Don's Puzzle Obsession
What's your name?
Doni
Where are you based?
Melbourne, Australia
Tell us about what your ordinary day looks like.
I am a full time surgical nurse and midwife in a busy hospital in metropolitan Melbourne. When I’m not working you’ll generally find me puzzling and spending time with my kitty Squirt.
How did you get into the world of puzzling?
have been a casual puzzler most of my life but it only really became a part of my everyday life in 2020. When covid was a new thing, before vaccines and medication, my ward was forced to become the designated "Covid ward" of the hospital I worked at. I struggled a lot mentally and developed severe anxiety during this time. I remember seeing a Harry Potter puzzle online one day that peaked my interest and bought a copy. I was amazed with how puzzling it made me feel. It helped me relax and forget all of life’s worries, even if it was only during that puzzle session. The more I puzzled the more I realized how therapeutic it was for me and I wanted to puzzle more. Now it’s rare I go a day without puzzling!
What makes you keep puzzling & how often do you puzzle?
Puzzling really helps me unwind and relax after a long day! I love the endorphin release and how I feel when I piece together a puzzle. I puzzle daily when I can.
What is your favorite type of puzzles?
Anything bright and colourful with good quality matte pieces that interlock nicely. 1000 piece puzzles are my favourite but I also enjoy the occasional 500 and 2000 piece puzzle.
During puzzling sessions, do you listen to anything or puzzle in silence?
I often puzzle with a movie or TV show on in the background. I end up so immersed in my puzzles that it ends up being more like a podcast as I very rarely look up at the screen.
If you were to describe what puzzling means to you, what would it be?
A therapeutic obsession!
Tell us about your other interests & joys.
Other than puzzling I love to build Lego, paint my nails / do nail art, find something to binge on Netflix, play board games with friends and family, enjoy some fresh air at a local park and discover yummy treats.
Do you have anything you want to share?
Be kind to one another and happy puzzling! :)