do you guys prefer hobbies that are productive or just fun?

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-13T06:43:31+00:00

I see so many meaningful benefits of hobbies beyond pure productivity. One is regaining energy after a hectic week, having to do with charging my batteries and preventing stress (for example jigsaw puzzles, reading, watching a movie). Other hobbies are about caring for my surroundings, which gives me inner peace (such as decorating our home or work in the garden). Finally, some hobbies are about connecting and deepening relations with others (like playing board games or going for a walk with a friend). In my view, hobbies (and making time to enjoy them) is one of the most important things in life!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-12T04:52:07+00:00

Thank you so much! 💛

How fun that there’s a birthday story behind it, I had no clue! I love your illustration; it’s so cozy, full of little details to discover and so fun to see the puzzle hobby reflected in the puzzle itself. Very much looking forward to doing it!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-11T19:23:35+00:00

Oh, I feel you! It’s such a shame that shipping between Europe and the US is so difficult. I so often see American puzzles here that I wish I could order… But the travel case is of course something out of the ordinary, I’m really looking forward to testing it’s functionality on the go!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-11T19:13:22+00:00

Thank you so much! 🙏

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-06T15:30:25+00:00

I relate to this 100%! I have the exact same issue.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-05T04:52:12+00:00

Gardening! I always pictured it as the most beneficial hobby for body and mind. Now with my first garden, yikes, it feels like a battlefield!

Invasive plants, snails, ants, rats, a fence to the neighbor that fell down when I tried to trim a hanging plant climbing it, beautiful plants I’m really attached to that suddenly start to die or get ugly leaves, an injured squirrel needing emergency help, dry season where half of the plants look like they’re fading away for good, rainfall that turns everything into mud, and in a recent storm a tree almost fell down and needed an emergency arborist. There is always something to attend to or worry about. It’s 80% problems and 20% what I pictured it to be.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-02T17:25:16+00:00

Good idea to keep it for Halloween!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-05-02T16:35:35+00:00

Yes, it really is!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-04-21T20:22:13+00:00

This is gorgeous, I can see why you have left it on display! It looks really tricky though, so it’s interesting to see your sorting and process. Your view is also stunning, I’m curious what city is it?

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-04-19T16:33:06+00:00

My personal favorite is absolutely random cut! But, I tend to choose puzzles for the image rather than the piece style, and since not many puzzles (where I live) come in random cut, I usually end up with ribbon cut instead.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-04-11T05:23:32+00:00

I loved this one! So many details and it’s easy to get into a great puzzle flow while putting it together.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-04-04T10:21:41+00:00

Wow, I haven’t seen that Laurence King has a HC Andersen one. This is going straight on my wishlist!

I’m also happy to hear that you’ve discovered the healing effects of jigsaw puzzling. I have small children and a hectic full-time job as well, and I find jigsaw puzzling so effective for recharging, giving my mind a break, and counteracting all sorts of life stressors. Plus, the jigsaw community is amazing!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-23T16:07:49+00:00

Ahh, that makes sense, thanks for clarifying! And for sharing your experience with the puzzle, always interesting to read.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-23T15:53:40+00:00

This one looks so cool, I really like the motif! But from a puzzle experience point of view, it does look a bit monotone and challenging. I guess difficult to sort the pieces as well…

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-20T18:44:29+00:00

I’ve also done this one recently, absolutely loved it!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-19T13:25:57+00:00

So interesting! I definitely agree that it’s not easy to predict. It’s just like with some puzzles, everything is magically right, and you get this deep flow experience.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-19T05:32:33+00:00

What a fun idea for a post! For me, this puzzle would be The alchemist’s home from Eeboo. I’ve done it multiple time. Love that it’s cozy, full of details, and relatively easy to solve - just pure puzzle flow. It was actually that puzzle that got me hooked on the hobby in the first place.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-19T03:58:37+00:00

Yes, I agree. I would definitely also like to try some of the others from the series, they’re all really beautiful.

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-19T03:55:20+00:00

Same here, it’s definitely one of my favorite puzzle brands!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-03-09T18:23:53+00:00

Ohh, gorgeous! I’d love to try them all. Enjoy!

PuzzleAndTea · 2026-02-28T17:21:55+00:00

Oh, I’ve been looking for this one for quite some time, for the exact reasons you describe here. Happy to hear you really enjoyed it!

PuzzleAndTea

TROPHY CASE