Life Series Returns
A Cozy Reflection on puzzles, art, and the joy we've shared at SOONNESS
Written by Soon Cho / September 18, 2025 / Profile photo: Original Life Series
Hi friends, Soon here.
I can’t believe I’m writing this… but the Life Series is finally coming back. Not just one or two, but all three of the original Life puzzles: Forest, Marine, and Arctic.
This series holds a special place in my heart - not just because they were the first puzzles I ever released, but because they accidentally turned into something so much bigger than I could’ve imagined. So today, I wanted to share a little story. A behind-the-scenes diary of how this whole Life Series began, what it has meant to me, and why I’m so excited (and a little emotional) to bring them back. Whether you’re new to SOONNESS or have been puzzling along since the early days, I hope this piece feels like a warm cup of tea.
How It All Began: A Puzzle Named Forest Life
Back in 2020, I had just finished self-publishing my first illustrated book, Finding Niña - a passion project filled with detail-heavy drawings and hidden character named Niña. It didn’t sell much to tell you the truth, but something in that process helped clarify my illustration style, and which direction I should go as an artist.
Around that time, I was on a career break and since the world was in a quarantine mode, I was thinking about going all in freelancing and creating an income on my own. When I asked my friend (and ex-colleague) about what I could do, she told me, "a friend who saw your picture book said these would make fun puzzles!" A little lightbulb flickered on in my head. Could I do that? Could I actually make puzzles? I didn’t have experience in the puzzle industry. I didn’t have a big following. But I had this deep itch to try. So I sat down and drew the first artwork, which ended up being Forest Life. It was a cozy, magical forest scene filled with animals doing quarantine-inspired human activities: practicing yoga at home, baking cookies, working from home, or picnicking in nature. I wanted every corner of the image to feel like a mini story.
I created it with the puzzle format in mind - textures, variety of colors, and delightful little details to discover (though looking back, the green parts could’ve used more texture to make it easier. Well, a challenge for puzzlers!). And when I finally printed it and saw someone post their completed puzzle online… it was one of the best feelings in the world.
They got it. They saw the story. They laughed at the birdie watching Netflix in a tree, and the deer guarding his bag of chips. They pushed through the challenge, and found joy in every piece. In that moment, I felt truly connected to them.
From One to Three: The Series That Named Itself
After Forest Life, I had just enough savings to make one more puzzle: Marine Life. I wasn’t thinking “series” at all - just trying to keep the dream going.
But the response to Marine was even stronger. Puzzlers were tagging their friends, writing love notes to the octopus knitting on a coral couch, and saying things like, “Can’t wait to add this to my Life Series collection!”
Wait. Life Series?
That’s when it hit me. This wasn’t just about individual puzzles. This was about a whole whimsical world I was building - one where animals and objects lived their own secret little lives, and we got to peek in for a while. By the time Arctic Life arrived (our cozy, wintry third puzzle), the series had a name, and a life of its own.
And what started as a small experiment became a core part of SOONNESS.
What Makes a Life Puzzle… a Life Puzzle?
The secret sauce? Whimsy, warmth, and relatability. Each Life puzzle was designed around a season, an emotional mood, and a loose theme of everyday activities:
- Forest Life: Fall feelings, magical coziness, inspired by the quiet comforts of quarantine.
- Marine Life: Summer energy, outdoor adventures, freedom and movement after lockdowns.
- Arctic Life: Winter warmth, self-care, hibernation vibes, and finding joy in slowing down.
These themes helped shape the scenes - and of course, the animals! I always imagine which animal might do what if they lived like us. A squirrel doing yoga? Yes. A fish getting ready for a date? Why not. A polar bear watching TV with pizza and ice cream? That one is still one of my favorites.
Every puzzle is also sprinkled with my character Niña - a quiet wanderer you can find in almost every puzzle I create. She’s not the star, but she’s always there, noticing things.
And yes… puzzlers love spotting her in the Life Series.
(Can you find her in the image below? - A section from Marine Life)
The Community Made It Real
When I say the puzzle community shaped this series, I mean it. I’ve received the most heartwarming messages from people saying they felt seen by certain scenes - like the little deer hugging his bag of chips not wanting to share his snack, or the owl proudly announcing, “YESSS. Found it!” when finding that puzzle piece she was looking for. Many puzzlers told me they redo these puzzles again and again, especially when they need something comforting but still engaging. It’s the right balance - not too easy, not too hard, and always something new to notice. Some even told me they introduced their friends to puzzling through the Life Series. I’ve seen moms puzzling with kids, friends gifting them for birthdays, and couples finishing one together with a glass of wine on a Sunday. These stories, your stories, are what made this series more than just a trio of puzzles. You made it a thing. A cozy little universe.
Top photo by @otterspacepuzzler / Bottom photo by @goodnightclocks
My Own Journey Alongside
As the Life Series grew, so did I. When I first started SOONNESS, I had no idea how to run a product-based business. I was just an artist who wanted to share her drawings. I had to learn about manufacturing, logistics, packaging, marketing… and wow, that learning curve was steep.
But I also learned how to stay true to my values: small batch, high quality, artist-focused, and community-centered. I realized I didn’t want to mass produce just for the sake of growth. I wanted to create things with love - and only when they were truly needed.
Launching my Pick & Preorder model was a big leap. It was risky. But it worked. It allowed me to produce only what was in demand, avoid overstock and waste, and include my community in every step of the decision-making. Now, people even ask, “When’s the next Pick & Preorder?” That still amazes me.
This model feels right for SOONNESS. It honors the joy of creating together, the excitement of choosing, and the trust we’ve built.
From My Hands to Yours
Running a small business isn’t easy. There are constant challenges- issues with the factory, shipping hiccups, tech glitches, and sometimes missing pieces.
But I’ve come to see these as part of the journey- the price of having the chance to share joy through puzzles. I try to meet each situation not with a script, but as myself. Because I’m not just a shop, but a real person behind the scenes. I design the puzzles, work closely with the factory, check samples, manage logistics, write many emails... and I’m the one replying to your message, too.
Some days it’s exhausting. But most days, I’m filled with gratitude.
- I get to wake up and make things that make you happy.
- I get to champion independent artists and get to know them.
- I get to see your finished puzzle photos and hear your stories.
- I get to read your emails when you say, “This brought me so much joy.”
It’s a beautiful cycle of giving and receiving. Of creating and connecting.
Why Now: A Full Circle Moment
After a few years and a handful of new releases (Kitchen Life and Space Life), I wasn’t sure when or if the original three would come back (if ever). There’s always a long list of to-dos, and new ideas tugging for attention. But after almost three years, with so many requests and fond messages from the puzzle community, I knew it was time to bring them back. And this summer, something shifted. A planned Christmas project didn’t work out, and suddenly the space opened up.
And just like that, it felt right. Like the puzzles were saying, “We’re ready to come home.” So here we are. I’m bringing back Forest, Marine, and Arctic Life - just as they were, same artwork and same joy, but with improved packaging and refreshed energy. If you’re a long-time fan, I hope this feels like reuniting with old friends. If you’re new, I’m so excited for you to meet them. Either way, I hope these puzzles find their way into your cozy nights, lazy weekends, and holiday slow-downs. And maybe even become a tradition you return to every year.
Photo by @mintyfizz_puzzles
What’s Next?
To be honest… I don’t know exactly. And I kind of love that.
I might expand the Life Series again in the future (ideas are always bubbling), or I might let it live on as a five-puzzle story. What I do know is that this reprint is my way of honoring where SOONNESS started - and saying thank you.
Thank you for puzzling with me. For posting. For sharing. For cheering me on. For helping a tiny artist with a big dream find her people.
This series is yours as much as it is mine. So let’s puzzle, laugh, spot Niña, and make some more memories.
See you in the Life Series.
With love,
Soon
