Puzzled Fox
What's your name?
Puzzledfox / Karen
Where are you based?
Perth, Australia
Tell us about what your ordinary day looks like.
I often wake up to my kitty Momo in my bed, and lament that I can't stay snuggled up with him a little longer...
Working in an office is a big chunk of my weekdays so I try to make time to step outside every day at lunch or after work for a walk to reset and get some fresh air.
At some point I'll probably be browsing for puzzles... whether it's wandering through an op shop (what we call thrift stores in Australia) or with far too many tabs open for various puzzle stores...
One of the best parts of my everyday routine is settling down in the evenings with a puzzle. Momo is often nearby snoozing, and he loves to lounge on a quality puzzle. Chances are I'll be up past my bedtime looking for 'just one more piece'...
How did you get into the world of puzzling?
I liked to puzzle as a kid, but it sort of fell into the background as I was in school. I rediscovered my love for puzzling as an adult during a rough patch a few years ago when I picked up a puzzle at a game store... Little did I know that puzzling would become such a huge and important part of my life!
Since then I've bought so many puzzles that I keep track of them in a spreadsheet, attended some wonderful puzzling events, and made some lovely in-person and online friends in the puzzle community.
What makes you keep puzzling & how often do you puzzle?
I puzzle because it brings me joy to piece together a beautiful image. It’s a familiar rhythm, and it makes me happy. Sometimes it helps me unwind or calm down after a difficult day.
I like to puzzle every day, minus the occasional sleepy evening when I curl up into bed early or when I'm away from home (chances are, wherever I am, I'll manage to find a puzzle somehow though!)
What is your favorite type of puzzle?
I love a cute, colourful puzzle - especially when it's filled with animals or has a fantasy twist! I particularly love puzzles featuring cats, and puzzles featuring woodland animals like foxes and hedgehogs. (My first ever Soonness puzzle, Forest Life, is one of my all time favourites!)
During puzzling sessions, do you listen to anything or puzzle in silence?
When I'm puzzling casually, I usually have a comfort tv show playing in the background. When I speed puzzle, music all the way! Right now I'm trying to figure out what music helps me puzzle fastest...
If you were to describe what puzzling means to you, what would it be?
Puzzling is when I feel most like me. It's hard to describe but the rest of the world and any worries feel less overwhelming when it's puzzle time. It's also been incredibly special to connect with people in-person and all over the world online through the love of puzzling.
Tell us about your other interests & joys.
One of my greatest joys is to spend quiet time with Momo, my purrfect kitty. I also love to get lost in a good story, whether that's on the page or screen, and going for walks around the nearby lake and saying hello to the little ducks and swans.
Do you have anything you want to share?
Just some appreciation for the puzzle community <3 Such a warm and wonderful bunch of people and I'm very grateful to be part of it!
