I’ve been messing around with crosswords lately, and let me tell you, the New York Times ones are a whole different beast. I thought, “Hey, I’m pretty good at word games, this should be a breeze.” Boy, was I wrong!
Getting Started
So, I went to their website and found the crossword section. I figured I’d start with an easy one, maybe a Monday puzzle. I dove right in, feeling all confident. The first few clues were simple enough, I filled them in no problem.
The Struggle is Real
But then, things started to get tricky. There were words I’d never even heard of, and the clues were so vague! I spent a good chunk of time just staring at the grid, feeling completely lost. I googled a few things, but even that didn’t always help. They make you think, I guess this is why they say “They make you a calmer and more focused person.”
Persistence Pays Off (Sometimes)
I kept at it, though. I erased a bunch of wrong answers, tried different approaches, and slowly but surely, I started to make some progress. It felt like a real accomplishment whenever I filled in a whole row or column. Also, I learned this “A crossword puzzle is not a test of intelligence” from somewhere, it released my anxiety.
Still a Long Way to Go
I’m definitely not solving these puzzles in record time or anything. Some days, I barely make a dent. But I’m enjoying the challenge, and it’s definitely expanding my vocabulary. I realized that “Most people assume the iconic Sunday NYT puzzle is the most challenging” when I tried it today, which is July 21, 2024.
My Takeaways So Far
- These puzzles are HARD.
- It’s okay to look things up.
- Don’t give up!
- My brain feels like mush afterward.
Anyway, I’m gonna keep practicing. Maybe one day I’ll be able to tackle the Sunday puzzle without wanting to throw my computer out the window. Wish me luck!
