenges. It’s become my comfort show.
How did you get into the world of puzzling?
I truly got into puzzling in 2023. I was visiting family in Bolivia when I saw that my cousins had a bunch of childhood puzzles stacked on top of a closet, and I thought, hmm… that looks fun. When I got back home, I remembered a 500-piece puzzle I’d bought in 2020 but never started because it seemed too difficult. I gave it a try, and haven’t stopped puzzling since! Eventually, I asked my mom to join me. At first, even 500-piece puzzles felt difficult, but now we love a challenge. We actually completed a 2000-piece puzzle this January to ring in the new year—in just three days.
What makes you keep puzzling & how often do you puzzle?
I try to complete at least one puzzle per week. I love that it gives me a break from screens, and it’s something I share with my mom, which makes it extra special. There’s also a lot to learn from puzzling. It can be quite a meditative experience. It’s taught me that even when something feels overwhelming, you just need to take it one piece at a time, and slowly, you’ll see everything come together.
What is your favorite type of puzzle?
I typically do 500–1000 piece puzzles. It’s really important to me to support brands and companies that collaborate with real artists. I love original art with lots of detail and color, and I appreciate knowing how much care and intention the artist put into creating the image. I also have a soft spot for any puzzle that features cats! I enjoy puzzles with a satisfying fit and a good variety of unique piece shapes. Collage-style layouts are another favorite of mine.
During puzzling sessions, do you listen to anything or puzzle in silence?
I have a curated Spotify playlist called “the puzzle playlist” with over 18 hours of music, which we usually play on shuffle. It’s a collection of my mom’s and my favorite songs, and it’s become a fun way for us to share music, stories, and memories while we puzzle.
If you were to describe what puzzling means to you, what would it be?
It’s a chance to reset from fast-paced living and appreciate one of life’s simple joys (made even better when shared with someone you love).
Tell us about your other interests & joys.
I enjoy cross-stitching, dancing, at-home Pilates (I try to incorporate movement since I sit most of the day for work), and listening to audiobooks (memoirs are my favorite). I enjoy traveling, whenever possible, and learning about new places. (And of course, scouring the internet for new puzzles to buy!) I’ve also started junk journaling. It’s like a scrapbook for the little knickknacks you come across in daily life. There are no rules; it’s a chance to be messy and preserve memories through things you’d normally toss out.
Do you have anything you want to share?
Just a reminder to be a little kinder when you can. Our world needs you—your kindness, creativity, and unique point of view. Like a puzzle with a million pieces, we’re all interconnected, each of us an important part of the bigger picture. And don’t forget to do things that feed and nourish your soul. It’s hard to be kind to others if you’re not being kind to yourself first.
